Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Reconstruction

The MD Anderson Head and Neck Surgical Oncology with Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship aspires to train individuals in state of the art multidisciplinary care for patients with head and neck cancer, develop leaders in the field of head and neck oncologic surgery, and provide a rigorous academic experience.

This is a two-year combined fellowship in the departments of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Plastic Surgery, thus offering a full year of intensive training in each discipline. The first year is dedicated to head and neck surgery clinical training. The second year is a pure reconstructive experience directed and supervised by the department of Plastic Surgery, where the focus is on reconstruction of head and neck surgical defects. Microvascular reconstructive training has a strong emphasis on applying advanced reconstructive techniques to repair complex defects, including the skills necessary for microvascular free tissue harvest and transfer. 

Selection Process

To be considered for a position, the candidate for the head and neck fellowship must have completed a residency program in Otolaryngology, General Surgery or Plastic Surgery. The time frame must be equivalent to the requirement to become, at minimum, chief resident; and preferable, should have attained Board eligibility. Candidates must have completed at least PGY V level of surgical education. The candidates are selected through a process that involves the review of a written application, including letters of reference from past mentors and program directors, followed by a personal interview.

Final selections are made during the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Match process, and in the following two to three months in order to fill all of the open positions. All interested U.S. and Canadian fellowship applicants must be registered with the Match Program of the Advanced Training Council for Approval of Training in Head and Neck Oncology Surgery (sponsored by the American Head and Neck Society) to be considered for a position.

MD Anderson does accept applications from foreign medical graduates who are not eligible for the Match Program. Applicants are required to undergo the same application process by submitting the AHNS application with the required references to the AHNS administrator. The AHNS administrator should forward all applications directly to the Department of Head & Neck Surgery at MD Anderson, c/o Kelley Mikeska.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

MD Anderson does not support the H1B visa for fellows.  The institutional preferred visa is the J1.