Head and Neck, Cranial Base and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship

Head and Neck, Cranial Base and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship

The Vanderbilt Head and Neck, Cranial Base and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship is an outstanding one-year clinical position with the option to extend the fellowship to a second year to focus on clinical or basic science research. There are two positions available per year, beginning in July. This fellowship is offered through the American Head & Neck Society Match and is AHNS-approved.

Fellows in the Vanderbilt Head and Neck, Cranial Base and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery program also have the opportunity to participate in multiple global outreach programs to the Caribbean and Africa. Fellows utilize their medical and leadership skills by treating patients and training local physicians in head and neck surgical techniques.

Outstanding Faculty

Program Overview

The Vanderbilt Head and Neck, Cranial Base and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship curriculum include broad experience in head and neck oncologic surgery, with an emphasis on:

  • Endocrine surgery
  • Treatment of paragangliomas
  • Lesions of the parapharyngeal space
  • Cranial base lesions
  • Reconstructive surgery
  • Microvascular reconstruction

In addition, fellows are also clinical instructors at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, giving them experience and leadership in the academic setting. Fellows are also given surgical privileges at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and the VA Hospital.

Application Process

Applicants interested in the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship must meet the following requirements:

  • Physician currently in or has completed a General Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, or Plastic Surgery residency program
    • Program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
    • If candidate is not currently in ACGME-certified program, candidate must fulfill the necessary requirements to sit for the certification examination in one of these specialties by the respective American Board or the Canadian counterpart of the Royal College of Surgeons.
  • A valid full (not training) Tennessee medical license is required at the start of the fellowship.

Fellowship Director:

James L. Netterville, MD

Fellowship Faculty:

  • Eben Rosenthal, MD
  • Alexander J. Langerman, MD, SM
  • Kyle Mannion, MD
  • James L. Netterville, MD
  • Sarah L. Rohde, MD
  • Robert J. Sinard, MD
  • Michael C. Topf, MD

Program Coordinator:

Office of Education

Vanderbilt Head and Neck Surgery fellows become leaders in the field, both in academic and clinical settings. Of the 52 head and neck oncologic fellows we have trained so far, 45 are in university-based academic practice, and at least 23 are in leadership positions, including two Cancer Center Directors, six Chairs, a dozen Head & Neck Surgery Division Chiefs, and three Program Directors.

Current and past fellows include:

1990–1991: John Coniglio, MD
1991–1992: Frank Civantos, MD
1992–1993: John Wanamaker, MD
1993–1994: William B. Armstrong, MD
1994–1995: Robert J. Sinard, MD
1995–1996: Donald Weed, MD
1996–1997: Theodore N. Teknos, MD
1997–1998: Frank Miller, MD
1998–1999: Christopher Sullivan, MD
1999–2000: Alain Sabri, MD and Joseph Sniezek, MD
2000–2001: Mumtaz Khan, MD and Garth Olson, MD
2001–2002: Peter Hunt, MD, Terrence Johnson, MD and William Magdycz, MD
2002–2003: Robert Lorenz, MD and Paul van der Sloot, MD
2003–2004: George Coppit, MD and Derrick Lin, MD
2004–2005: Cecelia Schmalbach, MD and Scharukh Jalisi, MD
2005–2006: Jason Hunt, MD and Becky Massey, MD
2006–2007: Chad Zender, MD and Francis Ruggiero, MD
2007–2008: Nadir Ahmad, MD and Kyle Mannion, MD
2008–2009: Freedom Johnson, MD and Matthew Old, MD
2009–2010: Sarah Rohde, MD and Ronald Walker, MD
2010–2011: Kelly Cunningham, MD and Alexander Langerman, MD
2011–2012: Christian Hasney, MD and Clinton "Casey" Kuwada, MD
2012–2013: Benjamin Johnston, MD and Adam Lubinbuhl, MD
2012–2014: Eric Wirtz, MD (Inaugural Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2013–2014: Christopher Fundakowski, MD (Inaugural Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2013–2015: Kelly Groom, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2014–2015: John Heaphy, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2015–2016: Sunshine Dwojak, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2015–2016: Michael Sim, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2016–2017: Shethal Bearelly, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2016–2017: Alice Tang, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2017–2018: Jo-Lawrence Bigcas, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2017–2018: Justin Bond, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2018-2019: Brian Cervenka, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2018-2019: Nolan Seim, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2019-2020: Sarah Drejet, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2019-2020: William Stokes III, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)
2020-2021: Catherine Alessandra Colaianni, MD (Smith Family Fellow in Head and Neck Surgery)
2020-2021: Kevin J. Kovatch, MD (Caridad Bolivar Bacardi Fellow)