Surgical Endocrinology Fellowship

The Surgical Oncology department at MD Anderson is accepting applications for a two-year advanced training fellowship in surgical endocrinology. Fellows receive broad exposure to a variety of endocrine neoplasias, with emphasis on the evaluation, surgical approach, oncologic treatment, follow-up and genetics of endocrine tumors. Fellows also participate in weekly multidisciplinary treatment-planning conferences that include the general endocrine tumor, parathyroidand adrenal disease, genetics and the neuroendocrine medical oncology meetings.

Two fellowship positions are offered each year, each structured along separate, defined track: 

• For surgeons with general surgery training, the training is based within the Department of Surgical Oncology
• For surgeons with otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training, the training is based within the Department of Head and Neck Surgery

Both positions are distinct from complex general surgical oncology and head and neck fellowships which are also offered at MD Anderson.

The Surgical Endocrinology Fellowship provides broad clinical experience in endocrine surgery and nonsurgical rotations on endocrinology, medical oncology, adrenocortical carcinoma, neuro-endocrine tumors, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, abdominal imaging, genetics and cytopathology. Fellows gain surgical experience with dedicated endocrine surgeons and head and neck surgeons.  The fellowship curriculum is now designed for two years with mastery of benign, malignant, familial, and reoperative disease.

The curriculum includes advanced techniques such as minimal access surgery, posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, complex dissections for advanced thyroid tumors and reoperative neck and abdomen procedures. Fellows in the head and neck surgery track will not participate in abdominal endocrine cases.

The nonsurgical experience is with specialists in other departments and sections within the institution with a focus on endocrine disease. Clinical rotations within the departments of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Clinical Pathology, Genetics, Ultrasonography, Nuclear Medicine, Neuro and Abdominal Imaging, Phase I Clinical Trials, Radiation Oncology and Neuroendocrine Medical Oncology are
included.  Learning objectives include understanding of adjuvant treatments and personalized care.

Weekly and monthly multidisciplinary conferences in endocrine, parathyroid and adrenal tumors serve to expose the fellow to decision making, surrounding both routine and complex cases. MD Anderson’s Endocrine Center serves as the model for multidisciplinary endocrine care in a high-volume setting. Journal Club and hands on technical courses are aspects of the curriculum.  Exposure to clinical trials, frameworks, and design of epidemiologic studies, quality improvement and health care management are available and include close collaboration with the Rice Business School, The University of Texas School of Public Health and the Outcomes and Performance Improvement Departments at MD Anderson.

Selection process

Internal candidates within the two-year surgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson are strongly considered as are those with advanced training in research or another clinical or surgical mastery. If selected, the internal candidate will add one year of training to the two-year surgical oncology fellowship. External candidates will be reviewed, interviewed and selected based on those who have potential to lead
academic teams.

General surgery candidates with additional training in research or surgical oncology are encouraged to apply.

Head and neck candidates are encouraged to have the following: 

• Completed one year of advanced head and neck surgical oncology training beyond residency 
• Must be board-eligible in otolaryngology, plastic surgery or general surgery
  

Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Surgical Endocrinology

Nancy D. Perrier, M.D., FACS
Director, Fellowship Program
Department of Surgical Oncology
Chief, Section of Surgical Endocrinology
Associate Director, Endocrine Center
1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1484
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
PO Box 301402
Houston, TX 77030-4009

Email: nperrier@mdanderson.org
Rita Hernandez 713-792-0027