UTHEALTH HOUSTON MCGOVERN MEDICAL SCHOOL
TEXAS SINUS INSTITUTE
TEXAS SKULL BASE PHYSICIANS

INSTITUTION & ADDRESS

Texas Sinus Institute & Texas Skull Base Physicians
McGovern Medical School
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
6431 Fannin Street
MSB 5.036
Houston, TX 77030

SF MATCH PROGRAM ID#

2883

FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR

William C Yao, MD

FELLOWSHIP CO-DIRECTOR

Martin J. Citardi, MD
Amber U Luong, MD, PhD

DEPARTMENTAL MISSION STATEMENT

UTHealth Otorhinolaryngology will deliver world-class, patient-centered otorhinolaryngology-head & neck surgery care in a clinically-integrated academic medical center.

OVERVIEW OF FELLOWSHIP

Our goal is to offer the highest quality 1-year clinically focused rhinology training program. Through our fellowship training, we will help establish leaders that provide state-of-the-art clinical care, improve patient care standards, educate others, and perform research. The fellowship provides intensive neurorhinologic experience in a tertiary-care academic environment. Emphasis is placed upon management of paranasal sinus inflammatory disorders, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, revision sinus surgery, complex frontal sinus disease, revision sinus surgery, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, encephaloceles, endoscopic skull base surgery of benign and malignant sinonasal/skullbase neoplasms. The fellowship features a robust clinical experience (3 attending rhinologists) and research experiences (translational science program, postdoc and research coordinator). In addition, fellowship directors will provide mentorship to help define and achieve career goals.

FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION

Clinical Rotations:

The fellow works closely with all 3 rhinologists in the department in the clinic and operating room. As case schedule fluctuates, assignments are made on a weekly basis to ensure maximal surgical exposure while assure exposure with all 3 attending rhinologists. The fellow assignments are prioritized for participation in more complex revision cases and skull base cases. Moreover, the assignments will be dynamic to allow fulfillment of the fellow’s clinical interests

Weekly Schedule:

The weekly schedule mirrors the schedule of the attending rhinologists. On average, there are 1.5-2.5 days of OR and approximately 2.0 days of clinic and the remainder is devoted to administration and research

Research Responsibilities:

The fellow participates in the monthly rhinology administrative meeting. In that meeting, research projects and other administrative issues are actively managed. The fellow is expected to develop at least one clinical project and complete most of the work during the fellowship year. Prior fellows have typically developed multiple projects, some which are completed after the fellowship year concludes. Opportunities for bench-top research are present, but the short fellowship precludes active participation at the benchtop.

Diversity of Cases:

The fellowship is based in a clinically-integrated academic medical center, and as such, the case complexity is mostly at the tertiary-quaternary level (revision sinus surgery, frontal sinus surgery, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, CSF leak, benign and malignant tumors). The patients are primarily from the greater Houston area and southeast Texas; patients from other states and countries also seek treatment at TSI/TSBP.

2021-2022 Fellow's Case Log

Call Schedule:

The fellow participates in the faculty call schedule – if licensing permit. Currently, the call requirement is approximately 5 days per month. Senior and junior resident is always on call as well. The faculty covers call at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (primary training site) and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital (local safety net hospital).

Administrative Responsibilities:

The fellow is an active participant in the monthly rhinology planning meeting, which coordinates efforts of the faculty members, the fellow and residents in research and educational endeavors as well as practice administration (including reimbursement, marketing, reimbursement, et al.).

Additional Information:

The fellow participates in the routine academic activities of the department, including grand rounds, teaching conferences, CME courses, etc. All department members attend grand rounds; participation in the other activities is more selective.

Salary and Benefits:

Fellows are paid a salary set at the PGY-6 level set by the university. The anticipated annual salary for 2026-2027 is $86,025.

Fellows will also receive 3 weeks paid vacation and 1 week of educational leave. Health insurance, dental insurance, etc., are also available at little or no cost to the fellow. Benefits details may be viewed at https://med.uth.edu/gme/trainee-resources/trainee-benefits-stipends/.

More Information:

https://med.uth.edu/orl/education/fellowships/rhinology-fellowship/

CURRENT AND PAST FELLOWS

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT

Texas medical license, DEA, Texas DPS registration

APPLICATION INFORMATION

All applications must be submitted through the SF Match; the program participates in the rhinology fellowship match hosted by SF Match under ARS auspices.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The on-site interview is structured to give the applicant a broad introduction to all aspects of the program.

CONTACT INFORMATION

William C Yao, MD
[email protected]