Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship

The Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is part of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Otolaryngology. This is a one-year ACGME accredited program of intensive training in the medical and surgical aspects of General and Advanced Pediatric Otolaryngology.

Comprehensive Training

Pediatric Otolaryngology at Arkansas Children's Hospital provides a comprehensive and unique variety of clinical and surgical cases for training fellows. We pride ourselves in providing complete training in every aspect of pediatric otolaryngology by offering a full breadth of otology, airway, craniofacial, vascular, sinus, and head and neck surgeries. Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty experts include 3 airway surgeons, 2 leaders in cleft lip and palate surgery, 4 complex otologists, 1 facial plastics surgeon, and 3 vascular anomaly specialists. Our program's close working relationships and collaboration with maxillofacial surgery and plastic/reconstructive surgery also add unique and additional training in complex craniofacial operations. With a national and international patient draw, fellows will receive extensive experience in endoscopic and open airway procedures, cochlear implantation, chronic ear, microtia and atresia, cleft lip and palate procedures, rhinoplasty, pediatric facial plastics, surgical and laser therapy of vascular anomalies. Since all our faculty also practice general pediatric otolaryngology fellows will gain broad experience in various endoscopic and open ear cases, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and congenital and acquired head and neck lesions (including thyroid and oncology). Over 5000 cases are performed annually.

Multidisciplinary Clinical and Research Programs

Training for fellows includes experience in 6 multidisciplinary programs developed and managed by the pediatric otolaryngology department. These include our Aerodigestive, Hearing loss, Cleft lip and Palate, Craniofacial, Vascular Anomalies, and Thyroid Centers of Excellence. Herein, we aim to provide fellows an understanding of how to manage complex patients in these areas and the skill to develop their programs when they graduate and begin their careers.

Our fellow also gains extensive opportunity to learn how to research their preferred areas of interest. With 2 functional basic science laboratories, 2 research coordinators, an executive research team, very active research faculty, protected time, and a large array of interested students, fellows will have the financial and personnel support to develop and create new projects or reports existing research. Statisticians and technician support are also available to help fellows with what they need to produce a high volume of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Our fellows have received numerous research awards at ASPO and other programs in the past.

Why Arkansas?

Arkansas is known as the "Natural State" and is a wonderful place to live and visit. Many of our faculty relocate from other states because of Arkansas's beauty, convenience, and lifestyle. Numerous options for outdoor enthusiasts exist despite the time of year, including world-class fishing, climbing, hiking, boating, waterskiing, canoeing, and swimming. Those who love being outdoors may also enjoy well-groomed campsites, hiking paths to waterfalls and caves, diamond mines, and so much more. With the southern charm and low cost of living, Little Rock is truly a hidden treasure that has caused many faculty to want to stay here and call this place home. It's truly a big city with a small city feel. Additionally, our department has always had a family feel to it and prioritizes a healthy and satisfying family life outside of the work expectations.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

As the only Pediatric Hospital in the state with a regional draw, there is an unparalleled volume of patients and exposure to extra specialized areas such as: airway stenosis, congenital head and neck lesions, cleft lip and palate, craniofacial anomalies, and vascular malformations. Over 30 open airways, innumerable ear and vascular cases, 100+ primary and secondary cleft operations are performed annually at ACH with surgeons with extensive experience and various training backgrounds allowing for a rich educational environment. This allows each graduating fellow the ability to gain considerable hands-on experience obtained under international leaders in the field in these unique areas that are all managed by the Otolaryngology department at ACH.

Benefits Information

GME Resident Handbook