Clinical training

In order to achieve multidisciplinary experience and surgical technical excellence, the fellow will rotate through the following experiences:

An operative log is maintained to document and record your operative experiences. This is reviewed regularly and any deficiencies promptly rectified.

Rotation descriptions

Endocrine surgery

The fellow rotate with each of the high-volume endocrine surgeon faculty at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The fellow is assigned to one surgeon for several weeks at a time to allow for direct mentorship and to achieve early advances in graduated autonomy. The fellow will evaluate patients with endocrine surgical disorders, identify surgical indications and contraindications, and work in a multidisciplinary fashion with referring providers to make appropriate treatment recommendations.

During this rotation, the fellow will develop and demonstrate operative expertise and proficiency in initial and re-operative endocrine problems, including preoperative considerations, perioperative management, surgical controversies, follow-up, and prognosis.

The fellow will participate in educational activities including guiding and mentoring students and residents during their endocrine surgical rotations.

Simulation experience and cadaver dissection is also provided to develop or refine surgical techniques and skills.

Endocrine surgery faculty will mentor the fellow to complete at least one research project leading to a manuscript and presentation at a regional or national meeting.

Endocrinology

The endocrine surgery fellow gains valuable perspective working alongside nationally recognized endocrinologists who are specialists in pituitary, adrenal, bone, thyroid, and pancreas disorders. This experience is designed to enhance the fellow’s ability to recognize and logically evaluate endocrine problems of specific interest to an endocrine surgeon.

The endocrine surgery fellow will attend the annual Endocrine Surgical University (ESU) conference hosted by the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. Reimbursement for expenses related to attendance of ESU is provided in accordance with Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education policies.

Laryngoscopy, nuclear medicine, endocrine pathology, endocrine oncology

During these experiences, the fellow:

• Learns to recognize endocrine cytology and pathology
• Interprets technology — immunostains, RET proto-oncogene, DNA ploidy, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), gene profiling and implications for proteomics
• Learns and develops skills in vocal cord examination using laryngoscopy
• Gains experience in nuclear medicine technologies, such as Sestamibi, PET scan, and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatments

This experience includes extramural consultations, didactic lectures, one-on-one teaching of histopathology and rotations through our cytology and frozen section lab.

Didactic training

The endocrine surgery fellow participates in regular didactic programs as an integral part of their training. Such opportunities include:

• Weekly endocrine surgery conference
• Multidisciplinary adrenal and thyroid tumor boards
• Mortality and Morbidity (M&M) conferences
• Journal club topic presentations
• Noon endocrinology conferences

Research training

Clinical research is included and expected during the training program. The fellow will have opportunities to design research projects, implement clinical protocols, and engage in quality improvement activities. Supervision and mentoring for research is available from surgeons and other related disciplines.

Scholarly activity, such as presentations at national meetings, lectures and publications, is expected.

Teaching opportunities

Opportunities are available for the fellow to teach rotating residents and medical students. Most fellows will receive an instructor-level academic appointment at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Evaluation

To ensure the fellow acquires adequate knowledge and develops the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, fellow performance is evaluated throughout training. The fellow is formally evaluated by supervising faculty members after each clinical rotation and meets with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, the fellow regularly evaluates the faculty to confirm their educational needs are being met.