Curriculum
Clinical training
You experience training with Dr. Michael Link, Dr. Jamie Van Gompel, and Dr. Maria Peris Celda. Approximately 300 surgeries are performed during the training year, including open, endoscopic, and stereotactic surgeries. In addition, emphasis is on clinical decision-making, where you participate in clinical evaluation of patients for surgery.
Finally, opportunity for simulation in the cadaver, rat anastomosis and dry model labs is mandatory for refinement of the technical skills necessary for excellent patient outcomes.
Rotation schedule
You will alternate between Dr. Link's service and Drs. Van Gompel/Peris Celda service. Each rotation will be three months in length.
Option 1
| Rotation | Length |
|---|---|
| Link service | 3 months |
| Van Gompel/Peris Celda service | 3 months |
| Link service | 3 months |
| Van Gompel/Peris Celda service | 3 months |
Option 2
| Rotation | Length |
|---|---|
| Van Gompel/Peris Celda service | 3 months |
| Link service | 3 months |
| Van Gompel/Peris Celda service | 3 months |
| Link service | 3 months |
Call frequency
Currently, no call is required (enfolded fellows continue to share in the chief call).
Moonlighting
Opportunities may be available to take general neurosurgery call to eligible post-graduate fellows which would occur at one of the Mayo Clinic Health System institutions. Moonlighting should not interfere with the required learning and must not violate the work-hour rules of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or visa regulations.
Conferences
Recurring conferences that require attendance include:
- Grand Rounds (Monday)
- Skull base conference (Tuesday)
- Neuro-oncology work conference (Friday)
Research training
You are involved in ongoing research projects, both clinical and anatomical, to further academic training as well as clinical abilities. These projects are tailored to your future interests and designed to enhance recruitment of patients to your practice in the future.
Teaching opportunities
You are responsible for running the monthly skull base conference, have the opportunity to present at Grand Rounds, and have day-to-day opportunities for resident teaching.
Unique opportunities
- Daily access to Mayo Clinic's skull base cadaver lab
- Moonlighting
- Paid trip and vacation days
Evaluation
To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, your performance is monitored carefully during the Neurosurgical Skull Base Oncology Fellowship. You are formally evaluated by supervising faculty members on a quarterly basis. In addition, you regularly evaluate the faculty to confirm that your educational needs are being met.