Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Overview
The Harvard Combined Endocrine Surgery Program is an integrated fellowship between Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, established in accordance with guidelines from the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES). It offers intensive clinical training with a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases. Together, the programs perform more than 2,000 endocrine operations per year, of which fellows typically perform more than 300 cases.
One fellow is chosen to spend six months at MGH and six months at BWH in three-month rotations. In addition to working with 11 different endocrine surgeons, fellows receive training from radiologists, pathologists, and endocrinologists. The program provides broad experience in complex cases including reoperative parathyroid surgery, minimally invasive adrenalectomy, locally advanced thyroid carcinomas, and neck dissections.
Requirements
- Board-eligible graduates of a general surgery residency program
- Apply through AAES fellowship match
Curriculum
The first year is clinical and mandatory. Training includes office-based ultrasound and ultrasound-guided FNA techniques, fiberoptic laryngoscopy, and weekly conferences in endocrine surgery and surgical oncology. Exposure to endocrinology, radiology, pathology/cytology, and nuclear medicine is provided. The fellow participates in Departmental Grand Rounds, Endocrine Surgery ward rounds, Endocrinology fellows’ conference, and monthly CCES (Center for Clinical Effectiveness in Surgery) meetings.
The second year is an optional research year, based on the fellow’s interests and funding availability. Protected time for dedicated research is available and can be discussed with the program director.
Research Experience
Numerous opportunities exist for collaborative clinical, health services, and basic science research. Fellows are expected to present data at national meetings and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. The endocrine surgery database (CESQIP) supports outcomes research.
How to Apply
Apply through the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) fellowship match.
Fellowship Program Directors: Antonia Stephen, MD (MGH) and Matthew Nehs, MD (BWH).
- Year 1: Clinical (mandatory) – 6 months MGH, 6 months BWH in 3-month rotations
- Year 2: Optional research year
- 1 fellow per year
- 11 endocrine surgery faculty across both institutions
- Over 2,000 endocrine operations per year; 300+ fellow cases
- Exposure to broad range of endocrine surgical procedures
- Comprehensive care of endocrine surgical patients
- Foundation for transition to clinical practice
- Training and mentoring future leaders of endocrine surgery
- Weekly endocrine surgery and surgical oncology conferences
- Departmental Grand Rounds
- Endocrine Surgery ward rounds
- Monthly CCES (outcomes research) meetings
- Monthly multidisciplinary conference
- Antonia Stephen, MD – Co-Director, MGH
- Matthew Nehs, MD – Co-Director, BWH