Meet The Faculty
The Department of Otorhinolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic is one of the oldest and largest otorhinolaryngology specialty groups in the world. Each year, the department handles more than 80,000 patient visits and performs approximately:
- 2,000 head and neck surgical procedures
- 1,000 otologic and neurotologic surgical procedures
- 1,500 rhinologic and sinus procedures
- 900 outpatient operative procedures
The department has a long-standing strong collaboration with neurosurgery. More than 200 new patients with skull base pathologies are evaluated each year by both a rhinologist and neurosurgeon. Department members collaborate with other specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, neuroradiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neuro-oncology, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, neuropathology, rheumatology, and medical genetics. Through this collaboration, the department offers comprehensive care for pediatric and adult patients with disorders involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, and skull base.
From the program director
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Welcome to our Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic! We are thrilled to have you join our team and embark on this journey of growth and discovery in the field of rhinology and skull base surgery.
At our institution, we pride ourselves on fostering an exceptional learning environment through a combination of academic activities, hands-on clinical experiences, and a supportive faculty. Our program is designed to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in your future career. You will find our world-class anatomy laboratory an incredible asset for research projects and fine-tuning your surgical skills.
We value trainee feedback as an essential component of our program's continuous improvement. Your input is not only welcomed but actively sought out, as we believe that your perspectives and insights are crucial in shaping the future direction of our training curriculum.
Additionally, we prioritize your well-being and have implemented various support systems to ensure you feel supported throughout your training. We encourage our trainees to take on leadership roles within our program and medical societies such as the American Rhinologic Society and North American Skull Base Society. We believe that by empowering our trainees to take on leadership roles, we can foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
Once again, welcome to our program, and we look forward to supporting you in this incredible endeavor of personal and professional growth.
Carlos Pinheiro Neto, M.D., Ph.D.
Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship Program Director
Faculty
In addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.
As a fellow, you will work closely with the rhinology and skull base surgery faculty in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, you will frequently collaborate with the other associated faculty in neurosurgery, head and neck surgical oncology, oculoplastic surgery, and radiation oncology.
Dr. Janalee Stokken is a board-certified otolaryngologist who is fellowship-trained and practices rhinology and skull base surgery. She attended medical school at the University of North Dakota and completed both residency and fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck, and has distinguished herself as a physician educator in the role of Residency Program Director.
Dr. Erin O’Brien is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Chair of the Division of Rhinology.