Craniofacial Fellowship

Director: Louis Morales Jr., MD

 

Program Length:  One year
Total Number of Positions:  One


Introduction


The Craniofacial Foundation of Utah established this fellowship to offer a training opportunity for surgeons seeking advanced instruction in craniofacial surgery. The program is directed by Dr. Louis Morales Jr., MD, internationally known for his work in the field. Difficult and complex patients are referred from centers within Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado, as well as nation wide and from other countries. This broad-based referral pattern coupled with Dr. Morales’ reputation, provides the fellow with a high volume of otherwise rare and unusual problems. Please click on the following topics to learn more about a few of the challenging cases that Dr. Morales has treated.
Craniopagus twins (sets I, II and III)
Mandibular hypoplasia
Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia
Craniosynostosis – cranial vault remodeling
Hypertelorism
Mandibular, maxillary and orbital osteodistraction
Reanimation of a paralyzed face with neurovascular free flaps

Case numbers vary from year to year.

Average Case Numbers Per Year
Genioplasty:
7-13
Lefort I osteotomy:
>19
Bilateral sagital split osteotomy:
11
Cleft Lip:
56-61
Cleft Palate (first and second stage):
80-112
Pharyngeal flaps:
5-11
Nasolabial fistula closure:
34-45
Craniosynostosis:
47-49
Facial cleft:
4
Rigid external distractor placement:
34
Cosmetic and cleft rhinoplasty:
92-108
Formal Face lift:
5-8
Mid face lift:
20-22
Neck lifts:
2-5

Endoscopic brow lift:

4-6
Blepharoplasty:
19
Otoplasty:
6-14

 

Appointments generally begin July 1 of each year, but flexibility is available. The fellow works almost exclusively with Dr. Morales’ team, assisting in the planning and treatment of all craniofacial cases. Fellows gain substantial experience in the diagnosis and surgical management of craniofacial deformities, congenital anomalies, and traumatic facial deformities. Not only will you receive significant exposure to all facets of craniofacial surgery, but aesthetic, reconstructive and general plastic surgery as well. Due to a busy, progressive cosmetic surgery practice, two in-office operating rooms are available for cosmetic patients and carefully selected reconstructive cases. These facilities are available for use to the fellow if he/she wishes to pursue an independent practice while active in fellowship training.

The research component of the fellowship program has been found to be very rewarding. Dr. Morales is enjoys experimenting with new and creative ideas as they relate to craniofacial surgery. Subsequently, ideas research goals the fellows bring with them are welcome and nurtured. Existing research projects include, but are not limited to, the following: - Novel multi-plane distraction devices for orthognathic processes.

~ Cleft lip and palate outcomes research (two-stage vs. single stage repairs).
~ Bone replacements in craniofacial surgery.
~ Bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients. -  Resorbable plates and screws for craniofacial fixation. The fellow will be encouraged to present and/or publish 2 papers or book chapters during the fellowship.


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Application Process

Download the applications and requirments list.

Microsoft Word Format

 

 

Inquiries and applications for the fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery should be addressed to:

Louis Morales Jr., MD
Craniofacial Foundation of Utah
5089 South 900 East, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
ATTN:  Craniofacial Fellowship Program
Phone:  (801)743-0700
Fax: (801)743-0701
Email: LouisMorales@LouisMoralesmd.com

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Candidate Selection Criteria

Candidates for the craniofacial surgery fellowship must have a letter of recommendation from the residency program director, as well as two letters from other physicians who are familiar with the applicant's qualifications. A personal statement should be included with the application indicating any special interest, qualifications or research background in craniofacial surgery. A personal interview is required for selection.

All candidates must meet the requirements of the Utah Board of Licensing and Regulations for medical licensure. Candidates who have at least two years of residency training in an ACGME accredited program will meet the basic requirements.

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Responsibilities of the Craniofacial Fellow

  1. The fellow will assist in surgery and clinic.
  2. The fellow will be responsible for coordinating the monthly Craniofacial Conference. The purpose of this conference is to discuss interesting and difficult upcoming cases.
  3. The fellow will be responsible for any Emergency Room call that the director may be assigned. Provisions will be made for financial reimbursement, specifically, an incentive for patients cared for while on call in the emergency room. ER call averages one day a week and one weekend a month.
  4. The fellow will be responsible for inpatient management.

Research is encouraged. Two publications/presentations are expected over the course of the year.

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Stipend, Incentive and Benefits

Stipend is determined by the number of post graduate years completed and is based according to the Utah State Cost of Living Index, and the National Cost of Living Index, therefore, it is subject to change each year. Incentive is paid on a percentage basis and is only limited by the amount of call the fellow would like to take. Additional call dates are always available but are not required. Benefits
  1. Medical Malpractice Liability Coverage for the one year duration.
  2. Hospital Dues for Primary Children’s Medical Center.
  3. Paid Vacation Time. Two weeks of paid vacation time will be allowed throughout the fellowship year. There will be no vacation time allotted during the last month of the fellowship year.
  4. Paid Conference. One meeting a year will be financed up to $1,500. The fellow is encouraged to attend the yearly American Cleft Palate Association meeting.
  5. Health Care Insurance Coverage is an available negotiated option.

Program Plus

This is a busy clinical fellowship! There is substantial exposure to ALL facets of pediatric and craniofacial surgery. The experience is overwhelming in the diversity of cases one becomes exposed to over this short 12 month period (a fellow will partake in approximately 700 surgical cases over the year). In addition, the fellow will meet many visiting physicians from local, regional and international programs over the course of the year. Fortunately, at least one plastic surgery resident is also part of the craniofacial surgery service at all times.

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Program Director

 Louis Morales Jr., M.D.
Craniofacial Foundation of Utah
5089 South 900 East, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Phone: (801)743-0700
Fax: (801)743-0701

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Previous Fellows - Canidates for fellowship may contact anyone of these fellows for more information regarding their experience with our program.

1989-1990

Steven Smith, M.D.

9430 Park West Boulevard, Suite 110

Knoxville, TN 37923

Phone: (865)690-7909

1990-1991

John Squires, M.D.

3003 East Third Ave., Suite 206

Denver, CO 80206

Phone: (303)321-3210

1991-1992

Frank Papay, M.D.

9500 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44195

Phone: (216)444-6905

1992-1993

Stephen Hardy, M.D.

614 W. Spruce Street

Missoula, MT 59802

Phone: (406)728-3811

1993-1994

Antonio Santin, M.D.

1600 9 th Street

Great Falls, MT 59405

Phone: (406)727-6363

1994-1995

Jeff Blushke, M.D.

750 Spadina Cr. E., Suite 602

Saskatoon, SK S7K 3H3

Canada

Phone: (306)653-7766

1995-1996

Ralph Garramone, M.D.

8660 College Park Way, Suite 100

Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Phone: (941)482-1900

1996-1997

Marie Montag, M.D.

8900 W. Dodge Road

Omaha, NE 68114

Phone: (402)390-0100

1997-1998

Joseph Daw, M.D.

811 S. Paulina Street

Chicago, IL 60612

Phone: (321)996-7546

1998-1999

Munish Batra, M.D.

12264 El Camino Real, Suite 101

San Diego, CA 92130

Phone: (858)847-0800

1999-2000

Steven Warnock, M.D.

9829 South 1300 East, Suite 200

Sandy, UT 84094

Phone: (801)571-2020

2001-2002

Marie-Claire Buckley, M.D.

420 Delaware Street SE

Minneaplois, MN 55455

Phone: (612)625-1188

2003-2004

Angela Keen, M.D.

5089 South 900 East, Suite 100

Salt Lake City, Utah 84117

Phone: (801)743-0700

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