Otolaryngologist assists patient with cochlear implant Clinical research training in otolaryngology

The Pathway Fellowship offers research experience into otolaryngology clinical practice alongside opportunities to expand clinical skills and knowledge.

Clinical Research Pathway Fellowship in Otolaryngology

The Clinical Research Pathway Fellowship in Otolaryngology — also known as the Pathway Fellowship — is a yearlong mentored clinical research program funded by Mayo Clinic commitment against racism funds. The fellowship aims to bring one senior-level U.S. medical student who is focused on a career in otolaryngology to the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Pathway Fellowship prepares participants for successful otolaryngology residency applications through a comprehensive set of objectives. As a fellow in this program, you are expected to:

  • Develop strong, supportive mentorship relationships with faculty members and residents.
  • Gain enhanced exposure to otolaryngology.
  • Complete one research project as primary author and complete or nearly complete five additional projects.
  • Present at one local and one national research conference.
  • Mentor high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Support community outreach through community engagement events.
Research fellow presenting at Head and Neck Surgery Research Day Conference presentation opportunities

Pathway fellows network and present at national otolaryngology conferences.

Availability

The Pathway Fellowship offers one full-time, paid position based at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida. The position includes:

  • Salary.
  • Benefits.
  • Funding to attend and present at one national conference.

The fellowship is 12 months long. The program year begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the next year. The fellow is considered an employee of Mayo Clinic in Florida for the duration of the fellowship.

Program components

The Pathway Fellowship includes access to online training and instructor-led courses to help build a strong foundation of clinical research knowledge. Fellows may attend all general didactic sessions as well as research-specific didactics. For example, as a fellow you are welcome at:

  • Grand Rounds.
  • Resident didactics.
  • The department's pituitary and skull base conference.
  • The head and neck tumor board.
  • The rhinology journal club.

Mentorship

The program director is Mallory J. Raymond, M.D. Dr. Raymond assigns each fellow a primary research mentor and supports and encourages fellows to work with any additional faculty members.

Teaching and teamwork

Fellows have the opportunity to gain mentoring skills by working with undergraduate research students in Mayo's Clinical Research Internship Study Program and with research temporary professionals within the department.

Otolaryngology trainee and mentor using an operative microscope Receive expert mentorship while learning to mentor others

Pathway fellows learn through paired mentorship. They also have opportunities to work with graduate and undergraduate students in internships related to otolaryngology.

Residency preparation

The fellowship director and faculty mentors work with you to prepare your CV, personal statements and interview skills before completing the fellowship. You'll have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with faculty members to prepare for a successful residency application.

Community engagement

The Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery strives to engage research fellows in the departmental community and the larger Mayo Clinic and local communities. Specifically, through the Health Career Collaborative, the Pathway fellow co-leads a partnership with a local high school to provide introductory knowledge about healthcare careers.

Eligibility

The Pathway Fellowship is designed for U.S. medical students in good standing who are interested in a career in otolaryngology and who will be completing the fellowship between their third and fourth years of medical school. The program is geared toward students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation college graduates and others who have overcome life circumstances that often serve as barriers to becoming a physician.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a U.S. medical student in good standing.
  • Be interested in a career in otolaryngology.
  • Complete the fellowship between your third and fourth years of medical school.
  • Have passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1.

Applicants who will have graduated from medical school prior to the start of the fellowship are not eligible.

Apply

To apply, please complete and submit:

  • Application worksheet. Download the Microsoft Word document.
  • Personal statement. Include a one-page personal statement highlighting your interest in the program and the obstacles you have faced in advancing your medical career.
  • Resume or CV.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Medical school transcript. This can be an unofficial transcript.

Current Pathway fellow

  • Christian J. Bernard
  • Pathway Fellowship years: 2025-2026
  • Medical school: Louisiana State University Health Science Center

Previous Pathway fellow

  • Prishae Wilson
  • Pathway Fellowship years: 2024-2025
  • Medical school: Morehouse School of Medicine