Graduating fellows in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at WashU Medicine have spent the past year or two completing intense surgical training with their specialty mentors.
We asked them to share their future plans, thoughts on their fellowship experience, and what they will miss most about St. Louis. Please join us in congratulating our outstanding trainees for all their accomplishments – past, present and future.
Sneha Giri, MD, fellow in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
Next step?
I am very excited to be joining a private practice in Dallas, TX.
Highlight of your fellowship?
I am grateful for the excellent training and mentorship. The VA, where I had my own clinic/OR, was a particularly rewarding experience caring for veterans and teaching residents.
Most important thing you learned during fellowship?
Aside from all the technical skills, I’m grateful for all the wisdom passed down on patient care, building a practice, and having a fulfilling/impactful career.
What will you miss the most about St. Louis?
I will miss all the wonderful people I had the chance to work with this year including the faculty, residents, clinic/OR staff, and the rest of the department. I look forward to staying in touch!
Karolina Plonowska, MD, fellow in advanced head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction
Next step?
I’ll be joining the faculty at Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Highlight of your fellowship?
An absolute highlight of the fellowship has been the mentorship from each of the Head and Neck faculty – I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from each of their unique approaches and expertise. And not to mention each of their sense of humor!
Most important thing you learned during fellowship?
Amidst the breadth and depth of oncologic and reconstructive cases this year, one of the most important takeaways has been to put the patient first – to really understand patient’s functional priorities in cancer treatment and partner with them in shared decision-making. Head and neck cancer care here is truly advancing the field – the faculty have been exemplary in multidisciplinary collaboration and helping patients navigate participation in cutting-edge trials. This emphasis on patient-centered care is something I will definitely carry forward in my practice.
What will you miss the most about St. Louis?
I will truly miss the phenomenal faculty and residents of WashU Otolaryngology! It’s been such a privilege to work alongside and learn from incredibly talented surgeons and kind people. My family and I also will miss our daily Forest Park walks and taking advantage of STL’s great food scene.
Miriam Smetak, MD, fellow in neurotology
Next step?
I’ll be headed to UC Irvine School of Medicine in Southern California.
Highlight of your fellowship?
It’s really hard to pick one thing. I have loved my time at the VA, where I had the opportunity to manage my own patients and watch them progress longitudinally. I’m also really enjoying that part of the end of fellowship where whenever I’m in the OR I realize that I am absolutely prepared to handle whatever comes my way next year.
Most important thing you learned during fellowship?
Learning how to teach residents to operate has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding things I have done this year.
What will you miss the most about St. Louis?
I will definitely miss Forest Park and the Zoo the most. All the free things to do in St. Louis make this place so special.
Michael Wu, MD, fellow in advanced head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction
Next step?
I will be joining the Head and Neck Surgery faculty at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Highlight of your fellowship?
It was really a highlight when we reached a point in the year where Karolina and I were both gaining independence in microvascular surgery and had our first opportunity to assist each other under the microscope! What a great way to learn and a memorable bonding experience as fellows. From there, it set the foundation for us working with the residents and thinking critically from the other side of the table.
Most important thing you learned during fellowship?
There are innumerable different ways to do any given surgery, and being fluent in so many techniques can save you in a pinch. And sometimes you just need a good bipolar.
What will you miss the most about St. Louis?
I will miss the warmth of its people. The faculty, residents, and POD5 staff have been our family this year and I can’t imagine this year without them. There is something special about the Midwest. I’ve met so many patients here who, despite being faced with terrible afflictions, go through their treatment with signature grace and a practical sense of humor. It inspires me and I think speaks to the strength of the people here.