Joel Fontanarosa earned his B.A. at The University of Chicago prior to completing combined M.D. and Ph.D. training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he earned a doctoral degree in Bioinformatics. He completed residency training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern University. Dr. Fontanarosa developed an interest in head and neck cancer and reconstructive surgery during residency and went on to pursue subspecialty training in this area at Massachusetts Eye and Ear / Harvard Medical School in Boston. His primary research effort is in the development and application of computational methods to achieve a better understanding of head and neck cancer at the genomic level. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop personalized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies based on the molecular characteristics of an individual’s tumor.

Certified Specialties

Otolaryngology, Head And Neck Surgery - American Board of Otolaryngology

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Otolaryngology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. 2018 - 2019

Residency, Otolaryngology, Northwestern University. 2014 - 2018

Internship, Otolaryngology, Northwestern University. 2013 - 2014

Education

PhD | University of Illinois College of Medicine (USA). Clinical Informatics. 2013

MD | University of Illinois College of Medicine (USA). 2013

Ratings & Comments

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Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.9

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.9

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.9

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.9

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is the best.

Sep 30, 2025

5.0

I feel that I'm getting the best doctors and help from this cancer center.

Jun 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is wonderful.

Jun 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is a wonderful, caring physician and I'm so grateful for him and his staff for extending my life and giving me hope for a better tomorrow!

Jun 15, 2025

5.0

Would definitely recommend Dr Fontanarosa! He is the best of the best, takes his patients cares and concerns seriously and is honest about explaining procedures and possible outcomes. This is appreciated more than you know !!

Jun 11, 2025

5.0

Doctor was highly recommended and lives up to and exceeds expectations .

May 31, 2025

5.0

The discussion was good and in depth We arrived at the next step collaboratively

Apr 03, 2025

5.0

Dr. Was very understanding with what I was going thru!! Took time with me and explained everything ! Very empathetic !!

Mar 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is very empathetic and you can tell he works hard to find the best solutions

Mar 13, 2025

5.0

I felt up when I had to leave and the Doctor made it all okay.

Mar 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was very informative about my condition and what I would be experiencing during the surgery.

Mar 06, 2025

5.0

Dr Fontanarosa, and resident physicians continue to teach, explain and listen to our concerns. They are kind, encouraging, and professional!

Feb 23, 2025

5.0

Wonderful doctor!

Feb 06, 2025

5.0

Dr Residente and Dr Fontanarosa were great!

Feb 01, 2025

5.0

One of the best Dr's

Jan 26, 2025

5.0

Dr Fontanarosa was exceptional. He was upfront and honest about what to expect as weel as possible risks.

Jan 06, 2025

5.0

Excellent!!!

Dec 20, 2024

5.0

Very good experience

Dec 05, 2024

5.0

I am very thankful for what they are doing.

Dec 03, 2024

5.0

Best doctor I have had.

Nov 24, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa provided an excellent health care experience. From diagnosis to post-op, he has exceeded my expectations. I would recommend Dr. Fontanarosa to anyone.

Oct 04, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was great. Attentive. Easy going. Calm, patient, and offered explanations clearly and treated me with respect and dignity

Aug 27, 2024

5.0

I have the utmost confidence in Dr Fontanarosa. He is remarkably knowledgeable and so easy to talk with. I have told many people how good I feel being in his care.

Jun 24, 2024

5.0

Dr Fontanarosa always takes excellent care of me.

Jun 14, 2024

5.0

Excellent interaction with the doctor! He was wonderful in demeanor, listened well, mDe me feel very comfortable and was clear communication of his assessment.

May 28, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was very thorough and professional and he answered all my questions thoroughly and thoughtfully.

May 28, 2024

5.0

He was great. Listened to what I had to say and talked to me like a human that wasn't just a number for him to get through.

May 13, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was amazing! He was so communicative and I was instantly at ease with him. He was factual in his approach and took time to answer all of my questions. He and his staff were awesome!!

May 06, 2024

5.0

Very good

Apr 25, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is the best.

Apr 13, 2024

5.0

Was impressed with how much time an effort was taken, and with the good result.

Feb 24, 2024

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was great, he talked to me and answered all my questions. Made me feel comfortable about my upcoming the surgery.

Jan 19, 2024

5.0

Doctor Fontanarosa is absolutely outstanding. I have complete confidence in his care and expertise. He goes well above and beyond to explain the details of my prospects for continued recovery.

Dec 18, 2023

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa was very personable, approachable and clear.

Oct 11, 2023

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is the best!

Oct 05, 2023

5.0

He's a great doctor!

Aug 08, 2023

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is exceptional, so glad he is my doctor!

Jul 05, 2023

5.0

Your the best experience I've ever had.

Jun 08, 2023

5.0

The provider has taken the time to really get to know me. In fact, he allowed me to recite to him, my latest poem that I have written.

Jun 07, 2023

4.2

Good listener

May 22, 2023

5.0

Dr.Joel Fontanarosa is brilliant and an amazing person and doctor, he is extremely passionate about what he does and the care he provides people. I feel fortunate to have him as my doctor

May 17, 2023

3.4

Dr. Fontanarosa is a EXCELLENT and very caring physician.

Apr 19, 2023

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is very pleasant, very thorough & caring. I trust my life with him.

Mar 28, 2023

5.0

Dr actually phoned me a couple of days after my appointment to follow up on our visit

Mar 12, 2023

5.0

This is the first time that I met with Dr. Fotanarosa for a biopsy of my thyroid. I trusted him Immediately. He explained the procedure carefully and gave a general Idea of what the treatments would be depending on the results of the biopsy. He called me directly with the results, which I really appreciated.

Feb 23, 2023

3.4

He didn't seem to know what I was there for. After examining the lump & related areas he recommended a bi-op. I told him that was what I were fore.

Jan 27, 2023

Highly would recommend him

Nov 20, 2022

5.0

Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better physician. Dr. Fontanarosa is friendly, polite, professional and completely knowledgeable. He listened to all my concerns and answered all my questions. He took extra time to research and consult. [...] He treated with me honor and dignity and made me feel very comfortable. This is the first surgery/operation I have had since I was a child ( tonsils removed). As scary as surgery may sound, I wasn't really scared as Dr Fontanarosa explained everything so well and clearly to me and I knew I was in good hands. If I could change your rating scale, I would rate him EXCELLENT as opposed to very good.

Nov 14, 2022

5.0

Unfortunately my scan results were not read at the time of appointment so a recommendation for treatment was impossible. Very upsetting.

Oct 18, 2022

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is the best.

Sep 29, 2022

5.0

Was very direct and honest with me. Included my brother in the conversation (by my request) and went out of his way to review imaging with us. Left me with a very clear idea of what surgery and recovery will entail.

Sep 22, 2022

3.0

I'm worried about my loose sternum. And told the Dr, he kinda blew me off. Said he'd look into it. I haven't heard anything since.

Sep 21, 2022

5.0

Very personable and clear about plan for diagnosing and treatment options

Aug 26, 2022

5.0

The Doctor is very caring kind and professional! I am very pleased to have him as my Doctor

Aug 19, 2022

5.0

Dr. Fontanarosa is a tremendously talented doctor, great human, and his staff are top-notch.

Jul 29, 2022

5.0

Always above and beyond expectations

Jun 22, 2022

5.0

Always educated on my situation and has genuine concern.

May 11, 2022

5.0

The doctor informed me that the biopsy of my tongue was lost

Apr 10, 2022

5.0

Was follow up to discuss test result - good results so easy discussion

Feb 12, 2022