What to Expect

Curriculum

The fellows have continuous time in the operating room and clinic. There are weekly didactic lectures that follow a rigorous curriculum. The fellows will also interact with residents in a teaching capacity and are expected to assist with call cases when on call.

The fellow will rotate with fellowship trained Faculty. Fellows will rotate at our a Level 1 trauma hospitals as well as a community hospital to gain experience in multiple settings. Fellows will learn management of acute hand and upper extremity injuries, including nerve, tendon and ligament repair, bony fixation as well as soft tissue reconstruction techniques. Fellows will also be provided the opportunity to rotate with clinicians in their office hours to develop a profound knowledge of chronic upper extremity pathology. This includes, but is not limited to, management of osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, upper extremity nerve entrapment, common tendinopathies, etc.  Fellows will also participate in microsurgery course. 

Rotations

The fellowship is divided into equal time with both plastic surgery and orthopedic attendings, as well as a 1-month rotation with Dr Heather Lochner at DMC Children’s Hospital to learn the intricacies of pediatric hand surgery. Fellows will also be allowed time to learn from our certified hand therapy team, and will be exposed to MSK radiology and electromyography.

Lecture schedules

Wednesday is the major lecture education day. Each Wednesday there will be formal Grand Rounds, M&M conference or fellow educational conference. Monthly journal clubs and periodic anatomy lab sessions will also be scheduled.

Volumes

Fellows will participate in high-volume clinics and operating rooms, addressing a variety of patient issues from the elbow to fingertips. Fellows will be exposed to both orthopedic and plastic surgeons and will learn bony fixation techniques as well as soft tissue management.

Didactics

Weekly sessions, monthly journal club for Orthopedics, monthly M & M, monthly anatomy/microsurgery/arthroscopy labs.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ACGME residency or AOA equivalent, with active accreditation pending.
• Board Eligible in either Orthopedic Surgery, Plastics Surgery, or General Surgery.