Spine Surgery Fellowship
Letter from the Program Director
To all prospective applicants:
Thank you for your interest in the University of Massachusetts Spine Surgery Fellowship Program. We offer a one-year training program for 1 fellow. This program is open for qualified orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons who apply via the spine fellowship match administered by SF Match.
The fellowship program provides a comprehensive spinal surgery experience. The fellow will be exposed to all aspects of adult spinal surgical care including: degenerative pathology, spinal tumors (primary and metastatic), trauma (including spinal cord injuries), infection (both primary and surgical site), inflammatory disorders of the spine and adult deformity. After completion of the program, the fellow will be able to function independently in any practice environment.
There will be ample exposure to open anterior and posterior techniques as well as minimally invasive techniques for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The typical week for the fellow will include:
- 0.5 day with an attending in outpatient clinic
- 0.5 day seeing patients independently in fellows clinic
- 0.5 day research
- 3.5 days in OR
The completion of a research project is a requirement for the fellowship. The fellow will also participate in a weekly research meeting as well as a spine indications conference with the spine faculty and residents on service. The fellow will also be involved in teaching residents.
During the course of the 1-year training program, the fellow will rotate through the services with each attending while gaining technical proficiency that will be tailored to the fellow’s level. The fellow will also learn appropriate surgical indications throughout the course of the year by taking part in outpatient clinics, urgent and non-urgent inpatient consultations while on call, and conferences. Upon completion, the fellow will have experienced a multi-disciplinary approach to spinal conditions.
Requirements for the fellowship include successful completion of an accredited orthopedic or neurosurgical residency program and an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Patrick Connolly, MD
Professor of Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Chief, Orthopedic Spine Service
Spine Surgery Fellowship Director
Faculty
Patrick J. Connolly, MD
Chief and Professor of Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Christian P. DiPaola, MD
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Michael P. Stauff, MD
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Contact
Michelle Auger
Michelle.Auger@umassmed.edu
508-856-4262
Department of Orthopedics, H4-529
University of Massachusetts
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655