Program Highlights
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Fellows will participate in biomechanical and clinical research. Research projects are encouraged and protected time for these scholarly activities are built into the weekly schedule. The program provides personnel, financial support, and a fully functional Bio-Skills lab to facilitate research projects. The dedicated lab allows the fellows to supplement their training on open and arthroscopic procedures as well as complete field-testing for new products on cadaver specimens.
Our Partners
Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute
The nationally recognized Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is a multi-site practice with locations across South Florida, offering comprehensive orthopedic services including sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, adult reconstruction and trauma care to community members and professional athletes. The staff of renowned sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons – backed by the most advanced technology and comprehensive rehabilitation programs – brings a total team approach to each patient’s care. The program serves the Miami HEAT, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF, Orange Bowl, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Athletics, Miami Open Tennis and Miami Marathon & Half Marathon.
Doctors Hospital
Doctors Hospital, located in the heart of historic Coral Gables, has provided high-quality medical care since 1949. The 281-bed, acute care facility is recognized for its services in orthopedics, sports medicine, general surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, geriatrics, intensive care and a state-of-the-art Emergency Department.
Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center
The Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center is a new, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center located in the Medical Arts Building at Doctors Hospital. It is fully dedicated to orthopedic procedures and includes 4,500 square feet of the world’s most advanced and efficient operating room suites. Two of the four operating rooms have windows for viewing capabilities and student observation.
Baptist Health Wellness & Medical Complex
Baptist Health Surgery Center at Plantation located within the Baptist Health Wellness & Medical Complex offers the latest in surgical care and technology, backed by the experience of some of the area’s finest physicians and highly skilled and qualified staff. The 14,300-square-foot multi-specialty center is designed for the comfort, safety and convenience of our patients including five operating rooms with state-of-the-art surgical and anesthesia monitoring equipment.
Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex
Introducing Baptist Health's new, state-of-the-art orthopedic complex across the street from Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. The expansive, 17,000-square-foot facility is located adjacent to the Baptist Health Training Complex, the Dolphins’ training facility, with clinical areas overlooking the team’s practice field. Serving Dolphins players and the public alike, the new location offers comprehensive orthopedic care with a full range of diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and rehabilitation services all under one roof.
Doctors Hospital BioSkills Lab
West Kendall Baptist Hospital
Eligibility Requirements and Application Schedule
Eligibility Prerequisites
- Board-eligible graduate of an ACGME-accredited residency program in orthopedic surgery, general surgery, or plastic surgery
- Must be eligible to be granted an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Florida
Application Requirements
- National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) registration
- ASSH Universal Hand Surgery Fellowship Application
- CV listing all scholarly activity (publications/presentations)
- Personal statement
- 3 exam score documents
- Three letters of reference (signed, and on letterhead). One letter must be from a hand surgeon familiar with your work. One letter must be from the director of your residency training program
- Medical school transcript
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Application Timeline
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Where do applicants go to apply?
American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) - When are applications accepted? Deadline to Apply: November 15th
- When are candidate interviews? January - March
- When are candidates matched/notified of acceptance? May, via NRMP
- When does the program start? Last week of July
Curriculum
Longitudinal Experiences
Rotations
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The Operating Room curriculum is a 12-month rotation that will provide the fellow with a comprehensive approach to the surgical management of patients with hand and upper extrimity conditions. Fellows will spend no less than three days in the OR performing cases at Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health Surgery Centers located in Coral Gables and Plantation, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital.
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Fellows will spend between one and one and a half days in clinic evaluating patients with hand and upper extrimity conditions. Fellows will evaluate patients prior to surgery and follow them throughout their post-op care. Our 49,000-square-foot recently renovated outpatient facility consists of three floors of physician clinics with 42 exam rooms. The new pod concept with “touchdown” staff work areas will allow clinical teams to collaborate across subspecialties. Physician offices includes a dedicated Fellow’s Office. During clinic, the allied health professionals that include PA’s (Physicians Assistants), ATC’s (Certified Athletic Trainers), and MA’s (Medical Assistants) support physicians. Our practice currently uses CERNER electronic medical records (EMR) and fellows will receive specialized training in this system as part of their onboarding.
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Fellows will actively participate in their own original research as well multiple ongoing projects. Fellows will be supported with their research from Certified Clinical Research Coordinators, volunteers, and a Research and Education Coordinator with a PhD. Other resources will include the medical library and a BioSkills Lab.
The BioSkills Lab will be an integral part of the educational program and will provide a simulated surgical setting that allows our physicians to conduct hands-on cadaveric evaluations, surgical education, research studies, and clinical trials. The lab has broadcast capabilities for a seamless learning experience.
Fellows will receive a laptop and a dedicated office space to use during their fellowship year that will assist with their research projects.
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Faculty, fellows, and allied health professionals actively participates in the program’s didactic education series. The didactics includes:
- Lecture series: Weekly teaching conference dedicated to hand, where presenters will vary each week and will include the program director, program faculty, and physical and occupational therapists who will lead some weekly conferences.
- Ortho Sports Medicine Lecture Series Weekly teaching conference in conjunction with the ortho sports medicine fellowship programs and faculty for upper extremity topics.
- Journal Club: Monthly to discuss various topics from the Journal of Hand Surgery and other relevant peer reviewed publications, both current and classic (i.e., Stern Selected Readings in Hand Surgery).
- Case Review Conference & M&M: Monthly to present and discuss interesting cases from our own and/or case reports from the literature, followed by discussion.
- BioSkills Lab: Monthly surgical techniques hands on cadaver lab training with one faculty members. Duration: 3 hours each.
- Videos: Fellows will use the ASSH Hand 50 videos that represent the topics that all Hand Fellows should know well. These videos are available to augment the formal education of a Fellowship program. Some topics are covered by more than one lecturer, this is intentional to give Fellows a broad perspective.
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The primary purpose of Rehabilitation Services will be to provide assessment, therapeutic treatment, and education to patients and their family members. The rehabilitation plan is designed to promote health, restore function, and improve overall life-style. Fellows will collaborate directly with physical therapists and ATC’s.
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Each year, fellows will participate as instructors for the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Musculoskeletal Course. This course will allow them to develop and hone their skills as they teach 4th year medical students.