Curriculum

Our primary educational goal is for each fellow to achieve independence and competence in the advanced care of the injured athlete. All interactions between fellows and staff are designed around this educational objective.

• During the first month, fellows follow staff closely in clinic and in the operating rooms. Fellows are observed in these settings to assess initial skill level and to develop a plan for the first quarter of their training. Fellows are mentored in clinic and surgery during this period to help them assimilate all basic principles and techniques for knee and shoulder surgery.
• Throughout the second quarter, fellows begin learning advanced techniques for arthroscopic and open knee and shoulder reconstruction. Opportunities will arise for management of elbow and ankle pathology in athletes; each such case will be treated with appropriate staff supervision.
• In the third quarter fellows develop greater autonomy in operative and clinical care. During this time, fellows will perform reconstructive surgery with supervising faculty, available for consultation.
• The fourth quarter is devoted to fine-tuning the fellows’ skills and working electively with non-faculty staff in preparation for the transition to practice beyond graduation.

Fellows are provided assistance by Physician Assistants/ Nurse Practitioners, nurses, and office staffing equivalent to that of staff physicians. Extensive library support through full library staff, 24-hour library access and on-line resources. Collaboration with research facilities at Scripts and local cadaver lab facilities provided by DJ Ortho, Arthrex and Smith & Nephew. The Fellowship has its own fully equipped arthroscopy laboratory available 7 days a week.

• The fellowship has a year-long structure that provides continuity of clinical care and learning from training room/clinic evaluation to surgery and post op care.
• Call is maximum 1 week per rotation (every 3 months) with Scripps- 4-5 days/night call-with 1 to 2 weekends/yr.
• Team coverage at the high school and college and professional level is provided in the training room and on the field in conjunction with fellowship staff physicians.