To become an orthopedic surgeon, one must undergo a lengthy and rigorous educational journey. This includes graduating from college, applying and being admitted to medical school, completing four years of medical school, and undergoing five years of intensive medical and surgical residency in orthopedic surgery. The residency programs in orthopedic surgery are highly competitive, and by the time one completes this five-year program, they have spent a total of 13 years in the educational system.
At this point, they are considered an orthopedic surgeon. However, why do some orthopedic surgeons choose to pursue additional training called a fellowship?
What is a Fellowship?
A fellowship is a specialized training program that physicians can opt for to further enhance their expertise in a specific area of orthopedics, known as a subspecialty. While not mandatory to practice orthopedic surgery, fellowships have become increasingly common.
Fellowships offer orthopedic surgeons the opportunity to become recognized experts in a particular subspecialty and stay up to date with the rapidly evolving advancements in orthopedic surgery. For patients, seeking care from a fellowship-trained orthopedic physician ensures they receive the best and most current treatment for their injury or concern.
Orthopedic Surgery Subspecialties
Orthopedic fellowships are available at universities and orthopedic institutes nationwide, specializing in various subspecialties. These subspecialties include orthopedic sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand surgery and upper extremity, joint preservation, orthopedic surgery of the spine, pediatric orthopedics, and orthopedic trauma.
Some of the top fellowship programs in the country are hosted by esteemed institutions such as the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Institute, American Sports Medicine Institute with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL, Steadman Hawkins Clinic, OrthoCarolina, Emory University, and Washington University.
What Makes Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics Unique?
At Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, what sets us apart is that all of our physicians have completed fellowships in an orthopedic subspecialty. Additionally, our physicians at Elite focus exclusively on their respective subspecialties. For instance, if you visit Elite for a neck or back concern, you will be scheduled with a specialist in that particular area.
Our Orthopedic Surgeons in Nashville and Franklin, TN
Our esteemed team of orthopedic surgeons at Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics has completed specialized fellowships at renowned institutions across the country. Here is a snapshot of their areas of expertise:
Dr. Burton Elrod, our founding physician, and true pioneer in the field of sports medicine, did his orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at the world renowned Kerlan- Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Inglewood, California.
Dr. David Moore was a fellow in orthopedic sports medicine with Dr. James Andrews at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL.
Dr. Jeffrey Willers completed his orthopedic fellowship in foot and ankle at OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Thomas Dovan completed his fellowship in Hand, Shoulder and Upper Extremity at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, MO
Dr. R. Chris Glattes completed his fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, MO
Dr. Colin Crosby has completed his fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, GA in orthopedic surgery of the spine.
Dr. Chad Price completed his fellowship in sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Spartanburg, SC.
Dr. Gregory Raab completed his fellowship in total joint replacement at OrthoCarolina.
Dr. Samuel Crosby completed his fellowship in hand and upper extremity at Harvard University.
Dr. A. Brian Thomson completed his fellowship in foot and ankle reconstruction at Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Amanda Martin completed her orthopedic surgery in sports medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. She completed her other fellowship in trauma through the AO Trauma Exchange at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Dr. Brian Dierckman completed his fellowship in sports medicine at Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI) in Los Angeles, California.
At Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, our team of highly trained orthopedic surgeons brings a wealth of expertise to their respective subspecialties. By completing fellowships and staying up to date with the latest advancements, they ensure that patients receive the highest quality and most advanced orthopedic care available. Trust our fellowship-trained specialists in Nashville, TN, and Franklin, TN, for comprehensive orthopedic care tailored to your specific needs.
Author: AMWN Dev
Related Articles
The American College of Rheumatology estimates that about 790,000 knee replacements occur in the United States annually. Post-knee surgery care is vital to helping you [...]
Foot injuries are one of the most common injuries that lead to a workers' compensation claim. Together, the human foot and ankle put in some [...]
"Hi everyone! My name is Mary Kay Carter, and I wanted to share a story that's really close to my heart. In late November 2022, [...]
Back to School: The Importance of Orthopedic Health for Students As summer draws to a close, students and parents alike start preparing for the new [...]
The 2022 American Joint Replacement Registry Annual Report compiled 2.8 million hip and knee procedures across all 50 states. It's an increase of 14% from [...]
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle that requires medical attention, who do you see for treatment — an orthopedist or a podiatrist? Many people think a podiatrist is the same as an orthopedist, but there are several significant differences betw
