Developing Tomorrow’s Hand Surgeons

The Orthopedic Hand Surgery Fellowship provides fellows with an intellectually stimulating and challenging clinical, surgical and research environment to develop orthopedic hand surgeons who are prepared and qualified to enter any practice setting.

Fellows work hand in hand with fellowship-trained, board-certified hand, orthopedic sports and plastic surgeons from Baptist Health Orthopaedic Care on the assessment and treatment of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, pre-and-post-operative exams and consultations, trauma cases and rehabilitation.

Fellows will be active in the operating room performing a robust number of procedures, averaging 700 surgical cases every year. Most procedures take place at the state-of-the-art Baptist Health Surgery Center – Coral Gables.

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Featured Training Sites

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute

The Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is a multi-site practice, offering comprehensive orthopedic services, including sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, adult reconstruction and trauma care.

Doctors Hospital 

Doctors Hospital

High Performing Hospital, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Located in historic Coral Gables, Doctors Hospital has provided high-quality medical care since its opening in 1949.

Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex

Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex

The Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex is a state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic care facility located next to the Miami Dolphins training facility, with clinical areas overlooking the team’s practice field.

Baptist Health Surgery Center – Coral Gables

Baptist Health Surgery Center – Coral Gables

The Baptist Health Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, fully dedicated to performing orthopedic procedures, located in the Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Doctors Hospital.

Baptist Health Surgery Center - Plantation

Baptist Health Surgery Center - Plantation

The Baptist Health Surgery Center, located in Plantation, is a 14,300-square-foot multi-specialty center offering the latest in surgical care and anesthesia technology.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

No. 22 in Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children and the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States.

West Kendall Baptist Hospital

West Kendall Baptist Hospital

West Kendall Baptist Hospital features 203 private rooms and provides care for adult medical and surgical services, including a separate critical care unit.

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Bio-Skills Lab 

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Bio-Skills Lab

The Bio-Skills Lab at Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is fully equipped with the latest arthroscopic equipment and provides residents and fellows with a simulated surgical setting.

Curriculum

Fellows will spend at least three days in the operating room, one and a half days in clinic and a half day dedicated to research time each week.

We offer elective learning experiences, including pediatrics, trauma and elbow/shoulder sports medicine.

Longitudinal Rotations

Our program curriculum incorporates longitudinal rotations, immersing trainees in particular areas of study throughout the entire duration of the training program.

  • Operating Room

    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 extremity conditions. Fellows will spend no less than three days in the OR performing cases at Baptist Health Surgery Centers located in Coral Gables and Plantation, Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

  • Clinic

    Fellows will spend between one and one and a half days in clinic evaluating patients with hand and upper extremity conditions. Fellows will evaluate patients before 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 include a dedicated Fellow’s Office. During clinic, the allied health professionals include physician assistants, certified athletic trainers and medical assistants who support physicians. Our practice currently uses the Cerner electronic health record that is also used in inpatient settings. Fellows will receive specialized training in this system as part of their onboarding.

  • Research

    Fellows will actively participate in their own original research and can join ongoing projects. Fellows will receive support from certified clinical research coordinators, volunteers and a research and education coordinator. Other resources will include the medical library and a BioSkills Lab.

    Microsurgery and Bio-Skills Training

    Microsurgery training is an integral part of the Hand Fellowship education and a one-week course in basic microsurgical techniques will be conducted at our Microsurgery Laboratory located at the affiliated Florida International University. Advanced microsurgical skills training days are spaced throughout the fellowship year.

    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.

  • Didactics

    Faculty, fellows and allied health professionals actively participate in the program's didactic education series.

    The didactics include:

    • Hand Surgery 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.
    • Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Lecture Series: Weekly teaching conference in conjunction with the orthopedic sports medicine fellows and faculty for upper extremity topics.
    • Journal Club: A monthly series 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: A monthly series to present and discuss interesting cases from our own and/or case reports from the literature, followed by discussion.
    • Bio-Skills Lab: Monthly surgical techniques hands-on cadaver lab training with faculty members.
    • 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 the fellowship program. To give fellows a broad perspective, some topics will be covered by more than one lecturer.
  • Rehabilitation

    The primary purpose of rehabilitation services will be to provide assessment, treatment, and education to patients and their family members. The rehabilitation plan is designed to promote health, restore function, and improve overall lifestyle. Fellows will collaborate directly with physical therapists and certified athletic trainers.

  • Teaching

    Each year, fellows will participate as instructors for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Musculoskeletal Course. This course will allow them to develop and hone their skills as they teach fourth-year medical students.

Fellowship Application Requirements

Our program attracts, educates and retains exceptional talent to serve the South Florida community.

Acceptance/admission to the program is contingent on the submission of all requested materials and meeting all eligibility requirements determined by the program.

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.

Fellowship Prerequisites

  • Board-eligible graduate of a US 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 the state of Florida

The Orthopedic Hand Surgery Fellowship match is managed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Candidates will need to register and create a match list with the NRMP.

However, the application process is completed on the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Universal Hand Surgery Fellowship Application.

Application Requirements

  • NRMP registration
  • ASSH Universal Hand Surgery Fellowship Application
  • Personal Statement
  • CV listing all scholarly activity (publications/presentations)
  • Three letters of recommendation (signed and on letterhead); one letter must be from a hand surgeon familiar with an applicant’s character and abilities and one must be from the director of your residency program
  • Medical school transcripts
  • Three exam scores
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A Transformative Education

At the Wertheim College of Medicine, your journey is enhanced by diversity, research, innovation and community outreach. Our programs empower the next generation of physicians with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to become leaders in the health care field.

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