Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Fellowship

Our aim is to maximize the fellowship educational experience and it is our opinion that dedicated time for research and critical thinking is necessary. To that end, at least one-half day per week of the fellow’s time will be set aside to pursue research efforts. He or she will be expected to produce at least one manuscript of publishable quality during the fellowship year.

The fellowship will fully fund attendance at the POSNA annual meeting and will subsidize any meeting during one’s fellowship year at which the fellow is presenting research generated at Children's National. Also in keeping with our philosophy of maximizing educational opportunities, the fellowship will fully fund attendance at IPOS the year prior to the fellowship if this time is allowed by the incoming fellow’s residency program.

The fellowship training program takes pride in its robust schedule that encompasses participation at monthly conferences in spine and orthopedic research and hospital-wide lectures. Fellows join faculty in giving some of the morning conference lectures to the residents and presenting cases at weekly teaching conferences. Teaching conferences are held throughout the week and the indications conference is held weekly each Thursday morning. 

The fellow is also invited to attend an educational dinner with one or more faculty members every other month at which time a key topic including current literature will be discussed. The fellow’s progress in the program and his/her future employment search are also discussed.

Past fellows have also availed themselves of opportunities in cadaver labs. Teaming up with industry sponsors, faculty members work with fellows and interested residents on cadavers, practicing difficult exposures and techniques.

Fellows have the rare opportunity to translate innovative research concepts into surgical clinical practice at Children’s National.

The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine offers a wide range of clinical research activities, with projects investigating pediatric trauma, spinal deformity, early-onset scoliosis, neuromuscular conditions and bone health. Fellows are expected to participate in at least one research project under the direction of a dedicated staff member and our department research coordinator.
Among other benefits, the presence of a research coordinator allows for fellows to start their research project(s) prior to starting their fellowship year, allowing for ample time to complete a project.

In addition to exposure and assistance in clinical research projects, fellows have the opportunity to participate in other research collaborations through the division. These include work with advanced imaging modalities with the Division of Radiology and surgical robotics and navigation with the Bioengineering Initiative in the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation; and in some instances, participate in basic science research in collaboration with the Children’s National Research Institute.

The program also provides support to prepare fellows for research presentations at national meetings. This includes access to MEDLINE searches and full-text articles on OVID and MD Consult databases. Additional resources are available through the Children’s National and George Washington University School of Medicine medical libraries, including assistance with literature searches, retrieval of articles and use of interlibrary loans.  

What are the benefits?

• Health, dental and vision
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Annual and sick leave
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Backup child and elder care

A detailed summary of all benefits can be found in our benefits guide.

What is the call responsibility?

The fellow is not required to take call except the night prior to the OITE exam. The fellow may elect to take back-up call to augment his/her educational experience.

What type of ancillary support do you have to facilitate patient care and research?

Our department has two inpatient nurse practitioners who provide continuity of care for our inpatients and streamline inpatient care. We have three outpatient nurse practitioners, five physician assistants and one athletic trainer who help with outpatient care, thus minimizing the administrative duties of the fellow and allowing for greater time for the faculty to educate in clinic. We also have a research coordinator to help with IRBs, research organization and submissions.