Fellowship programs provide post-residency subspecialty training to prepare surgeons for a career in academic orthopaedics, in private practice with an academic emphasis and in private practice with an area of special interest. Fellowships offer a balance of intensive clinical experience, research and teaching opportunities and augment and enhance the residency training program. The following subspecialties currently offer fellowships: 

The Trauma Fellowship is suitable for persons interested in an academic career, private practice with a concentration in trauma or a full-time military career. UC Davis Health System is a Level I trauma center and the regional trauma center for the Central Valley of California. Our service works closely with the other surgical subspecialties involved in trauma. The fellowship provides extensive general experience in the entire field of acute trauma, management of the multiply injured patient, and surgical treatment of complex fractures of the acetabulum and pelvis. We provide extensive experience with minimally invasive fracture fixation techniques.  Additionally, we provide exposure to a wide range of post-traumatic deformity care using contemporary correction techniques. The fellowship also provides ample research opportunities. UC Davis trauma fellowship is not ACGME accredited.  More information may be found in our fellowship brochure. All interested individuals should apply through the SFMatch program. 

The Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Fellowship offers comprehensive exposure to traumatic and reconstructive hand surgery, as well as microvascular surgery and surgical correction of congenital defects. On-call coverage is in cooperation with the Department of Plastic Surgery. The fellowship allots time for the completion of a laboratory or clinical research project, which should be of sufficient quality to be presented to a national meeting and submitted for publication. Hand fellowships are ACGME accredited providing added certification. Our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program.  For more information, please contact the Academic Coordinator at barbara.petitt@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu or 916.734.3678.  For more information regarding this fellowship, please refer to our brochure.

The Adult Reconstructive Fellowship is a one year program in primary and revision total joint replacements of the hip and knee beginning August 1st of each year. A high volume of primary and revision cases as well as the opportunity for research projects should prepare applicant for a career in either academics or private practice. The primary goal of this Adult Reconstruction Fellowship is to mentor an individual in all aspects of adult reconstruction. This fellowship is an exciting state of the art experience that has numerous specialists that promise to provide a learning experience of both traditional and cutting edge innovations in the field. Each staff person has a diverse training experience and brings a unique perspective to total joint replacement. Many are heavily involved in research as well as clinical pursuits and education. Four of the five workdays are spent in the operating room. The fifth day is a protected day to pursue research interests and gain office experience. Substantial research opportunities are available with ample support to assist in the production of publishable quality projects. The schedule is established as a full year rotation schedule, rather than a rotation format, to assure the experience and relationships with each attending are maximized.  UC Davis adult reconstructive fellowships are not ACGME accredited and do not participate in the National Resident Matching Program.  All interested individuals should apply through the AAHKS Fellowship Match.

The Spinal Disorders Fellowship is a one-year program that provides extensive clinical exposure to the evaluation and treatment of pediatric and adult spinal deformities, including kyphosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, congenital disorders, degenerative problems of the cervical and lumbar spine and spine trauma and spine trauma and spinal cord injury. The fellow will work closely with the four attending surgeons in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as the attending staff in the Spine Center. The fellow will gain extensive clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of complex primary and revisions spinal surgery and disorders. The fellowship is designed to allow increasing responsibility in the clinics and in surgery. Unique research opportunities are available in animal models and biomechanical analysis of spinal implants in the cervical and thoracolumbar spine. The fellowship is oriented toward training a qualified individual in all aspects of spinal surgery in preparation for an academic position after completion of the program. UC Davis spine fellowships are not ACGME accredited but will be participating in the National Resident Matching Program. More information may be found in our fellowship brochure. All interested individuals should apply through the SFMatch program.  

Excellence in patient care and teaching are the highest priorities of the academic faculty.  Administrative and research support services are available to the fellow, in addition to the assistance of physician-extenders.  The fellow is expected to have their own weekly clinics at both UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospital, and to participate in a wide array of clinics including General Pediatric Orthopaedics, Pediatric Fracture, Spine, Hand, Limb Deficiency/Prosthetics, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy, and Sports.  The Orthopaedic Service at Shriners Hospital also provides consultative support for busy Burn Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Services.

The goals of this fellowship are to impart a life-long enthusiasm for learning, practicing, and teaching pediatric orthopaedics, and to prepare the fellow for a career in pediatric orthopaedic surgery, including the treatment of the upper extremity and spine.  All interested individuals should send a CV to the Fellowship Director Jennette Boakes, or Shriner's Hospital for Children Department Chair and UCDavis Division Chief Michelle James with any questions.

For more information, contact Shirl Fischer, academic personnel coordinator, at 916.734.5875 or via email shirl.fischer@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.