Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship Program

University of California, DavisOrthopaedic Spine Fellowship ProgramThe Spine Fellowship is a one-yearprogram that provides extensiveclinical exposure to the evaluationand treatment of pediatric andadult spinal disorders includingkyphosis, neuromuscular scoliosis,congenital disorders, degenerativeproblems of the cervical and lumbarspine, and spine trauma and spinalcord injury. Modern surgicaltechniques, including minimalaccess surgery and arthroplasty,are learned in conjunction withmore traditional approaches.The fellows will work closely withthe four attending surgeons in theDepartment of OrthopaedicSurgery, as well as with theattending staff in the Spine Center.The fellowship is designed toallow increasing responsibility inthe clinics and in surgery.Fellows will also have weekly timeallotments for basic science andclinical research projects. Currentresearch in the departmentinvolves percutaneous animalfusion/degeneration models andthe biomechanical analysis ofspinal implants in the cervical andthoracolumbar spine.Spine FacultyMunish Gupta, MDProfessor, Chief and SpineCenter Co-DirectorRolando Roberto, MDAssociate ProfessorResidency Program DirectorEric Klineberg, MDAssistant Professor. FellowshipDirector and AssistantResidency DirectorThe spine service is run by the spine fellows,a senior resident, a junior resident and anintern. Faculty take trauma call everyother week as the trauma is dividedbetween orthopaedics and neurosurgery.The fellows take call with the faculty.The spine fellows, along with the chiefresident, are responsible for all patientson the spine service. Junior residents domost of the daily hands-on care.Fellows will operate at the University ofCalifornia, Davis Medical Center and theShriners Hospital for Children of NorthernCalifornia, both located on the Universityof California, Davis’ Sacramento campus.There will be 3 month rotations betweenthe two hospitals so that each fellow willcoordinate care and cases at thoseindividual hospitals. The fellow willlearn to use spinal instrumentation, todecompress the spinal cord and nervesand the essentials of spinal fusion in boththe anterior and posterior spine.Weekly ConferencesOrthopaedic Grand Rounds - Tuesdays 7 amSpine Teaching Session - Wednesdays 7 amPediatric Spine Surgery - Thursdays 6:45 am(once a month)Spine Pre-OP/Post-OP Review -Thursdays 5 pmThe fellowship is orientated towardtraining qualified individuals in allaspects of spinal surgery inpreparation for an academic orprivate position after completionof the program.Fellowship Goals• To be able to diagnose spinal pathology in both children and adults• To be capable of using traditional and modern technique for treating allaspects of spinal pathology• To be capable of participating in a spinal program in an academic institutionor in a private office