Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University Health Program

The Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University Health Program offers a specialized Hand Surgery Fellowship within the Department of Orthopaedics aimed at providing an intensive one-year post-residency training experience. This fellowship is centered on diseases and surgical procedures associated with the hand, elbow, and shoulder, as well as microvascular reconstruction techniques. It is noteworthy that the program participates in the Hand Surgery Match and holds accreditation from the ACGME, ensuring a high standard of training and clinical excellence.

The fellowship's primary goal is to equip fellowship-trained orthopaedic, plastic, or general surgeons with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform hand and upper extremity surgeries autonomously after completion of the program. This training experience emphasizes a balance between clinical responsibilities and academic research, thereby fostering future surgeons to engage actively with clinical and basic science inquiries even after finishing the fellowship 1.

Clinical Training and Responsibilities

Fellows are integral to the clinical activities, participating in approximately 2,100 operative cases annually, taking a proactive stance to engage in numerous surgical procedures. The combination of robust fellowship training with a large residency program allows fellows to take on teaching and supervisory roles over resident staff during the clinical management of inpatient and outpatient cases.

Clinical responsibilities extend to a weekly active hand clinic within the Rhode Island Hospital, where fellows play a substantial role alongside resident staff and attending surgeons. The fellowship also provides opportunities for involvement in the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Providence, promoting comprehensive care for hand and upper extremity problems 1.

The typical weekly schedule includes two days of patient evaluations in clinics, two days dedicated to surgical operations, and one day set aside for research. Given the nature of the fellowship, there is flexibility within this schedule to accommodate specific research projects or unique operative experiences as they arise.

Research Opportunities

The Hand Surgery Fellowship emphasizes research involvement, requiring fellows to engage with their own research projects throughout the year. The Division has established a research laboratory, staffed full-time, to support fellows in their projects as well as collaborate with medical students and residents across a range of clinical inquiries 1.

Fellows are expected to complete one or two major projects during the fellowship, suitable for presentation at national forums and for publication in medical journals. Additionally, a microvascular training lab is available for fellows to refine their microvascular surgical skills 1.

Program Logistics and Support

The fellowship supports three fellows annually. Compensation is aligned with the fellow's level of training and follows the guidelines set by the Rhode Island Hospital's Department of Graduate Medical Education. Benefits for fellows include health, dental, life, and disability insurance. A budget is allocated for attending the annual meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, as well as purchasing necessary equipment, such as surgical loupes and photographic supplies 1.

Typically, the fellowship runs from August 1 through July 31, and fellows are entitled to two weeks of vacation, with potential flexibility for job interviews 1.

Application Process and Eligibility

Applicants must complete an electronic submission through the American Society for Surgery of the Hand website, including a Universal Hand Surgery Fellowship Application, three letters of recommendation, medical school transcripts, a CV, a personal statement, and a current photograph.

This program is recognized for being competitive yet friendly towards DOs and IMGs looking to enhance their skill set through a fellowship on a prestigious platform. Visa sponsorship for applicable fellowship candidates is available, typically including J-1 or H-1B visa types. However, expectations around application include eligibility pertaining to the year of graduation and specific thresholds regarding USMLE Step examination failures 1.

The program expresses interest in applicants who are not only committed to honing their skills in hand and upper extremity surgery but also those who envision an ongoing academic engagement that contributes to future advancements in the field.