University at Buffalo Program

Overview of the Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship

The Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at the University at Buffalo is a comprehensive one-year program designed for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in hand and upper extremity surgery. The program aims to equip fellows with essential surgical and research experience through a structured curriculum encompassing extensive clinical training and mentorship.

Program director Robert H. Ablove, MD, emphasizes a personalized approach where fellows’ experiences are tailored according to their individual interests. This commitment to customization allows for focused skill development in various outpatient and surgical settings.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum includes a balance of hands-on clinical training, research initiatives, and teaching opportunities specifically within hand and upper extremity surgery. Fellows gain exposure to a broad spectrum of conditions and procedures, including shoulder arthroplasty, trauma, post-traumatic reconstruction, microsurgery, and congenital deformities.

To enrich their learning experience, fellows are expected to participate in a variety of conferences designed to complement clinical training. These include emergency case discussions, interesting case reviews, and a weekly journal club focusing on current literature. Each fellow will also prepare and present didactic lectures every three months, providing essential teaching experience.

Clinical Rotations and Training Sites

The fellowship provides clinical experiences across multiple training sites, including a Level I trauma center, a children’s hospital, and various ambulatory surgical facilities. This diverse exposure enhances fellows' adaptability and ensures comprehensive training in different clinical environments.

Key sites include the Buffalo General Medical Center, where fellows manage a wide array of pathologies within an intensive clinical setting, and satellite offices where specialized cases are also addressed. Rotations are structured into blocks that allow fellows to work closely with attending physicians, ensuring individualized learning experiences while developing critical surgical skills.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the fellowship, with expectations that fellows will complete and present at least one research project during their training. Faculty members provide mentorship in clinical research and ensure that fellows have adequate time to engage in meaningful research endeavors.

Fellows are also encouraged to attend national conferences, such as those hosted by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, where they can present their findings and network with other professionals in the field. Financial support for conference attendance is provided, facilitating broader engagement in the orthopedic community.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship program offers competitive salaries, with fellows receiving additional value through a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include standard allowances for vacation and sick leave, as well as provisions for family and medical leave to support work-life balance during training.

Financial assistance extends to various resident support mechanisms, such as access to university facilities and resources that enhance the training experience. These benefits reflect the program's commitment to fostering supportive training environments.

Diversity and Inclusiveness

The University at Buffalo's fellowship is dedicated to promoting diversity within its training environment. This commitment manifests in the acceptance of candidates from various educational backgrounds, including MD and DO graduates, as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) holding appropriate visa statuses, such as J-1 or H-1B.

The program aims to create a rich learning atmosphere where candidates from varied backgrounds contribute to the depth of discussion and experience within the unit.

Application Instructions and Competitiveness

Applicants for the Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship must possess a completed application with requisite documentation, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a medical license. The selection process is highly competitive, with approximately 25 applications for only three available positions annually.

Requirements for applicants also include graduation from an accredited residency program and completion of five years of postgraduate training before the start of the fellowship. The invitation for interviews is based on the review of submitted application materials.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the University at Buffalo's Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship is a comprehensive program dedicated to developing skilled specialists capable of delivering high-quality care in orthopedic settings.