Spine Surgery | UW Department of Neurological Surgery

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington offers three positions for a one-year Spine Fellowship. The Neurological Surgery Spine Fellow is appointed as an Acting Instructor in the Department of Neurological Surgery. Progressive independence in patient evaluation and management is encouraged during the course of the fellowship.

Our spine fellowship training program provides exposure to the widest possible range of spinal pathology with respect to the nature and location of spinal disorders and their treatment options. The training sites include Harborview Medical Center (only level 1 trauma center in four pacific northwest states) and both campuses of the University of Washington Medical Center; UWMC-Montlake and UWMC-Northwest. Spine fellows spend majority of their time at Harborview Medical Center (HMC). However, they are encouraged to join the spine fellowship trained faculty members at both UWMC campuses.

The level 1 trauma center status at Harborview Medical Center exposes the fellow to the entire breadth of spine trauma. Complex stabilization and reconstructive spinal procedures are routinely carried out and the fellows are also exposed to the multidisciplinary care and management of this highly fragile and complex patient population. Fellows also participate in complex spinal deformity procedures, thus exposing them to valuable insights into deformity-reduction maneuvers and fundamental concepts of spine deformity surgery.

In addition to spine trauma and complex deformity surgery, we also focus on minimally invasive spine surgery. The University of Washington is a worldwide leader in full-endoscopic spine surgery. The fellow will learn how to perform endoscopic decompression surgeries on all segments of the spinal column. In order to facilitate the learning curve of this novel technique, fellows are encouraged to participate in our annual West Coast Fellows and Residents course at the University of Washington WISH laboratory. Additionally, all traditional minimally invasive surgeries such as MIS-TLIF, ELIF, OLIF are carried out routinely at HMC and UWMC campuses. The University of Washington Medical Center is also local hub for metastatic spine tumors. A multidisciplinary approach including radiation oncology and oncology is in place to provide the best care for these patients.

The case range through the year is widespread and divided roughly as follows: 20% trauma; 55% degenerative disorders; 10% deformity; and 15% neoplasia/infection. The distribution between cervical and thoraco-lumbar pathology is approximately 50-50. The overall spine caseload within our teaching hospitals exceeds 2500 surgical procedures per annum, with an average of 240 spine procedures per annum. Every effort is made to provide each fellow the entire spectrum of spinal care.

Spine fellows will actively participate in the management of all facets of spinal surgery, including extensive mentoring in complex trauma cases, tumors, infection, degenerative disorders and spinal deformity, all forms of spinal instrumentation, image-guided navigation and robotic surgeries, minimally invasive procedures and full-endoscopic spine surgery. We expect excellence in clinical practice, research and educational efforts during the fellowship year, and offer mentoring and assistance with attaining career and employment objectives.

Trainee Position Description and Essential Functions

ACCREDITATION

Accredited by the Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training (CAST)

Sections

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for the Neurological Surgery Spine Fellowship must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Successful completion of an ACGME-accredited Neurosurgery Residency Program or Canadian equivalent prior to fellowship start date
Completion of all prerequisite residency and/or fellowship training required for advanced spine surgical education
Board eligible or board certified in Neurological Surgery
Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State medical license appropriate for fellowship training and clinical responsibilities, including:
- Physician and Surgeon License, or
- Other license type permitted by institutional and state regulatory requirements
Completion of USMLE Step 3 (or equivalent qualifying examination) prior to appointment
ECFMG Certification required for international medical graduates, if applicable
Demonstrated eligibility for hospital credentialing and clinical privileges
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment
The fellowship does not sponsor visas; applicants requiring visa sponsorship are not eligible for appointment

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the Neurological Surgery Spine Fellowship must submit a complete application package for consideration. Required application materials include:

Letter of interest
Current curriculum vitae (CV)
Three letters of recommendation
Additional supporting documentation may be requested at the discretion of the program

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should send application materials to: nsfellowship@uw.edu

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed once all required documents, including a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation, have been received and reviewed.

The selection process is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s:

Clinical and operative performance
Experience in spinal surgery and management of complex spinal disorders
Academic achievements and scholarly activity
Professionalism, leadership, communication, and multidisciplinary teamwork
Commitment to spine surgery, patient safety, and academic neurosurgery
Overall preparedness for advanced fellowship training

Selected candidates whose qualifications, training background, and career goals align with the objectives of the fellowship will be contacted to schedule interviews.

The interview process provides applicants with an opportunity to discuss:

Clinical and operative spine experience
Spine surgery interests and career goals
Research and academic activities
Educational objectives and professional development
Commitment to multidisciplinary spine care and academic neurosurgery

ACCOMMODATIONS

Applicants who require disability accommodation for the interview may request an accommodation from the UW Disability Services Office. In the event that such an accommodation is requested, the UW Disability Services Office will inform the GME Office and the Program of the request in order to facilitate an appropriate accommodation, if indicated.

APPOINTMENT LENGTH, SALARY AND BENEFITS

Appointment Length

12 months (July 1 – June 30)

Salary

At the University of Washington, clinical fellows are frequently appointed with the academic title of Acting Instructor, which designates a transitional, faculty-level status during advanced training.

Current annual base salary for Acting Instructors: $120,000 ($10,000 per month)
Clinical fellows may be eligible for additional clinical activities, such as moonlighting or Saturday surgeries, subject to approval by the Chair and School of Medicine, which, if approved, will provide additional compensation.

Benefits

UW Faculty Leave Policies

UW Benefit Summary for Fellows

Contact Information

For more information about the UW Spine Surgery Fellowship Program, please contact: nsfellowship@uw.edu.

FELLOWSHIP FACULTY

Neurological Surgery:

Picture of Dr. Fangyi Zhang

Fangyi Zhang, MD

Fellowship Director

Professor, Neurological Surgery
Professor, Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Global Health
fzhang@uw.edu

Picture of Dr. Christoph Hofstetter

Christoph Hofstetter, MD, PhD

Fellowship Co-Director

Professor, Neurological Surgery
chh9045@uw.edu

Picture of Dr. Randall Chesnutt data-entity-type=

Randall Chesnut, MD

Professor, Neurological Surgery
Integra Endowed Professor in
Neurotrauma
Professor, Orthopaedics & Sports
Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Global Health

Picture of Dr. Richard Ellenbogen

Richard G. Ellenbogen, MD, FACS

Chairman & Professor
Theodore S. Roberts Endowed Chair in Pediatric
Neurosurgery
Director, UW Medicine Neurosciences Institute
Director, Neurological Surgery Residency Program
Founding Co-Executive Director, Seattle Sports
Concussion Program
Professor, Department of Radiology
Adjunct Professor, Global Health

Adjunct Faculty:

Picture of Dr. Carlo Bellabarba