Orthopaedic Traumatology Fellowship
The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Orthopaedic Traumatology Fellowship Program offers a diverse experience incorporating five full-time SLU traumatologists — all with designated areas of interest and expertise.
Program Overview
The one-year orthopaedic traumatology fellowship is accredited by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Fellows train alongside the SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital trauma service, which includes a chief resident, senior and junior residents, and SLU medical students, as well as a trauma nurse practitioner and clinical trauma nurse.
Fellows will benefit from a substantial operative caseload; the trauma service treats 35-45 patients each day and runs two to three orthopaedic trauma operating rooms daily. While fellows can select the cases that align with their interests and future goals, they are expected to take full advantage of the high volume of available operative opportunities.
The following statistics are from the 2020-2021 academic year:
Program Volume
- 2,907 ER orthopaedic trauma admissions
- 1,802 total operative procedures performed by trauma service
- 650-800 averages cases per fellow
Surgical Case Numbers
- Pelvic and acetabular surgery: 176
- Humerus and elbow: 87
- Tibial plateau: 72
- Leg and ankle: 349
- Foot and toes: 46
- Femoral shaft fractures: 104
- Proximal femur and peritrochanteric fractures: 72
- Nonunions: 37
- Ring fixators: 20
- Spanning ex-fix: 59
- Open fractures: 79
- Daily Cases: service as primary operating surgeon under the assistance and supervision of faculty.
- Subspecialized, Complex or Reconstruction Cases: role as assistant surgeon, or primary surgeon depending on skill level.
- Routine Trauma Cases: occasional staffing of routine trauma case (e.g., washout, ankle fracture, femoral nail, etc.); not in lieu of primary trauma case of interest
- Teaching Opportunities: basic tenets of trauma care, evolution and management of patients, operative principles of long bone fracture fixation
Fellows take call approximately five to seven times per month, depending on the trauma staff schedule. Faculty is always available to answer questions or address problems.
- Month One: no call
- Month Two: supervised call
- Beginning Month Three: Monitored supervision
- Independent night call as attending on trauma service
- Full operative privileges
Fellowship training includes numerous basic science research opportunities.
- Key Areas: fracture biomechanics and orthobiologics
- Fully Staffed Labs: biomechanics and cellular biology labs run by Ph.D. experts, master's students and doctoral candidates
- Collaborative Environment: facilities dedicated to collaborative orthopaedic research projects
Previous fellows have obtained a wide variety of positions, including academic traumatologists running trauma services at:
- Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California
- State University New York in Buffalo, New York
- Louisiana State University in New Orleans, Louisiana
- University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado
- University of Missouri- Springfield in Springfield, Missouri
Other graduates are heading level 1 and level 2 trauma services for large orthopaedic groups practicing in community-based institutions nationwide.
Program Highlights
- Level 1 trauma center treating largest number of trauma patients in Missouri
- Average 650-800 cases per year
- Select cases that benefit interests and goals
- Collaborative research opportunities in fracture biomechanics and orthobiologics
- Options for additional training: Active pediatric trauma
- Microvascular hand service
- Adult reconstruction
Apply
The fellowship program has one available position per year.
It participates in the SF Match in coordination with the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA).
About the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program
SSM Health proudly sponsors the Graduate Medical Education Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This university-based training program offers a world-class academic environment that fosters clinical excellence, research innovation and compassionate care. All program participants are employed by SSM Health, ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience within a nationally recognized health system.