Academic Experience
The University of Utah Spine Fellowship provides a complete, well-rounded academic experience in spine surgery with emphasis on clinical experience and research. The clinical experience includes all aspects of both non-operative and operative treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disorders.
The two fellows will gain significant experience treating all spinal pathologies and will be comfortable approaching the spine from the skull to the sacrum both anteriorly and posteriorly. Traditional open techniques are taught, in addition to newer minimally techniques such as navigation, percutaneous screw placement, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusions and Cervical Disk Arthroplasty.
We operate at the main University of Utah Hospital operating rooms, as well as at the Neurosciences center with opportunities to scrub with our neurosurgical colleagues as desired. Fellows will also operate at the University Orthopaedic Center and treat patients at the Salt Lake City VA. All facilities are within 1 mile of the U of U hospital.
Case Volume
Approximately 350 cases per year and includes:
- 30% deformity (adult and pediatric)
- 40% degenerative conditions, including complex revision/reconstruction (Cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
- 15% trauma, including the management of spinal cord injuries
- 15% tumor/infection
Duration: One year (August 1–July 31)
Director: Ryan Spiker, MD
Our Team
The University Orthopaedic Spine Service includes: Drs. Brodke, Lawrence, Spiker, Spina and Karamian; the 2 Orthopedic Spine Fellows; 2 rotating Orthopaedic Residents (PGY3 and PGY2) and medical students. The service shares the Level-1 spine trauma call and cases equally with the Neurosurgical Spine Service on a rotating basis, covering spine trauma essentially half the month. In addition, the team runs the VA Hospital Ortho Spine Service, including the clinic, elective cases, consults, and occasional trauma.
Each of the fellows rotates between two schedules on the Ortho Spine service (see below), for approximately one month at a time. In addition, the fellows are in charge of the VA Hospital Ortho Spine Service, with close supervision and guidance from the attendings and coverage from the residents.
Schedule
The average week is split up as follows:
- 3 days in the OR (+ trauma)
- 1.5 days in clinic
- ½ day of protected research time
Spine Rotation
Fellow 1
Monday
• 7:30am: OR with Dr. Lawrence or Dr. Spiker
Tuesday
• 8:00am: Clinic with Dr. Spiker or Dr. Spina
Wednesday
• 6:30am: Spine Didactic Conference
• 7:00am: Orthopaedic Grand Rounds
• 8:30am: VA OR or OR with Dr. Brodke / Spiker / Lawrence / Spina / Karamian
Thursday
• 6:30 am: Ortho Spine Indications conference
• 7:30 am: OR with Dr. Spiker or Dr. Spina
Friday
• 8:00am: VA Clinic (Both Fellows and VA Nurse Practitioner)
• Afternoon: Admin / Research Time
Spine Rotation
Fellow 2
Monday
• 7:30am: OR with Dr. Brodke, Dr. Lawrence or Dr. Karamian
Tuesday
• 8:00am: Clinic with Dr. Brodke, Dr. Lawrence or Dr. Karamian
Wednesday
• 6:30am: Spine Didactic Conference
• 7:00am: Orthopaedic Grand Rounds
• 8:30am: VA OR or OR with Dr. Brodke / Spina / Spiker / Lawrence / Karamian
Thursday
• 6:30 am: Ortho Spine Indications conference
• 7:30 am: OR with Dr. Brodke or Dr. Lawrence
Friday
• 8:00am: VA Clinic (Both Fellows and VA Nurse Practitioner)
• Afternoon: Admin / Research Time
Program Benefits
The University of Utah is an AO Spine Fellowship site (1 of 25 sites in North America) which provides an opportunity to be involved with this great organization at the early stage of your career. As an AO fellow you will have the opportunity to be involved in several courses throughout the year including a Fellows Introductory course that is cadaver lab focused as well as the Fellows Forum at the end of the year to present the research you have done during your fellowship and network with AO leaders.
In addition, the fellows choose another conference to attend during the year. Historically, fellows have chosen to attend SRS, NASS, and CSRS. There is also the NASS Evidence and Technology Spine Summit held in February each year at Park City. During this meeting fellows are included in the Utah Alumni dinner and have the chance to discuss spine surgery, and ski, with many acclaimed spine surgeons from around the nation.
Research
Research and teaching are integral parts of this fellowship. The fellow will participate in ongoing and original clinical and/or basic science research projects. The fellow will also participate in and lead spine conferences, teaching both orthopaedic residents and medical students.
Locations
- University of Utah Health
- University Orthopaedic Center
- VA Hospital
Tiffany Schild
Phone: 801-587-5457
Fax: 801-587-5411
Email: Tiffany.schild@hsc.utah.edu
University of Utah Orthopaedic Center
590 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108