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Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship

About the Fellowship

This fellowship offers exposure to all aspects of clinical hand and upper extremity surgery including elbow, forearm, wrist and hand trauma, adult reconstruction, neuromuscular disorders of the upper extremity, congenital deformities, traumatic and reconstruction microsurgery, as well as shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction. 

The fellow plays a vital role in a fast-paced clinical team, providing care to patients at a level I trauma center, hospital, VA, and children's hospital. They have hands-on exposure to a wide range of outpatient and operative procedures as well as access to a microvascular surgery laboratory to practice techniques of microvascular surgery. This fellowship is closely tied to the orthopedic residency program at UC San Diego with close interaction academically and clinically.

Academic activities include a weekly hand and upper extremity surgery journal club, a monthly hand surgery conference and a weekly repeating 13-week anatomy series involving cadaver dissection. Attendance is encouraged at weekly Grand Rounds and basic science and trauma conferences. Protected research time is allocated to fellows who are required to utilize it for the purpose of completing a research project centered on the hand and upper extremity. Collaborative research opportunities are readily available with basic science research faculty and laboratory space at your disposal.

COVID-19 Mandate:

UC San Diego and San Diego County Health policies mandate that all healthcare workers be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or have an exemption for medical or religious reasons (subject to review and approval). UC San Diego's major affiliates have similar expectations. Health care workers who are out of compliance may not participate in direct patient care. 

Application Process

Applicants must be board-qualified or board-certified, have a California Medical License and California Fluoroscopy License prior to commencement of the fellowship and have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in orthopedic or plastic surgery.

Our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please go to Upcoming Deadlines to find specific NRMP Match dates.

Please note: We no longer accept paper applications.

The following documents are required for all applications:

  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement
  • Medical school transcript
  • Standardized Tests (USMLE or equivalent)

Submit application materials to:

American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)

  • Deadline: Nov 15
  • Interview Dates: February 2024

Contact Information

Sandra Gutierrez
Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
UC San Diego Medical Center
200 West Arbor Drive, Mail Code 8894
San Diego, CA 92103-8894
619-543-2539
s5gutierrez@health.ucsd.edu

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.