Host Site Application Is Now Closed.
This once in a lifetime opportunity, offered exclusively to OTA members, will offer early- to mid-career orthopaedic trauma surgeons advanced experience, networking, and professional development from 8-12 different host sites.
After completion of the fellowship, OTA will appoint a committee position for each fellow in hopes to enrich the lives of the traveling fellows and build future leaders within our organization.
Eligibility:
- Board Certified before applying
- Less than 10 years in practice
- US or Canada resident who has completed an OTA Fellowship
- OTA Member
Goals:
- Immersive leadership experience for orthopaedic trauma surgeons
- Broadening understanding and improved networking
- Deeper connections with an appointed senior mentor
- Knowledge and first-hand experience of fixation strategies and local trauma care across the country
- Preparation for an educational highlight at the following OTA Annual Meeting
- Committee appointment for fellows upon completion
Fellowship Applicant Specifics:
- Three fellows per traveling fellowship group with one alternate chosen
- Must have completed OTA accredited fellowship
- Must be a candidate or active member of the OTA
- Less than 10 years in practice at the time of travel
- Fellowship will travel every other year (in even years)
- Applicants must complete a fellowship application (see below)
- Fellows will be appointed to an OTA committee position after the fellowship, specifically on the health policy, research, EBQVS, or education committee
- Fellows will present a report from the podium on their traveling fellowship experience at the OTA annual meeting immediately following their travel experience
- The successful applicant must have personal medical insurance coverage and a valid passport for this tour
Fellow Selection Process:
- A rotating committee appointed in part by the OTA Board will determine the chosen fellowship group and mentors.
- Committee will evaluate fellows via application (including essays and letters of recommendation), and in-person interviews at the OTA Annual Meeting.
- Fellows will be notified in the fall after the OTA Annual Meeting prior to travel the following spring (April-May).
Fellowship Travel Specifics:
- Fellows will be mentored by a seasoned orthopaedic trauma surgeon, a highly visible, active member of the OTA. The senior mentor will have pre-travel conference calls and weekly summative conference calls with the group during the time of travel, as well as a post-travel meeting at the annual OTA meeting.
- Fellows will travel to 8-12 orthopedic trauma centers in the Midwest over a four-week period. Three internal weekends will be included; fellows are not expected to be available for the first and last weekend before and after the tour.
- Travel, accommodations, food, and planned activities will be paid for on behalf of the fellows through the Roy Sanders OTA Traveling Fellowship Fund.
- As members of this Fellowship group and the OTA family, Fellows will be expected to contribute philanthropically to the OTA in support of future traveling fellowship groups.
- Host sites will provide specific leadership experiences for traveling fellows that will be planned in advance. Host sites will have an appointed trauma faculty as fellowship coordinator for that site. Examples of experiences could include:
- Discussion of building a trauma program with a department chair
- Discussion of hiring/building a trauma division with a division chief
- Discussion of creating a trauma system with a chair or trauma chief of general surgery
- Discussion of financial side of trauma systems with CFO or business manager
- Focus for knowledge distribution: bringing in local trauma people for discussion, complex cases about certain fracture types, etc.
- Operating room or clinical observation opportunities
- Traveling fellows may be given an opportunity for presentations (didactic or case presentations)
- Quality improvement programs unique to the institution
- Research programs unique to the institution
Online Fellow Application Process:
- Applicants will submit the application form, curriculum vitae, and essays via the online system
- Three letters of recommendation should be submitted or emailed to Julia Markos
- First letter: Program chair/employer in support of candidate and time commitment
- Second letter: Orthopaedic trauma fellowship program director
- Third letter: Character letter from an orthopaedic trauma surgeon who has not been a supervisor/mentor/direct educator to applicant
Please reach out to Julia Markos at markos@ota.org with any questions. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
