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CAST Complex Spine and Sports Neurosurgery Fellowship

The UPMC CAST Complex Spine and Sports Fellowship provides advanced training in scoliosis and spinal deformity surgery, complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, as well as neurosurgery sport medicine care of athletes.
 
Fellows receive a comprehensive education in the management of scoliosis, spinal deformity, spinal trauma, spinal oncology and the full range of degenerative spinal disorders. Advanced training in minimally invasive techniques and robotics is central to the fellowship. Special emphasis is placed on clinical evaluation, management, and surgical correction of scoliosis and spinal deformities across the age spectrum.

Fellows receive additional training in management of the injured athlete and exposure to medical and athletic training staffs of Pittsburgh professional sports franchises. Fellows will garner specialized expertise in management of spine injuries, concussions, stingers, peripheral nerve injuries and the multi-disciplinary management of the injured athlete through return to play.

A one-of-a-kind training program, the fellowship is a transition-to-practice format to launch a career in academic neurosurgery and preparation for specialty focus in complex spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and neurosurgery sports medicine.

Academic Spine and Sports Neurosurgery

The fellowship is accredited by CAST. The fellow is funded for spine society and sports medicine meetings where research findings have been accepted for oral presentation. Fellows will be encouraged and supported to engage on a national level with the academic spine and sports medicine communities via annual conferences and educational experiences.

Research Experience

A dedicated team of full-time research scientists and coordinators assist Fellows in conceiving, developing, and conducting research studies. Fellows have full access to our internal prospective spine registry and can collaborate on research through the International Spine Study Group as well as databases for sports injuries, including concussions and spinal injuries.

Application Requirements

Fellows are appointed as clinical instructors and hold attending privileges in the UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery. All fellows within Neurological Surgery must be eligible for work in the United States, permanent Pennsylvania medical license, and DEA license. Interested applicants should apply by sending a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and two reference letters.

Contact Information

The UPMC Complex Spine and Sports Fellowship is accredited by CAST. Applications should be directed to David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD (OkonkwoDO@upmc.edu).

Institution

UPMC Mercy, UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside

Fellowship Director

David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD

Faculty

Length

1 Year

Dates

July 1 through June 30

Accreditation

Committee on Accreditation of Subspecialty Training (CAST)

Past Fellows