Program Overview
Program Training Director: Jonathan Isaacs, M.D.
Associated faculty: Jessica Frankenhoff, M.D, Ilvy Cotterell, M.D., Jennifer Vanderbeck, M.D., Glenn Lee, M.D., Geetanjali Bendale, Ph.D., Ramon DeJesus, M.D.
Fellowship Dates: August 1 through July 31
Accreditation: ACGME
Number of fellows: One
The Virginia Commonwealth University Orthoaedic Hand Surgery fellowship is under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Isaacs, but fellows will spend time with several hand and upper extremity surgeons along with collaborating Plastic Surgery faculty.
The VCU Hand Fellowship experience includes an opportunity to participate in a variety of surgeries ranging from routine hand and wrist surgery to complex trauma and extremity reconstruction. Microsurgical exposure will include training in the microsurgery lab, free tissue transfers, replants/revascularization procedures and nerve surgery.
The fellow participates as part of the orthopaedic hand surgery team and is expected to participate in resident education. The fellow will have ample clinical exposure as well.
The fellow will be involved in at least one research project and is expected to complete at least one additional academic endeavor (review article, case report, chapter, etc.). Though we endorse an active learning environment, regular didactic lessons will be an integral part of the fellowship as well.
It is our mission to improve musculoskeletal health of the people in Virginia and surrounding regions by:
- Providing outstanding, careful and compassionate direct patient care
- Leading in Innovative treatment of orthopaedic conditions
- Passing on a legacy by providing an outstanding education and research environment for our trainees
- Engaging in regional and national orthopaedic society leadership to improve musculoskeletal care
- Create an environment conducive to active learning
- Fellows independently evaluate patient, generate differential diagnoses and treatment plans.
- Expose the fellows to a variety of upper extremity disorders.
- Offer a graduated role in performing surgical procedures.
- Teach critical thinking and analytical evidenced based clinical decision making
- Weekly didactic topic focused round table discussion and critical analysis of proposed pathophysiology, assessment tools and treatment strategies.
- Bimonthly journal clubs emphasize critical analysis of high-profile publications in specialty specific journals.
- Fellows produce a review article or chapter requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of the medical literature.
- Fellows participate in the design, execution, and interpretation of a basic science research project.
- Equip our fellow with the specialized surgical skills necessary for a successful practice in hand surgery through;
- Cadaveric dissection and skills lab, every 10 weeks.
- Microsurgical instruction, every 10 weeks.
- Expose to several different upper extremity surgeons with varying backgrounds.
- Instill a sense of professionalism and social responsibility to our graduates
- Fellows work in a mentor-mentee relationship with the hand attendings.
- Weekly informal meetings focus on non-academic topics.
Open to trainees completing residency training in plastic surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Our fellowship academic year is from August 1 to July 31. Applicants must apply through the ASSH Applicant platform, ASSH.org by completing an online fellowship application form and providing the following documentation.
- Fellowship Application Form
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Good Standing
- Medical School Diploma
- Medical School Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation:
- Letters must be on official letterhead and may not be older than six months
- USMLE/COMLEX (or equivalent) transcript - all three steps; passed within three attempts – NCMB requirement
Copies submitted to the ASSH Applicant platform are accepted. Please note: Original or notarized documents will only be required if you match with our program.
Applicants must be Board eligible and able to obtain medical licensure in the state of Virginia. No applications will be accepted by email or mail.
Fellowship match is filled by National Resident Matching Programs (NRMP).
Benefits: Housestaff benefits and salary can be found on the VCU GME Website.
The VCU Orthopaedic Surgery department allows $2,000 towards one conference or course. Fellows with accepted podium presentations will be considered for additional financial support.
VCU GME Educational Fund: Fellows are given a $600 educational stipend to use during their fellowship year towards courses, medical textbooks, medical journal subscriptions, person medical equipment, etc.
Contact Us
Chandra Crump, Fellowship Coordinator
Phone: (804) 628-2676
Fax: (804) 828-4762
Email: chandra.crump@vcuhealth.org