Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship

The Rothman Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Microsurgery Fellowship was founded by Dr. Asif Ilyas in 2012 with the aim of training graduates of U.S. Orthopaedic or Plastic Surgery Programs in the medical arts of surgery of the hand and related structures. The fellowship was designed to optimize training hours to promote surgical skills, foster interpersonal development, and develop clinical wisdom specifically through interaction with a distinguished faculty. Administrative tasks are designed to be limited.

The Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is a uniquely successful practice on a National scale, which was made possible by the merits of the faculty across all of the Orthopaedic Surgery specialties. Each of the Hand Surgery Faculty trace their roots back to Dr. Sterling Bunnell, but endeavor to bring the best of contemporary surgical concepts to the learners, which includes a mix of both complex reconstruction and practice management strategies. 

 

The ideal fellow candidate is one who has cultivated a self-starting mentality, has an openness to academic curiosity, and has a drive for personal excellence. Finally, we encourage graduates of the program to stay connected through alumni events.
Current Program Directors:
Jonas Matzon, MD
Rick Tosti MD

Past Program Director
Asif Ilyas, MD

 

 

Accreditation
ACGME - Hand Surgery

Number of Fellows
2 per year

Fellowship duration
1 year (August 1 – July 31)

Eligibility
Board Eligible in Orthopaedic Surgery

Match
National Residency Matching Program

Faculty
6 Hand, Wrist, & Microvascular Surgeons
4 Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons
2 Pediatric Hand Surgeon Fellowship

Design
Preceptorship Fellowship

Focus
Hand, Wrist, & Microvascular Surgery
Shoulder & Elbow Surgery
Pediatric Hand Surgery

Locations
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and affiliates
Shriners Hospital for Children

Resources
Microsurgery & Animal Lab
Anatomy Lab
Research Service
Overseas Mission Trip support

Requirement
Must complete an accredited Orthopaedic Surgery residency prior to start of fellowship.

Application Deadline
December 15

Interviews
February or March

Application Material
Online ASSH Hand Surgery Fellowship application
3 Letters of Recommendation (including 1 from Residency Director)
USMLE Scores (copy acceptable)

Application Submission
Online via:   https://www.assh.org/applications/s/fellowshiphome

 

The fellow will gain clinical and surgical experience in all aspects of the upper extremity, including:

Fracture care of the upper extremity: The fellows will learn surgical indications and perform closed as well as open surgical treatment for all fractures and dislocations of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder. Furthermore, fellows will participate in complex reconstructions of traumatic injuries to the upper extremity.

Nerve surgery: The fellows will learn surgical indications and perform open, mini-open, and endoscopic decompression techniques for peripheral compressive neuropathies. The fellows will also develop skills in nerve repair, grafting, and transfers.

Tendon surgery: The fellows will learn injection techniques and perform surgical releases of all tendinopathies of the upper extremity. The fellows will also develop skills in tendon repairs and transfers.

Joint injury and arthritis treatment: The fellows will learn the indications and perform arthroscopies of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Fellows will also perform fusions of the hand and wrist, and arthroplasties of the fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

Skin and wound management: The fellows will learn the indications and techniques for skin grafting and be exposed to flap techniques.

Pediatric Hand surgery: The fellows will be exposed to congenital hand conditions and assist in their diagnosis and surgical management.

Microsurgery: The fellows will learn the principles and develop skills in microvascular
surgery.
 

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute has a full-time research staff and facilities dedicated to Hand & Upper Extremity research. The Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Hand service manages multiple clinical, biomechanical, and bench research studies. On average, the service publishes 15 peer-reviewed articles and presents 25 national podiums and posters annually. 

Topics of active current study include:

- Upper Extremity Fractures
- Pain Management Strategies
- Wide Awake Hand Surgery
- The Role of Adjunct Imaging
- Compression Neuropathies
- Infections of the Hand
- Biomechanical Analysis of Fracture Implants
- Tendon Repair and Healing
- Resident & Fellow Education

The faculty presents regularly at meetings such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), American Association of Hand Surgery (AAHS), the Eastern Orthopaedic Association
(EOA), and the Pennyslvania Orthopaedic Society. Similarly, the fellows will be expected to participate in on-going research or initiate a new study of their interest. 

The fellows will also have access to seed money for independent study. Furthermore, the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Research Database will be available and is an invaluable resource for clinical studies. Monthly research meetings will be held with the faculty to review on-going studies and discuss future studies. Lastly, an emphasis on the research process, study design, and statistical analysis is prioritized. 

Pedro K. Beredjiklian, MD
Chief, Division of Hand Surgery Rothman Orthopaedics
Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

Asif Ilyas, MD, MBA
Hand, Upper Extremity, and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery
Emeritus Program Director of Hand Surgery Fellowship
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University
Associate Dean of Clinical Research at Drexel University College of Medicine

Christopher M. Jones, MD MS
Hand, Wrist, Elbow, and Microvascular Surgeon
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University

Jonas L. Matzon, MD
Hand, Wrist, Elbow, & Microvascular Surgery
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Program Director,  Hand Surgery Fellowship, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Research Director, Division of Hand Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Michael Rivlin MD
Hand, Wrist, Elbow, and Microvascular Surgeon
Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Jefferson Health New Jersey
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University

Rick Tosti, MD
Hand, Wrist, Elbow, and Microvascular Surgeon
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University
Associate Program Director, Hand Surgery Fellowship, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Scott H. Kozin, MD, CPE
Chief of Staff Emeritus, Shriners Children’s – Philadelphia
Physician Lead - Shriners Children's Medical Group
Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/our-care-providers/k/scott-h-kozin-md-37775

Dan Zlotolow, MD
Chief of Hand Surgery, Shriners Children’s – Philadelphia
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Sidney Kimmel
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/our-care-providers/z/dan-a-zlotolow-md-16225

As a fellow, you will have the year to explore one of the most historic yet exciting cities of the United States. Here is a Top 10: 1. The Food: Philadelphia consistently ranks in the top of the nation both for fine dining and for iconic eats such as the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. Our journal clubs will rotate around fine restaurants each month. 2. The Arts: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, and Barnes Museum hold some of the World’s most famous pieces. Our favorite is the Gross Clinic painted by Thomas Eakins inside of the Jefferson Medical College in 1875. 3. The Sports: Home of the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and Union, we have some of the most successful sports franchises – several of which are covered by Rothman Orthopaedics 4. The History: America was born in Philadelphia! The Independence Center, Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross houses are must see destinations while you are here. 5. The Medical Community: The Greater Philadelphia Area is host to seven orthopaedic surgery training programs. The Mutter Museum of Medical Oddities will fascinate any curious medical scientist. 6. The Location: Making an easy weekend get-away possible, we are located within hours of the Jersey Shore, Pocono mountains, New York City, and Washington DC. 7. Family Friendly: numerous activities for kids and families such as the Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute, and 45 min from Sesame Place Amusement Park. 8. The Airport: Philadelphia Airport is the World’s 9th busiest with direct flights available to many destinations. 9. Affordable Living: Philadelphia has high quality living areas, parking, and communities for a fraction of the cost of other cities of comparable size and scale. 10. Rothman Orthopaedics! We are consistently ranked nationally in Orthopaedic surgery with the most “top docs” as ranked by regional metrics. We sponsor several events throughout the city including the 8K at the Philadelphia Marathon (which is run by faculty, fellows, and residents yearly). Being a part of the Rothman Tradition at Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine is a lifelong privilege.

For more information, contact:

Kelly Quici
Resident, Fellowship and Medical Student Coordinator
kelly.quici@rothmanortho.com