Adult Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship

Fellowship Overview

Fellows participate in an educational program based at Massachusetts General Hospital and work with seven different surgeons both in the outpatient and inpatient setting. Fellows work very closely with different attending surgeons during operative treatment. Rotation structure is based on a mentorship model, allowing for conceptual and technical mastery over the course of 10 weeks. There are 5 fellowship positions per year.

HIghlights of the educational program include weekly faculty-guided lectures, case-based indications conference, local grand rounds, and research team discussions.. Fellows are given the opportunity to attend research conferences and fellow courses throughout the year. This is in addition to a host of local industry sponsored symposia and certification opportunities offered to MGH fellows.

AAHKS Fellowship Recognition

In June 2024, the Adult Reconstructive Fellowship at Mass General was given an inaugural recognition designation from the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons; only a handful of institutions received this recognition at its onsetThe recognition was based on case volume, revision volume, didactic schedule, research performed by the fellows, etc. The fellowship continues to maintain and build upon this recognition.

From the AAHKS, "By being among the first to achieve AAHKS Recognition, your program demonstrates its dedication to a common set of standards and shared goal of ensuring that adult reconstruction training programs are structured with solid foundation on education."

Requirements

Potential Fellows must be graduates of a US Residency Programs and be Board Eligible. Fellows must have outstanding recommendations and history of clinical and educational excellence.

This fellowship participates in the national matching program.

Curriculum

Fellows participate in our daily 6:45 AM conference series where there are presentations and didactic lectures from experts in basic science, anatomy, radiology and core concepts in arthroplasty. We also review pertinent clinical topics in our Journal Club. Multiple cadaver labs are hosted over the course of the year for fellow education. Case-based indications conference allows for department collaboration in reviewing and previewing complex arthroplasty cases on a weekly basis, with application of core knowledge and review of existing literature.

Clinical Experience

Fellows must complete twelve months of clinical work that includes surgical care in the hospital and ambulatory settings.. There are five 10-week rotations. Case experiences include on- and off-table direct anterior and posterolateral total hip arthroplasty, robotic total hip arthroplasty, manual and robotic primary total knee arthroplasty with multiple robotic systems, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (including medial, lateral, and patellofemoral) and a variety of complex primary, revision, and conversion arthroplasty. There is a broad exposure to primary and revision implants across major manufacturers. Fellows take primary arthroplasty call with attending surgeon backup for acute operative arthroplasty indications. Fellows may opt to participate in to paid level 2 trauma call.

Research Experience

Although there is emphasis on skills useful for today's challenges in reconstructive surgery, a critical component of the fellowship is development of future techniques and clinical practices. Fellows are given the opportunity to work on various clinical and/or biomechanical studies within the department, aided by research fellows, the Harris Lab, and the biomechanics lab. Fellows are required to complete 2 research projects by the end of their fellowship. Research activities are reviewed on a weekly basis and there is dedicated time during the fellowship to work on academic interests.

Career Planning

Mass General hosts the oldest national arthroplasty fellowship and continues to expand its alumni network. Fellows can attend the annual Mass General reunion dinner at AAHKS. Fellows will be able to participate in job interviews as needed. There are regular faculty discussions regarding job procurement, contracts and networking opportunities.

How to Apply

Please mail inquiries and letters of support to:

Christopher Melnic, MD
Director, Adult Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Mailcode YAW 3700
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114

Telephone: (617) 726-8575
Fax: (617) 724-0718

This fellowship participates in the national matching program.

Current Fellows

• 

  Steven Denyer, MD

  • Residency: Loyola University
  • Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
• 

  Zainab Ibrahim, MD

  • Residency: Brown University
  • Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• 

  Majd Marrache, MD

  • Residency: Johns Hopkins University
  • Medical School: American University of Beirut Medical Center
• 

  Tahsin Rahman, MD

  • Residency: Henry Ford Hospital
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
• 

  Maria Schwabe, MD, MPHS

  • Residency: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis