Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowships

Foot and Ankle Fellowships

Hip Surgery Fellowships

Hip and Knee Surgery Fellowships

Knee Surgery Fellowships

Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Fellowships

Spinal Surgery Fellowships

Upper Limb Surgery Fellowships

Comments from recent Fellows

Gurvinder Singh Kainth

South Tees Fellowship in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery,

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, August 2022 – August 2023.

Current post: Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester.

“During my "Post CCT Shoulder and Elbow" Fellowship at James Cook University Hospital, I gained expertise in advanced arthroscopic techniques and achieved proficiency in shoulder and elbow reconstruction surgeries. Collaborating with esteemed surgeons like Prof Rangan and Mr Holland, I enhanced my operative skills through diverse learning opportunities. Working in a regional major trauma centre exposed me to complex shoulder and elbow trauma cases, providing hands-on experience in managing severe injuries. Actively participating in multidisciplinary collaboration, I contributed to improved patient outcomes in both trauma and elective scenarios. Additionally, my involvement in research initiatives resulted in publications that advanced the academic and clinical landscape of shoulder and elbow orthopaedics.”

Rishi Rampersad

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, August 2021 - August 2023.

Current post: Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon, EWMSC, Trinidad and Tobago. 
  
"The Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship has indeed been quite a learning experience. Coming from a relatively small island in the Caribbean with a small population to this major centre has significantly broadened my exposure to a diverse array of Spinal pathology. Nottingham manages a large volume of patients; this allowed me to be exposed to and participate in a wide variety of surgical cases. Daily surgical MDTs facilitated the discussion of "on call" and theatre cases by team members, from this I have been able to develop a clear algorithm of how to assess, investigate and manage patients, whether simple or complex. The surgical team's primary training comprises of a good mix between Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery. This allowed for healthy discussion and a bit of varying perspective in cases where multiple management options are suitable for a particular problem. Likewise dedicated anaesthetist, spinal practitioners, physiotherapist and specialist nurses have reinforced for me the requirements for a successful Spinal Unit. It is my expectation to take my knowledge and surgical expertise to my local setting with the ultimate goal of improving Spinal Surgical care."

Choon Chiet Andrew Hong

Fortius Clinical Sports Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship, The Fortius Clinic, London, April 2022 to October 2022.

Current post: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital of Singapore, Singapore.

"This is an excellent fellowship! Clinically, I have assisted and performed more surgeries than I expected to do initially while learning useful skills with many smart tips and tricks in foot and ankle surgery. The exposure to perioperative management of high level elite athletes locally and internationally was outstanding as I was able to learn more about postoperative rehabilitation process in these elite athletes. My time was fully optimized even when my main supervisor was on leave as I was rotated to his colleagues seeing patients/performing surgeries. In this fellowship, I was also given the support and time to attend 2 cadaveric courses and 2 conferences where I gained new insights and knowledge. From a research perspective, I was supported by Prof James Calder to complete the BJJ Research Methods & Paper Review Course and was able to capitalize on the excellent resources with a strong focus in evidence based medicine practices in the Fortius Clinic to complete 7 research papers (4 published, 2 accepted pending revisions and 1 under review).

Personally, it has been an enriching experience to learn about the cultural differences, contrasting healthcare practices and patient expectations. I had the chance to network and create friendships with many Orthopaedic surgeons in the UK and internationally, especially from the Foot and Ankle community. From Prof James Calder and all the lovely people in Fortius Clinic, I have learnt ample soft skills and broadened my perspectives in treating a multitude of patients with differing requirements/expectations. It has definitely improved my decision making skills, especially when working with high performing elite athletes and challenging revision cases. This fellowship have enriched my experience and helped me to be a better Foot and Ankle Surgeon."

Dr Chaitanya Vyawahare

Bridgend Knee Fellowship, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, February - October 2021

Current post (January 2022): Consultant, Dept of Joint Replacement, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Institute, Pune, India

"Bridgend Knee Fellowship has benefited my skills in treating complex knee arthroplasty and arthroscopy cases. This Fellowship has provided me with a holistic approach, emphasizing thorough examination with precise techniques in order to conclude the correct diagnosis and thereby provide apt treatment. This really has been beneficial for me and all my patients. I am grateful to my mentor Mr Amit Chandratreya for supervising me to make me a better surgeon."

Ali Shetaiwi

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, August 2020 - August 2021

Current post (December 2021): Associate Spinal Consultant, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham

"This fellowship was a great opportunity to learn about high standards of spine care. The multidisciplinary meetings every morning allowed me to gain different perspectives with regard to surgical decision-making, in addition to the technical skills necessary for delivering high-quality care. Also, this fellowship has definitely enriched my knowledge in the specialty field of spine surgery, and I believe that the entire experience will have a positive impact on my career and hence deliver the best care to my patients. I strongly recommend this fellowship to all spine fellows who wish to learn and gain complex skills exposure in spine surgery."

Nigil Palliyil

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, August 2019 - April 2021

Current Post (December 2021): Associate Consultant Spinal Surgery at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham

"The Spinal fellowship programme at Nottingham was an excellent opportunity for me to work with a group of world-renowned spinal surgeons. The fellowship was well structured, and it provided an excellent blend of academics, research activities and surgical training. The fellowship was crucial in helping me transition from a surgical trainee to a well-rounded spinal surgeon. After having successfully completed the fellowship, I was fortunate enough to be promoted to the role of an Associate Consultant in the same department. The training and experience that I have gained from the fellowship would be invaluable in my future spinal surgical practice."

Farid Ud Din

Harrogate Hip Fellowship, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, August 2020 - August 2021

Current post (October 2021): Senior Sarcoma, Revision Hip & Pelvic Reconstruction Fellow, Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"This Fellowship in Harrogate was a great opportunity to improve my operative revision hip, hip arthroscopy and primary knee arthroplasty skills. Both trainers were excellent and supportive. I was able to do independent operative lists. This was my second Fellowship, so my focus was primarily on revision hips and hip arthroscopy, and I am glad that I was able to achieve that aim. This Fellowship does have trauma on calls and one trauma list per week and that helped in keeping my trauma skills alive and I was able to do Periprosthetic Fractures on that list. I had the opportunity to join my supervisor for robotic hip and knee cases. This Fellowship is certainly a smooth transition from Fellow to Consultant post."

Stefan Wever

Fortius Clinical Sports Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship, The Fortius Clinic, London, February - July 2021

Current post (October 2021): Foot and Ankle Fellow, Southmead Hospital, Bristol

"It has been an incredible experience to go from Cape Town, South Africa to another country - you learn as much about yourself as you learn from others. It broadens your perception of life in a healthy way that will never make sense financially, but in the same way, is priceless. The Fellowship with James Calder has taught me skills and patient focused treatment approaches which I will use for the rest of my life. I wrote a book chapter on a topic I previously knew nothing about, attended the BOFAS foot and ankle fellows’ course, did the BJJ Research Methods course and reviewed various articles for journals, under excellent guidance. I had the privilege of treating patients from all over the world and was able to apply my skills and training. Fellowships should be encouraged, not only to advance training but to build lifelong friendships."

Rakesh Dhake

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, February 2019 - February 2021

Current post (July 2021): Locum consultant spine surgeon, Exeter Spinal Unit, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

"This fellowship was a great opportunity to learn about high standards of spine care, and the differences in management strategies compared to my practice before the fellowship. The multidisciplinary inputs from both orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialists and the MDT meetings every morning, allowed me to gain different perspectives with regard to surgical decision-making in addition to the technical skills necessary for delivering high-quality care. I gained much knowledge during this prestigious learning opportunity and thank The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) and The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS) and all those from whom I received valuable experience and encouragement during my fellowship. This fellowship has definitely upgraded my knowledge in the specialty field of spine surgery and I believe that the entire experience will have a very positive impact on the rest of my career and hence deliver the best care to my patients. I strongly recommend this fellowship to all budding spine surgeons who wish to learn and gain high-quality exposure in spine surgery."

Akshay Gadiya

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, February 2019 - February 2021

Current post (June 2021): Consultant Spine Surgeon, Medicover Hospitals, Aurangabad, Maharashtra State, India

"The Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship was an incredible opportunity to develop my knowledge, experience, skills and confidence in a wide range of areas in spine surgery. I had a valuable experience working with globally renowned surgeons during my fellowship. It has equipped me with all the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to practice as an independent spinal surgeon, offering patients a variety of spinal surgical procedures. The exceptional quality of training I received during this Fellowship enabled me to become independent in all aspects of spinal surgical practice. I received well-structured operative training in a wide range of spinal surgeries, including revision surgeries, pediatric and adult deformity correction, complex cervical spine surgeries and navigated spinal fusions. Overall, this Fellowship has been instrumental in my entering independent practice in spine surgery and will facilitate my delivery of the highest standards of clinical care to my future patients."

Ahmad Tarawneh

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, January 2019 - February 2021

Current post (June 2021): Consultant Spine Surgeon (CSSS)

"My advanced spinal fellowship in the Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery was a unique opportunity to enrich my skills in dealing with a broad spectrum of spinal conditions. Clinically, it was a great opportunity to learn from and work with well-known spine surgeons sharing with us their experience, tips, and tricks in dealing with different spinal conditions. Academically, daily spinal meetings and weekly teaching seminars were platforms in which we discuss different spinal cases and topics in a systematic, evidence-based approach. During my fellowship period, I was the highest contributor to spine surgery research in CSSS. I published a number of high-quality papers in highly prestigious journals. For that, I was awarded a certificate of excellence in spine surgery research at the Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS) in 2020. After finishing the fellowship, I was appointed as a consultant spine surgeon in CSSS where I had the opportunity to deliver the highest quality of care possible to my own patients, equipped with what I have learnt during my fellowship."

Galateia Katzouraki

Nottingham Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship, The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery (CSSS), Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, November 2018 - February 2020

Current post (December 2020): Consultant Spinal Surgeon

"The fellowship is an excellent opportunity for all the orthopaedic and neurosurgical post-CCT trainees to obtain in-depth knowledge in all spinal pathologies and excellent exposure to different aspects of spinal surgery. During my fellowship, I learned the value of the multi-disciplinary approach for spinal patients. My main interest and experience were focused on complex spinal surgical procedures of paediatric deformity, adult deformity, complex cervical cases, and oncology cases. The fellowship not only shaped me as a spinal surgeon by enriching my surgical and decision-making skills, but also contributed significantly to forming my professional personality. The exceptional work environment and my mentors pushed me to pursue excellence in all aspects of patients' care. The research opportunities are numerous and the interaction with other national and international spinal centres, via meetings and attendance at congresses and courses, is precious. By completing the Advanced Spinal Surgery Fellowship in Nottingham, I have acquired all the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset for a young spinal consultant. My aim is to become a leading spinal surgeon who provides the best possible care to the spinal patients; enriches surgical skills with innovative techniques for complex spinal issues; and shares their experience and knowledge with junior colleagues."

Nivraj Singh Bhamber

Ashford and St Peter’s Sports Hip & Knee, Lower Limb Arthroplasty Senior Orthopaedic Fellowship, October 2019 – Feb 2020

Current Post (December 2020): Post-CCT Soft Tissue and Arthroplasty Knee Fellow, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

"My experience at this fellowship was an excellent stepping stone from ST8 training. It provided me with the appropriate amount of supervision to increase my skills and confidence in lower limb surgery. The merits of this fellowship are due to the three trainers, as they all bring complementary approaches to teaching and training. Time spent with Mr Paul Trikha is invaluable for experience in knee surgery. The acute knee injury clinic exposed me to an array of ligament and intra-articular injuries in large volumes, which made me very comfortable in diagnosing and treating acute knee injuries. I had ample opportunity to operate on the knee lists, learning techniques around ligament reconstruction and arthroscopy. He also teaches other skills, like theatre efficiency management and shared decision-making with patients, which has been extremely useful to take on board. Mr Dean Michael was excellent at improving confidence and independent operating. He was keen to hand over the operating ropes once we established basic theatre expectations in both arthroplasty and arthroscopy. Mr David Elliott was another excellent trainer who enthuses you with confidence in surgery and if you aren’t operating with him, you can always have the pleasure of discussing his experience in trauma surgery or his vast array of hobbies and interests! The opportunity to spend time with other consultants in the department is available, and everyone was very welcoming to have me on their lists. I had a very instructive and productive time on this fellowship and it set me up well for further fellowship training at Exeter and Reading."

Kareem Abdullah

Harrogate Hip Fellowship, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, August 2019 to August 2020 

Current post (September 2020): Senior Specialty Registrar in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust

"The fellowship was a fantastic opportunity to gain further experience in hip surgery, from complex primary hip replacement to revision and periprosthetic fractures. I had the opportunity to run independent theatre sessions for hip arthroplasty, which helped to increase experience and confidence and which definitely will help in a future consultant post. The fellowship also involved extensive training in the management of young adult hip problems, from diagnosis to operative treatment, with exposure to many hip arthroscopy surgeries. The post enabled me to participate in clinical audits and start a clinical trial for a new acetabular cup. I also took part in establishing a hip MDT meeting to discuss patients with complex hip problems."