Orthopedic Fellowships
Two Fellowship Programs: Orthopedic Trauma and Joint Reconstruction
High volume orthopedic trauma practice
Diverse patient base at a public city hospital with a wide referral area
Experience working with several leaders in orthopedic trauma surgery
Opportunity for clinical and basic science research projects OTA-accredited
Opportunities to work 1:1 with orthopedic doctors
OTA-accredited
The Department of Orthopedics offers two distinct orthopedic fellowships per year that deliver advanced clinical training to a diverse patient population.
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Fellowship
One-year fellowship program with a focus on acute management of orthopedic trauma patients
Since its foundation in 1983 by Dr. Ramon Gustillo, the Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Fellowship delivers advanced clinical training in a diverse, multi-cultural patient environment. The fellowship includes dedicated time with Drs. David Templeman and Andrew Schmidt, as well as time with another trauma faculty. We match one fellow per year.
Twin Cities Trauma & Arthroplasty Fellowship
One-year fellowship program with a shared focus on orthopedic trauma and joint reconstruction
The Twin Cities Arthroplasty and Trauma fellowship is ideal for the candidate to practice in trauma with additional skills in complex arthroplasty. We match one fellow per year.
About Our Curriculum
Diverse Experience with a Hands-On Clinical Focus
Through clinical experiences on our downtown campus, fellows gain experience working with complex and polytraumatized patients. To improve teaching skills and team leadership, fellows also work with rotating PGY3 and PGY5 residents from the University of Minnesota. Nearly all cases are done at Hennepin Healthcare, but our staff intermittently works at North Memorial Medical Center when needed for the complex pelvis and acetabular fractures.
Curriculum Details
- Scope of Practice
- All general orthopedic trauma
- No spine call
- No microvascular hand
- Call Schedules
- Call is taken in a senior pool of the two fellows and 2 chief residents, one night per week.
- Weekend call is for the entire weekend and is one weekend per month
- The fellows are expected to work on 4th of July weekend but generally do not work other holidays
- Vacation: all fellows are allowed 4 weeks of vacation
- Conference attendance
- OTA annual meeting
- Fellows courses: OTA and/or AO fellows course
- Hennepin Trauma Conference
- Possibility of attending the AAOS annual meeting
Conferences and Research Opportunities
Hennepin Healthcare offers numerous didactic opportunities. Fellows attend daily rounds, weekly journal clubs, and bimonthly Minneapolis-area collaboration meetings. Fellows are encouraged to attend the University of Minnesota Grand Rounds and to develop a project for presentation at a national or regional scientific meeting or for publication. Participation at the annual Hennepin Healthcare Orthopedic Trauma conference each fall is part of the experience.
Didactic Opportunities
Weekly Conferences
- Daily Rounds, 6:30 a.m.
- Monthly M&M conference
- Monday: Department fracture conference, 7 a.m.
- Tuesday: noon journal clubs with Dr. Templeman
Other Didactics
Twin Cities Trauma Collaboration Meeting
A monthly collaborative meeting between staff and residents from Regions Hospital and Hennepin Healthcare. Alternates between case presentations, research proposals, and journal clubs.
Regional/National Meeting Attendance:
- Orthopedic Trauma Association annual meeting
- OTA Fellows course, Boston MA
- AO Fellows course
- Hennepin Trauma Conference
- Industry-sponsored courses, as interested
About Our Faculty
A shared commitment to orthopedic trauma unites our faculty—and our fellows. Our experienced staff takes a hands-on approach to teaching.
Program leadership
Dr. David Templeman is a trauma specialist with a focal interest in the pelvis and acetabular surgery. He is a past president of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
Dr. Andrew Schmidt is chair of the department and splits his time between arthroplasty and trauma surgeries. He is a past president of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
Dr. Richard Kyle primarily focuses on complex and primary arthroplasty patients. He is a past president of both the AAOS and the OTA.
Dr. Thomas Varecka is an upper extremity surgery with experience in hand and microvascular surgery, rotational flaps, and all forms of fracture fixation.
Dr. Gudrun Mirick Mueller is a trauma specialist with an interest in periarticular injuries, complex femur fractures, infections, and nonunions.
Dr. Emily Wagstrom is a trauma specialist.
Fellows also work with:
- Dr. Jacqueline Geissler is a hand and upper extremity surgeon.
- Dr. Nancy Luger is a sports medicine specialist with experience in multi-ligamentous knee reconstruction.
- Dr. Jessica Downes is an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon.
Testimonials
“My HCMC training has been an educational experience that has prepared me for any medical situation that might present itself. In my interactions with peers, staff, and patients I have grown into a more understanding and compassionate physician and person. ”
What Sets Us Apart?
Diverse clinical experience.
Most time is spent at Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis suburbs, and North and South Dakota. Time is also spent at North Memorial Medical Center, for additional experience in the pelvis and acetabular surgery.
Collegial, academic environment.
Our faculty are practicing physicians with a commitment to education. Fellows work daily with specialists, residents, and colleagues across disciplines—a mix that encourages constant discussion, analysis, and a scholarly approach to patient problems.
Clinical research opportunities.
Fellows in our one-year program actively pursue a clinical research project of their choice. Each fellow develops a project for presentation at a national or regional scientific meeting or for publication.
Advanced technology.
Fellows work with the latest technology. Hennepin Healthcare operates a completely paperless environment, with Level 7 implementation of the Epic electronic medical records system.
Application Requirements
Applications Due November 1
Open to all orthopedic surgery graduates from ACGME-Accredited Residencies
Requirements
Hennepin Healthcare participates in the SF Match process for selecting fellows. Please complete your application through them directly.
Process
- Submission: Submit your application through the San Francisco Match (SF Match). We do not accept applications through the mail.
- Interviews: Selected applicants will be invited for interviews at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association meeting. In-person interviews at Hennepin Healthcare are also available.
About Our Facility
The Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Fellowships are based within the Hennepin Healthcare downtown campus, which spans five city blocks in Minneapolis and houses in-patient and ambulatory services, our Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, the region’s highest volume Emergency Department, and numerous specialty clinics—all within a single facility.
Contact
Elizabeth Rosenstein
Fellowship Coordinator
612-873-4220
[email protected]
Hennepin Healthcare
701 Park Avenue, G2.140
Minneapolis MN 55415
