AO Spine Fellowship Program for Surgeons 2022

The purpose of an AOSESA fellowship is to provide additional experience for trained orthopedic and neurosurgeons interested in spinal surgery. It is the responsibility of the host Spine Center to ensure that the fellow becomes conversant in the principles, indications, planning, techniques and complications of spinal surgery and develops the hands-on surgical skills for general spinal practice. Fellows are expected to enthusiastically immerse themselves in all aspects of the program offered by the host center.

About AO Spine

AO Spine is the leading global academic community for innovative education and research in spine care, inspiring lifelong learning and improving patients' lives.

AO Spine Fellowship Program

Aim and Benefits of AO Spine Fellowship Program

• An AOSESA stipend will be transferred to the bank account of the fellow on a monthly basis at the beginning of each month. If a regular bank transfer is not possible, additional fees (e.g. for a Western Union transfer) will be deducted from the fellow’s stipend. The stipend is calculated based on the current World Bank Purchasing Power Parity in order to cover the costs for food and accommodation in the host country. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the fellow.
• To receive the monthly stipend, the fellow must send financial documents certifying how the grant has been spent, and educational feedback showing the progress of the fellowship (her/his activities) and the mentoring process. Incomplete or unsatisfactory documentation may be a cause for termination of the grant.
• If family or hotel housing is required, arrangements must be made privately by the fellow himself (AO Spine will not provide any support in arranging accommodation). This can be expensive, and AOSESA cannot cover such additional expenses

Requirements for AO Spine Fellowship Program Qualification

Successful candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of AO Spine
• Be a spine physician (or in-training, but at least in the 4th year as resident in the specialty), or specialized in orthopedics, neurosurgery, or trauma surgery with a strong interest in spine surgery.
• Speak and understand English, or the local language where the AO Spine Center is located.
• Submit a complete online application form and required documents in time (1–31 May)
• Have previously participated in at least 5 hours of AO Spine education (including hands-on courses, seminars, local seminars, Global Spine Congress, webinars)
• Have not participated in any other AO fellowship within the past three years (from the date when the application is handed in)

Interview date, Process and Venue for AO Spine Fellowship Program

AO Spine offers short-term fellowships that range in duration from 2 weeks up to 8 weeks. In case the fellow would like to do a 12-week fellowship, the additional 4 weeks must be self-financed by the fellow and approved individually by the Spine Center.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit AO Spine website.