This program in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center is built on the philosophy of decreasing supervision with increasing responsibility. It provides comprehensive training in the surgical and conservative treatment of spinal disorders, covering pediatric spinal disorders, cervical spine, acute spinal injuries, degenerative disorders, adult deformities and tumors. The emphasis is on patient care, surgery, and research.

Fellows work with orthopedic residents and medical students, and have teaching responsibilities. Weekly indications conferences, weekly combined pediatric-adult spine deformity conferences, monthly neurosurgery-orthopedic surgery conferences, and monthly research meetings are organized. Journal clubs and anatomy laboratory teaching sessions are also organized.

Fellows are responsible for at least two clinical or basic science research projects and several lectures. Research facilities in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery include the biomechanics laboratory, lifting and gait laboratories, biomaterial and histopathology laboratories, biochemistry and molecular biology, and an animal surgery facility.

This fellowship is ACGME accredited for three fellows per year and participates in the match program.