Overview
The ACGME- and POSNA-accredited Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics provides subspecialty training in all areas of pediatric orthopaedic surgery with one of the top pediatric orthopaedic teams in the country. It combines extensive clinical training and research, preparing surgeons for a career in both private practice and academic settings.
The fellowship offers extensive exposure to trauma, scoliosis, clubfoot, hip diseases, limb deformities, tumors, hand and upper-extremity conditions, sports orthopaedics, metabolic and genetic conditions, neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, degenerative diseases, congenital conditions, and other conditions that affect the spine, hip, foot and ankle, and hand.
Clinical responsibilities
The fellow spends approximately one-half day per week seeing patients at Campbell Clinic with one of the staff physicians. The fellow will work-up new patients, obtaining complete history and physical examination data, ordering appropriate imaging, and discussing management with the attending staff physician. He or she will perform all procedures as directed, complete preoperative history, physical examination, and ensure that appropriate preoperative x-rays are available.
Hospital duties
Hospital duties include daily rounds for all inpatients and making postoperative checks before discharge. The fellow sees all consults on inpatients and evaluates condition, collects laboratory data, and orders appropriate imaging and relevant consults. The fellow discusses the patient with the attending staff physician and serves as first assistant to staff and primary surgeon and oversees postoperative orders and dictates operative notes.
Technology
Technology that fellows may use include the O-arm® Surgical Imaging System, EOS imaging system, StealthStation surgical navigation, The Flash™ Navigation System, and Magnetic Expansion Control, a unique alternative to traditional growing rods. Of note, Dr. Jeffrey Sawyer is one of the few U.S. surgeons who offers the MAGEC treatment option. Our pediatric orthopaedic program is a POSNA-certified Safe Surgery Program, a member-driven process that measures quality performance and encourages improvement.
Education
Teaching opportunities include mandatory weekly conferences and core curriculum conferences as duties allow. Journal clubs are also mandatory as assigned and strongly encouraged otherwise. The fellow supervises residents, assists residents in surgery when requested and available, and attends a weekly case conference with the pediatric orthopaedic team.
Weekly Subspecialty Conference Attendance
The Orthopaedic Pediatric Conference is held every Wednesday at 6:30 am at Le Bonheur. It includes attending surgeons, fellows, and all residents on the Pediatric service.
Research & resources
Time and facilities are available for clinical and basic science research projects. Research coordinators, editorial and library support, and statistical services are available through the Children’s Foundation Research Institute’s Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics team and Campbell Clinic Foundation. Fellows may collaborate with basic science PhDs and have access to industry-supported cadaver labs and courses, in addition to a simulation center within the UTHSC College of Medicine.
Faculty
Derek M. Kelly, MD
Professor, Director of Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship
Jeffrey R. Sawyer, MD
Professor
David D. Spence, MD
Associate Professor
Benjamin W. Sheffer, MD
Associate Professor
Stephanie N. Chen, MD
Instructor
Keith J. Orland, MD
Instructor
Locations
- Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
- Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics
- Campbell Clinic Surgery Centers
Key Dates
Association conferences and meetings.
How to apply
This orthopaedic surgery fellowship is administered by SF Match Residency and Fellowship Services. Instructions and deadlines can be found at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America.
Interview Dates
Sunday, November 15 – Monday, November 16, 2026
Sunday, January 10 – Monday, January 11, 2027
Sunday, January 31 – Monday, February 1, 2027
Application details on the UTHSC site
Achievements
Dr. David Spence, an Investigator in the FACTS Study Group (Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery) was awarded the “Best Clinical Science Research Award” at the POSNA meeting in National Harbor, Maryland on May 8-11, 2024. His presentation was “Outcomes Following Operative vs. Nonoperative Treatment of Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescent Baseball Players and Other Overhead Athletes.”
In 2024, our pediatric providers had 25 manuscripts accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.