The Hand Surgery Program is a collaborative effort by the Divisions of Plastic and Orthopaedic Surgery. This is a Canadian fellowship and therefore is NOT accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME is only responsible for the accreditation of post-MD medical training programs within the United States. Currently, this is not a paid fellowship. If you have a licence to practice medicine in the province of Ontario, then you would be able to generate income from billing as an Assistant.

Our practice is concentrated in the area of adult hand surgery and includes a broad spectrum of reconstructive problems, hand trauma, arthritis, surgery and peripheral nerve problems. We are also involved in a moderate amount of microsurgical activity and our hospital is the replantation center for Metropolitan Toronto. As such, fellows can gain excellent exposure or experience in microvascular techniques.

Educational Objectives

At the end of this fellowship, the Fellow will have fulfilled the following educational objectives:

Cognitive

• Demonstrate increased understanding of common and variant anatomy of the hand and upper extremity.
• Demonstrate increased competency in the diagnosis and treatment of common hand conditions and injuries.
• Gain experience in the emergency management of common hand injuries.
• Gain experience in the resuscitation and early management of traumatic hand injuries.
• Understand the principles and management of subspecialty hand surgery which may include replantation, brachial plexus injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, tendon injuries, fractures and reconstructive wrist surgery.

Attitudinal

• Gain experience in approaching and attending to the patient with an upper extremity injury or deformity.
• Gain experience in working with a group of other physicians, nurses and paramedical personnel.
• Learn the value of working in a cohesive, multidisciplinary team setting and appreciate the contributions of each group.

Technical

• Knowledge of surgical exposures in the hand and wrist.
• Knowledge of the use of internal fixation sets specific to care of injuries in the hand and wrist including the mini-fragment and modular hand sets, Herbert and accutrak screws.
• Knowledge of suturing techniques for flexor and extensor tendons
• Knowledge of basic functions of the operating microscope, skill in basic microsurgical procedures like digital nerve repair.

Job Description

Clinical

• Attend Hand Surgery Outpatient Clinics including that of the primary supervisor and the other members of the Hand Program.
• Assist in the preoperative assessment, surgery, and postoperative care of the supervisor’s and other consultants’ patients.
• Assist in the evaluation of consults referred to the supervisor and other consultants.
• Assist in the clinical teaching responsibility of the Division.
• Work with other housestaff members attending patients in the Emergency Department.
• It is clearly understood that none of the above responsibilities will in anyway interfere with the Residency Training Program but will complement the continuous teaching of residents. Fellows will often add an international outlook on teaching.

Research

• Complete a minimum of one clinical or basic science research project and prepare it for presentation and publication.

Application Requirements

Eligibility and application requirements can be found at: http://www.uoftplasticsurgery.ca/education/fellowships/fellowship-positions/hand-and-upper-extremity-surgery/

This is a 12-month fellowship-based program working alongside Dr. Veillette and Dr. Leroux at the Toronto Western Hospital in central Toronto. Fellows experience a full breadth of simple to complex arthroscopy, arthroplasty and trauma procedures. Fellows participate in clinics, ORs, teaching rounds, and research. This fellowship is closely affiliated with the University of Toronto Sports Medicine Fellowship and combined opportunities for teaching, case exposure and research are available.

Remuneration

$75,000 CAD – with potential for more with third party insurance lists.

Duration

12 months August-July

Commitments

4 – 5 days/week

Supervisors

• Dr. Christian Veillette
• Dr. Timothy Leroux
• Dr. Ryan Paul

Location

Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst St.
Toronto, Ontario

Due Date

Applications are due December 1st, 18 months preceeding the fellowship start date.

Contact

Please send your updated curriculum vitae, letter of intent, and three references to orthofellowships@uhn.ca.

Testimonials

“The aim of a fellowship is to obtain the skills, decision making and confidence to start a safe and intellectual practice as well as gain a close group of colleagues to offer assistance for complex cases when return to independent practice. This fellowship has built on the years of experience with training and prior jobs to improve my upper limb exposure, decision making and education. Exposure to significant glenoid deformity, capsular reconstruction, tendon transfers, elbow arthroscopy and arthroplasty are weekly occurrences here. The confidence and responsibility given to fellows is accelerated and aids in independent practice and autonomy with supervision.”

“I have had opportunities to complete research projects, present at international meetings, attend courses and visit local and international surgeons. The close working nature with the Sports Medicine fellowship has allowed additional teaching opportunities and connections.”

“Living in Toronto with my young family for this fellowship has been a great experience and decision.  I have gained close relationships with my supervisors/mates whom I have no qualms emails and asking for advice on cases, to discuss a new procedure or just catch up.  I have had more time with them than training or regular consulting and free most weekends for family and travel.  The lifestyle and people are welcoming, the city is vibrant, and a little expensive, and the Fellowship has been a great decision for my family and I.”