Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowships - Hand Surgery Fellowship Program

• Duration and Scope
• Research Opportunities
• Contact Us

We are pleased to announce that the Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery Services at the University of Pittsburgh and the Hand & UpperEx Center (formerly the Western Pennsylvania Hand Center) have further enhanced the collaboration and cross-fertilization of their respective Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship Programs. The new format offers an unparalleled experience in both skeletal and soft tissue aspects of hand surgery, including microsurgery, conducted in both an academic setting and a private surgery center environment.

Trainees in both fellowship programs will attend joint conferences, didactic lectures, and Journal Clubs together. Exchange rotations would result in equally diverse experience in all aspects of hand and upper extremity conditions. Between the two fellowships, there are a total of seven positions for candidates completing their residency training in Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and/or General Surgery. Matched candidates will have the opportunity to be trained by 10 full time faculty members, perform surgical procedures in a newly established state-of-the-art freestanding surgery center, as well as complex upper extremity reconstruction and microsurgical procedures at the University Health Center of Pittsburgh. The faculty members include Joseph Imbriglia, MD, W.P. Andrew Lee, MD, Glenn Buterbaugh, MD, Robert Goitz, MD, William Hagberg, MD, Marshall Balk, MD, Robert Kaufmann, MD, Kodi Azari, MD, Aaron Grand, MD, and Ronit Wollstein, MD. All physicians have Certificates of Added Qualification in hand surgery or are eligible for the CAQ.

Over the 12-month fellowship-training period, experience and responsibility are gradually increased and by the end of the program each fellow is comfortable and competent in all areas of shoulder, elbow and hand surgery, and microsurgical techniques.

Duration and Scope

• The University of Pittsburgh Plastic Surgery Hand Program is a one-year, ACGME accredited hand surgery fellowship program.
• Prerequisite resident education must be completed in a general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, or plastic surgery program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

Research Opportunities

While at least one clinical research project leading to presentation and publication is expected during the fellowship year, significant basic and applied basic science research opportunities are available. For those interested, research experience can be obtained in a nationally known research laboratory.

Contact Us

For more information on the Hand Surgery Fellowship Program, contact:

Michelle A. Gigliotti, GME Academic Manager
Department of Plastic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
3550 Terrace St.
664 Scaife Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
T: 412-383-8082
F: 412-383-8986
gigliottim@upmc.edu

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