Unfilled Shoulder Elbow Positions 2008/9

[kunkeldisciple]

Anyone out there know of any unfilled Shoulder/Elbow fellowship spots for 2008/9?

[wnlevine]

There are 32 positions in the Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship Match and 28 were filled through the match this year. I know for certain that 1 of the 4 unmatched positions was filled immediately but do not know the status of the other 3 positions - for anyone interested please contact Susan Shannon at the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) - her email is shannon@aaos.org and her phone # is 847-698-1629.

wnl

[Gibby]

Dr Levine, does the fact that 4 spots went unmatched this year mean that it was less competitive this year? Fellows that I have spoken with in the past have said that usually there are about 50-60 applicants every year which seems to make it one of the more competitive fellowships.

[wnlevine]

Not at all - actually it was one of the most competitive year we've witnessed. In speaking with the directors of 3 of the 4 unmatched spots, in fact, they underestimated just how competitive it was and frankly didn't rank enough applicants. The sheer number of fellowship positions has more than doubled over the last few years and the number of incredibly talented applicants has followed suit. Since some of the fellowships offer sports medicine and shoulder and elbow, the number of hybrid applicants has also increased dramatically over the last 5 years.

wnl