Top 5 Spine Fellowships

What is interesting is that many of the so-called top fellowships have not produced the spine leaders of TODAY. In last 12-15 years, how many of today's "leaders" trained at Jefferson, Emory, etc.? I cannot think of a single one, except perhaps Tim Kuklo at Wash U. Case Western has produced more of today's leaders in the last decade than all of these programs combined

John rhee (sp?) trained at wash u. but point well taken.

Bohlman has trained great fellows and leaders in many areas of spine, no doubt....

But his age and the difficulty of going to Case Western after he leaves/retires makes it a tough prospect for the top fellowship candidates...not that the guys that are there are chopped liver...

It is a risk to a take a spot for two years' down the line and he possibly not being there when you get there...I personally preferred places that were built around more than one guy (Jeff, Rush, Emory, WashU, etc.).

Ironically, most of these places have someone trained at Case, so you can learn some of Bohlman's ways to do things vicariously.

I agree completely jumperknee, and that's why I did not seriously consider case western 2 years ago...it really is amazing how many academic leaders Bohlman's program has produced. It is really the "who's who" in spine.

As a current spine fellow at Case I have to say the experience is unbelievable. Having been here a month now (July 1 start) I can see why the "who's who" of spine came through this program.

The pathology is unbelievable and there is a perfect combination of freedom and guidance. Bohlman is an unbelievable teacher and is busier now in terms of volume than three or four years ago.

That being said I can understand the concern of being the first post-Bohlman fellow at Case. I can tell you that Bohlman has no intention of leaving (which will probably happen in the next 3 years) without having a big name replacement who he has trained.

Overall, I interviewed at all the big name places. Case was one of the only place to have a dedicated trauma rotation (which is an amazing experience), a VA experience where you are the attending, and of course the Bohlman experience. All this and it is one of the few true gentlemen's fellowships (others being Pitt and Jeff).

I would strongly recommend applying and making the decision for yourself. Seeing the list of names who have come through here is unbelievable (Eismont, Delamarter, Anderson, Zdeblik, Riew, Kang, Wang, Boden, Hillebrand just to name a few). Even after Bohlman the pathology will still be there and you can be rest assured that you will get phenomenal training.

What's the word about Rush?

Do the fellows get to operate or do they just "watch" the attending operate? I have heard second hand the latter is true.

I know degen is strong there, but how about cervical spine? Do you get enough cold trauma to know how to deal with trauma?

What is the opinion on Seatle? How is the elective experience? Is it too trauma heavy at the expense of elective cases? Besides Chapman, any other notable people there?