UC Davis Spine Fellowship
About the Fellowship
UC Davis Spine Fellowship is accredited by the Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training (CAST). This fellowship will provide an advanced expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of spinal disorders. Fellows will be exposed to both traditional and leading-edge technology to treat patients with spinal disorders including endoscopic spine surgery, robotic spine surgery, artificial disc surgery and complex reconstructive surgery. Typically, the fellowship lasts one year. It follows completion of a neurosurgery residency or, in some cases, an orthopedic spine surgery residency. UC Davis Spine Center was established in 2006 to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary non-surgical and surgical care to the patients with spinal disorders. UC Davis Medical Center is California's only level 1 Trauma Center north of San Francisco, one of only three in the state with level I verification for both adult and pediatric trauma.
We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year (application deadline is April 15, 2025). Please see the How To Apply tab for more information.
The goal of this CAST-accredited spine fellowship is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of complex spinal conditions, including both degenerative and traumatic diseases, as well as congenital and neoplastic disorders. The fellowship emphasizes the integration of neurosurgical techniques with spinal care, enhancing the fellow’s ability to manage intricate cases and collaborate with other specialists.
Surgical Experience
Fellows are trained in all aspects of spine procedures with the emphasis on hands-on experience. Fellow are exposed to variety of surgical techniquues including minimally invasive techniques including endoscopic spine surgeries, robotic spine surgeries, complex reconstructive surgeries, and advanced spinal instrumentation. Our faculty emphasize incorporating innovation into their surgical practice. Fellows will be exposed to augmented reality and robotic driven spine surgery.
Clinical Care
Fellows participate in clinical care in outpatient clinics at multidisciplinary UC Davis Spine Center and operating rooms. This includes performing and assisting in spine surgeries and managing post-operative care. Fellows learn to assess and manage neurological deficits and complications related to spine conditions.
Research and Education
Fellows engage in research projects, contributing to the advancement of spine knowledge. This may involve clinical trials, outcomes studies, or basic science research. In addition, they participate in regularly scheduled educational conferences for fellows and residents.
To learn more about UC Davis Health and the Sacramento region, please click on the Resources tab.
Please send the following application documents in one pdf file to Staci Leitner at sleitner@ucdavis.edu and Kee Kim, M.D. at kdkim@ucdavis.edu.
Cover letter
Current Curriculum Vitae
Two letters of recommendation
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Spine Fellowship, you must have completed residency training in neurosurgery or orthopedics.
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