Your one-year fellowship provides comprehensive exposure to the clinical and research-related aspects of total joint reconstruction in adults and children. As part of our program, you can expect to learn all aspects of diagnosis and treatment for problematic joints damaged by disease, injury or previous arthroplasty — including the challenges of complex and revision arthroplasty, and clinical research of progressive surgical techniques and outcomes.
At Vanderbilt, we use an apprenticeship model, which gives you progressive autonomy throughout your fellowship. It’s our goal for you to become an excellent surgeon, adept in pre-operative medical management and planning and post-operative rehabilitation.
Why Vanderbilt?
- Approximately 1,400 joint replacements annually
- Approximately 500 operative cases per fellow
- High-volume primary and revision experience
- Progressive operative autonomy
- Instructor appointment
- Strong research opportunities
- National meeting attendance
- Collaborative research with engineering and AI investigators
- Located in Nashville, Tennessee
Program Overview
Positions: 2 fellows
Duration: 1 year, August 1st through July 31st
Stipend: PGY6 level
Call: Taken a week at a time for adult reconstruction only (PJI cases, periprosthetic fractures, no general ortho trauma call)
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Our faculty treats adults and children who need total joint reconstruction and is highly experienced in joint replacement and revision surgery, especially complex hip and knee cases.
As part of our fellowship program, you’ll work closely with faculty and staff at the Vanderbilt Department of Orthopaedic Surgery to:
- Assist with coordinating our Resident Adult Reconstruction Conference
- Complete at least one research project
- Keep track of case logs
- Participate in weekly pre- and post-op conferences
- See patients in clinic
- Serve as surgical team member at least three days a week
- Take call with faculty back-up, one week at a time
Clinical Program
Spending time in our outpatient clinical setting, you’ll gain well-rounded experience which includes learning about the extensive planning and medical management patients need before surgery and experiencing the postoperative phase of care, when patients require a focus on rehabilitation.
Your case load will be split between hip and knee cases. The make-up of clinical cases is as follows:
- 60%: Primary total hip and total knee replacements
- 40%: Complex primary and revision surgeries
Surgical Experience
Fellows receive outstanding training in the principles of hip and knee arthroplasty while also gaining exposure to evolving technologies as they become incorporated into clinical practice.
By working as part of a larger surgical team, each fellow will experience approximately 500 cases, many of which will be complex. You can expect to gain knowledge of perioperative care management and decision-making through your participation in these cases. These cases will highlight a variety of surgical approaches and implant types, including anterior and posterior approach to the hip, mechanical and kinematic alignment total knees, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, and hip resurfacing arthroplasty.
Research Program
Opportunities available to fellows, include:
- Clinical research
- Biomechanics
- Engineering collaborations
- Artificial intelligence and imaging research
- Opportunities to present at national meetings (AAHKS, AAOS, etc.)
- Publication opportunities
- Faculty mentorship for fellows interested in academic careers
As a fellow, you will work in many settings: the outpatient clinic, the operating room, and labs. We encourage you to actively dive into research topics that interest you and to use all the resources available. Each fellow is required to complete a single research project during the fellowship year.
Instructor Status
As a junior faculty member in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, you will have the ability to independently board and perform cases as your year and skill progresses. Depending on your level of educational interest, opportunities to work with residents and medical students will also be available.
Conferences and Weekly Schedule
Weekly Conferences
- Wednesday (6:30–7:00 AM): Preoperative Indications Conference Discussion of upcoming primary and revision arthroplasty cases, including Imaging review, surgical indications, implant selection, and operative planning.
- Thursday (6:15–7:00 AM): Postoperative Case & Radiograph Review Review of recent surgical cases with postoperative radiographs, technical pearls, outcomes, complications, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Recurring Educational Activities
- Journal Club (Every Two Months)
Faculty- and fellow-led discussion of landmark and contemporary arthroplasty literature with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and critical appraisal of the literature.
Fellows are actively involved in case discussions, teaching, and presentation of current literature, fostering progressive independence and preparation for both academic and private practice careers.
Application Process
Applications are only accepted through the SF Match.
2026-2027 Interviews: TBD
Please contact our GME Program Administrator, Marla Johnson, for more information at Ortho-Fellowships@vumc.org. In your subject line, please list which fellowship you are inquiring about.
Fellowship Perks
- Attend one conference (AAHKS)
- Instructor status
- work area with computer.
- Readily available orthopedic anatomy cadaver lab on medical campus
- Two weeks of vacation
PROGRAM FELLOWS
Current Fellows:
Michael Esantsi, MD
Medical School: Tulane School of Medicine
Residency: Tufts Orthopaedic Residency
Open Position
Medical School:
Residency:
Past Fellows:
2025-2026 Zachary Wuthrich, MD, Vanderbilt Orthopaedics, Lebanon, TN
2025-2026 Nathaniel Williams, MD, WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, PA
2024-2025 Taurean Baynard, MD, Honor Health, Tempe, AZ
2024-2025 Allen Jack Barnes, MD, Lexington Health, Lexington, SC
2023-2024 Courtney Baker, MD, Vanderbilt Orthopaedics, Nashville, TN
2023-2024 Bryce Biberstein, MD, Fort Wayne Orthopedics, Fort Wayne, Indiana
2022-2023 Elizabeth Klag, MD, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2022-2023 Thomas Steck, MD, Permanente Medical Group, Woodland Hills, CA
2021-2022 Charles Crellin, MD, Ortho Montana, Billings, Montana
2021-2022 Sanar Yokhana, MD, Ascension St. John, Detroit, Michigan
2020-2021 Gerald Aggrey, MD, Hope Orthopedics, Salem, Oregon
2019-2020 Michael Gabbard, MD, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana
2018-2019 Jonathan Lynch, MD, Ortho Northeast, Fort Wayne, Indiana
