Orthopaedic Surgery

PM&R Spine Medicine Fellowship

Overview

The PM&R Spine Medicine Fellowship is designed to train physicians with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to spinal disorders and their management. 

Each fellow completing the Spine Medicine Fellowship will have worked alongside a multidisciplinary team that includes Physiatrists, Anesthesiologists, Psychiatrists, Orthopedic Spine Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, Physical Therapists, and Psychologists in obtaining expertise in Spine Medicine. This will include the prescription of physical therapy/modalities, use of opioid and adjuvant medications (when indicated), and bracing. Fellows will gain extensive experience and proficiency in performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography to enhance their diagnostic skills. In addition to general musculoskeletal and spine disorders, there will be exposure to cervicogenic headaches, thoracic outlet syndrome, cancer pain, vertebral compression fractures, and scoliosis. 

Each fellow will have substantial training in interventional spine procedures at all spinal levels. On average, each fellow will have over 1,500 combined axial and appendicular fluoroscopically guided procedures. In addition, the fellow will be trained to manage the fluoroscopy machine with and without the x-ray technician. 

The fellow will gain extensive experience in performing and managing multiple advanced, minimally invasive spine and peripheral procedures. These includes Spinal cord stimulation (percutaneous trials and implants), Peripheral nerve stimulation (temporary and permanent), Basivertebral nerve (BVN) ablation, Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD), Interspinous spacer implants, Intrathecal pump drug delivery and replacement and more as newer pain-treatment technologies arise. 

The spine fellow will be appointed as a UCLA Clinical Instructor and as such, will directly assist in the education and training of UCLA PM&R residents and medical students from the David Geffen School of Medicine.

Educational Program

Monthly Journal Club/Quality Assurance Conference: Held after clinic every 2nd Wednesday of the month, this is attended by the UCLA attendings, fellows and residents. Interesting or complicated cases are reviewed and foundational papers in Spine Medicine are discussed. 

Local courses and lectures: The spine fellows are encouraged to attend national conferences and cadaver labs throughout the year.  Cadaver lab opportunities in the first few months of the year are recommended to gain early hands-on learning in advanced spine procedures (SCS, PNS, Interspinous spacers, Mild, BVN ablation, etc). As part of research, peer networking, and job opportunities, fellows are also encouraged to join and participate in local and national spine organizations.

Research: Each spine fellow will be required to complete at least one research project of their choice. The attendings will oversee these projects and will assist with completion and submission.  Poster submissions of their research projects at national conferences, including NANS and AAPM&R, are expected.

Career Opportunities: To date, every fellow of the UCLA Spine Fellowship has successfully found employment immediately upon graduation. Our program is specifically tailored to prepare fellows for careers in academic medicine or private practice.  Many of our former graduates are now Fellowship Program Directors and Clinical Professors nationwide, including academic institutions such as UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, University of Southern California, University of Texas, University of Louisville and University of Washington.  Our fast-paced outpatient clinics, high-volume pain procedures in a nationally renowned academic hospital will sufficiently prepare you for any career path in PM&R Interventional Pain medicine you desire.

Faculty:

Training Institutions

UCLA Santa Monica Spine Center:  The majority of the fellowship clinic time will be at the UCLA Santa Monica Spine Center. Most injection procedures will be performed at the local UCLA Ambulatory Surgery Center off of Arizona St, one block away from the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. Advanced procedures are performed at the UCLA Santa Monica Outpatient Surgical Center. 

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center:  When rotating with Dr. Droessler, the fellow will have clinic at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center and will complete procedures at the Ronald Reagan Outpatient Surgical Center. 

UCLA Health Community Clinics (Encino / South Bay): When rotating with Dr. Droessler, the fellow will also have clinic in Encino once per week and will complete procedures at the local Specialty Surgical Center of Encino. When rotating with Dr. Yang, the fellow will have clinic in South Bay and will perform procedures at the local UCLA South Bay Ambulatory Surgery Center.  Having the opportunities to work in a community clinic setting will enhance our fellow’s training and offer a well-rounded educational experience by working with different patient populations from diverse backgrounds.  Furthermore, it will give our fellows a “private practice” model experience for those interested in this type practice upon graduation.

**Of note, the drive from Westwood/Santa Monica area to Encino is approximately 10-minute drive and to South Bay is approximately 20-40 minutes.

Goals and objectives of the Spine Medicine Fellow are:
1. To gain the fundamental knowledge base required for the practice of comprehensive Spine Medicine.
2. To acquire the skills of patient assessment necessary for the provision of optimal treatment plans.
3. To gain sufficient skill and judgment on the appropriate use and application of various spine management interventions considered standard-of-care.
4. To gain an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of spine management, and to be able to coordinate and function in a collaborative fashion with other healthcare professionals.
5. To gain competency in the management of medications, modalities, therapies, and psychological support relating to spinal disorders.
6. To complete and submit one research project in the area of Spine Medicine. 

Salary, Vacation and Meetings: For detailed information regarding benefits, please contact us via e-mail below.

How to Apply

Application & all required documents should be sent to [email protected].

Application Form:

Required documents include:

  • CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Letters of Recommendation (3) – one must be from Program Director
  • USMLE / NBOME score reports (Steps 1, 2, & 3)

Optional documents include:

  • SAE Score 
  • Photograph

Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Interview Dates: Interviews are generally held between June and July

Training Dates: One full year from August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027

Contact Information: [email protected]