Director's Message

The Orthopaedic Surgery Trauma Fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine is a one-year fellowship, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), that offers an exceptional experience for orthopaedic traumatologists in training. Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital is one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the country. Previous fellows have described the operative experience as “phenomenal,” “very high acuity,” and “busy with a full complement of acetabulum, pelvis, and nonunion.”

The program aims to graduate clinically excellent orthopaedic traumatologists capable of entering independent practice at a Level 1 trauma center. This goal is accomplished by virtue of a large clinical volume comprised of acutely injured patients and post-traumatic problems. Further, the program develops effective educators through multiple didactic opportunities, such as grand round presentations, lectures and guiding residents through cases in the operating room. Finally, fellows engage in research process, design and implementation which, aside from producing a project, translates into discerning reading and assessment of the literature. These aims cultivate the foundational pillars necessary for a successful career as an orthopaedic traumatologist.

The core faculty are all fellowship trained orthopaedic traumatologists who come from multiple different programs across the country, providing a diverse training environment that displays both the breadth and depth of contemporary orthopaedic trauma care. The faculty are devoted to mentoring and provide a high degree of both challenge and support so that continued growth occurs over the duration of the fellowship. Collectively, there is near 100 years of cumulative clinical experience amongst the faculty. Having only two fellows a year creates a favorable faculty to fellow ratio that allows a personalized feel to the training program.

Our clinical team consists of the faculty, fellows and residents, who are supported by multiple nurse practitioners and physician assistants and full-time research coordinators solely dedicated to the orthopaedic trauma team. In addition to a comprehensive operative experience, didactic curriculum and research program, our fellowship boasts unique educational offerings, including presentations on the business of orthopaedic trauma, lectures on professional development and a one or two-week international experience for those interested. The Orthopaedic Surgery Trauma Fellowship at IU School of Medicine is an exciting and excellent place to train, and Indianapolis is an engaging and affordable place to live. I am proud of the program and the accomplishments of our graduates. Take time to look over our website to get more information on what we have to offer, and please contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely, Roman M. Natoli