Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Foot and Ankle

Alex J. Kline, MD
Fellowship Director
William E. Saar, DO
Co-Fellowship Director
MaCalus V. Hogan, MD, MBA
Co-Fellowship Director
Chief, Orthopaedic Service Line

 

Supervising Faculty

 

Stephen F. Conti, MD

Christopher T. Edwards, MD

 

 

 

Lauren Lewis, MD, MPH

 

 

 

The goal of the UPMC Foot & Ankle Fellowship Program is to train and educate the fellow in the evaluation, care and management of injuries and diseases of the foot & ankle, and to teach surgical skills necessary to provide high quality care. This includes the evaluation of congenital deformities, trauma, tumors, sports medicine, degenerative disorders and infection.

During this twelve-month training program the fellow will gain adequate operative experience and expertise in the above-mentioned areas, and academic knowledge that will support their clinical expertise and allow them to pass all board examinations.

These goals will be achieved by the fellows’ participation in the weekly didactic conferences and course attendance in areas related to foot and ankle surgery. These include anatomy, congenital deformities, trauma and its reconstruction (bone, joint, soft tissue, and tendon), rehabilitation, arthritis, tumors, contractures, injections, arthroplasty, and basic science.

The fellow will take part in the diagnosis and management of foot and ankle problems on a daily basis. Clinical exposure to foot and ankle surgery will be gained in the emergency room, outpatient clinics, the operating room, and during conferences.

Fellow responsibility will be gradually increased and will be closely monitored by the faculty and program director in the form of biannual reviews.

Upon completion of the program, the fellow will have demonstrated sufficient professional ability to practice competently and independently in the field of foot and ankle surgery in conjunction with an orthopaedic or general surgery practice.

Each facility offers contributions to the educational program. UPMC provides the fellow with experience in an array of orthopaedic foot and ankle reconstructive procedures. The amenities at UPMC include excellent conference facilities and research opportunities. The Foot and Ankle Fellowship offers fellows exposure to a vast number and variety of cases, state-of-the-art surgical facilities and five faculty members who are dedicated to teaching the fellows.

 

The twelve month program is divided as follows:

Block rotations between with one of the attending Foot & Ankle physicians. During the rotation with the attending Foot & Ankle physicians, the fellow is taught how to perform a thorough clinical examination, to read an x-ray ,and interpret advanced imaging. The fellow is encouraged to make treatment suggestions based on his or her findings. The suggestions are discussed with the attending. When the physician(s) has operative cases scheduled, the fellow will assist the attending surgeon with the surgical procedure that was discussed and scheduled while the patient was in the office.

UPMC Community Medicine, Inc. Orthopaedics Rotation – Each fellow will acquire knowledge in foot and ankle anatomy and pathophysiology, biomechanics of the foot and ankle, and diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders involving the foot and ankle. Special attention is focused on total ankle replacements, and the revision of ankle replacements. On call duties include assessment and initial management of traumatic injuries and infections of the foot and ankle. The facilities that contribute to fellow education while on this service are the UPMC Passavant Main and UPMC Passavant Cranberry, the South Hills Surgery Center, and UPMC St. Margaret’s. During each of these rotations, each fellow is exposed to inpatient as well as ambulatory care situations. There are two fellows on the commmunity rotation at all times.

Supervising facultyStephen F. Conti, MDAlex J. Kline, MD, Christopher T. Edwards, MD, and William E. Saar, DO

University of Pittsburgh Physicians (UPP) Department of Orthopaedics Rotation – The educational focus of this rotation is to acquire knowledge through the evaluation and treatment of patients with all pathology involving the foot and ankle. Special attention is focused on sports medicine injuries, arthroscopy, dance medicine, reconstructive procedures including treatment of arthritic conditions, nerve compression syndrome, congenital deformity, tendinopathy, tumors. The fellow is an integral part of the team and works day-in and day-out with the physician in either the office or operating room to achieve continuity of care for the patient. On call duties include assessment and initial management of traumatic injuries and infections of the foot and ankle. The facilities that contribute to fellow education while on this service are UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, UPMC Mercy, UPMC East, UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine, and UPMC Lemieux Sports Compex. During these rotations, each fellow is exposed to inpatient as well as ambulatory care situations. There is one fellow on the UPP rotation at all times.  Fellows will also have the opportunity to interact with and teach residents from the University of Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Residency Program.

Supervising facultyMaCalus V. Hogan, MD, MBA, Lauren Lewis, MD, MPH


Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in research, cadaveric teaching labs, foot & ankle conference, and journal club.

 

Application Process

Applicants are required to complete the Central Application Service (CAS) through the San Francisco Matching Program. The application deadline and interview dates are to be determined.