The AO Spine Latin America fellowship program for 2020 was launched in last May. The program offers additional experience for fully trained orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who are interested in spine surgery. Fellows are trained in the principles, designations, planning, techniques, and complications of spine surgery. Fellows learn from experienced spine center directors in their daily practices.

For 2020, applicants can choose between two specific formats developed to offer the best opportunity to learn the principles of spine surgery or to develop a specific skill. They are:

Short-Term fellowship

This training is aimed at surgeons with more than one year of experience in spine surgery who want to further develop a specific technique or extend their knowledge. Candidates for short-term fellowships are required to have held AO Spine membership for at least three years by the application deadline.

Length: one, two, three or six months
Stipend: CHF 1,000 per month up to three months or a fixed stipend of CHF 3,000 for three to six months
Online application: AO Spine.org.
Application deadline: August 31
Requirements: Complete the form available at AO Spine.org and attach the following documents:

• Resumé (with papers published)
• Copy of medical diploma
• Copy of neurosurgery or orthopedics diploma
• Letter of recommendation from a senior surgeon
• Copy of an AO event certificate (certificates from all clinical divisions are accepted)
• Foreign language certificate
• Health certificate

For these fellowships, the benefits include:

• AO Spine fellowship certificate after completing the program requirements.
• Access to AO Spine educational events as an observer (depending on available space).
• Access to the AO Spine educational platform.
• Opportunity to build a network through the community of fellows.

Associate fellow

This training is aimed at fellows who have already been accepted at an AO Spine center, entitling them to join the community as associate fellows.

Length: 12 to 24 months (according to the spine center rules).
Stipend: No financial support.
Enrollment: Participants must follow the selection process of the institution of interest.
Application deadline: up to three months after being accepted as a fellow at an AO Spine center
Requirements: The form available at AO Spine.org must be completed by the candidate only after being accepted as a fellow at an AO Spine center. Please attach the following documents:

• Resumé (with papers published)
• Copy of medical diploma
• Copy of neurosurgery or orthopedics diploma
• Letter of acceptance from the selected AO Spine center

For these fellowships, the benefits include:

• One-year AO Spine membership at the beginning of the associate fellow program.
• AO Spine fellowship certificate after completing the program requirements.
• Access to AO Spine educational events as an observer (depending on available space).
• Access to the AO Spine educational platform.
• Opportunity to build a network through the community of fellows.