Orthopaedic surgeons from five countries spent last week at UCSF exploring innovative approaches to orthopaedic care, sharing research, observing clinical programs and building relationships that will advance patient care around the world.
SAN FRANCISCO – June 5, 2026 —Seven surgeons. Five countries. Four days in San Francisco. Shared challenges. Shared ideas. New friendships.
The conversations unfolded in clinics, operating rooms, lecture halls, aboard ferries crossing San Francisco Bay and over dinner as seven orthopaedic surgeons that are part of the American-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship at UCSF.
The seven surgeons participating in the 2026 American-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship visited UCSF as part of an international exchange program that promotes collaboration among orthopaedic surgeons from around the world. Top row, left to right: Dr. Alexander Aarvold of Southampton, England; Dr. Ryan Gao of Auckland, New Zealand; Dr. Sanjay Gupta of Glasgow, Scotland; and Dr. Jeya Palan of Leeds, England. Bottom row, left to right: Dr. Jurek Pietrzak of Johannesburg, South Africa; Dr. Geraint Thomas of Oswestry, England; and Dr. Tom Ward of Australia. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Established in 1948, the ABC Traveling Fellowship is among orthopaedic surgery's longest-running international exchange programs. Each year, a select group of orthopaedic surgeons visit leading academic medical centers to observe clinical care, present research and build professional relationships with colleagues around the world.
"One of the greatest strengths of the fellowship is the opportunity to learn from colleagues whose experiences may be very different from our own," said C. Benjamin Ma, MD, chair of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. "The relationships built during these visits often continue long after the week ends, creating connections that benefit our institutions and the patients we serve."
As the week progressed, the conversations became less about differences between countries and more about common ground. Whether discussing hip preservation, pediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine or joint replacement, the surgeons found themselves confronting many of the same questions: how to improve outcomes, expand access to care and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and treatments.
For several fellows, the visit marked their first trip to San Francisco. UCSF Chair C. Benjamin Ma, MD, led a tour of the city, sharing local landmarks and history while continuing conversations that began in clinics, operating rooms and conference sessions. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Four Days in the Bay Area
The fellowship began with a welcome gathering that brought together visiting surgeons and UCSF faculty before four days of clinical observation, academic exchange and exploration.
Over the course of the week, the fellows moved between clinics, operating rooms, research conferences and classrooms, comparing how orthopaedic care is delivered across different healthcare systems and sharing ideas from their own institutions.
ABC Fellows spent the week observing clinics, conferences and surgical procedures across multiple orthopaedic subspecialties, providing opportunities to compare techniques and approaches to patient care used in different healthcare systems. Left: Dr. Ryan Gao joined hosts Dr. Stephanie Wong, center, and Dr. C. Benjamin Ma at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute during a day of clinical observation and academic exchange. Right: Fellows visited UCSF Mount Zion Medical Center as part of the weeklong program, observing clinics, operating rooms and multidisciplinary conferences. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
One day included a pediatric orthopaedic clinic in Oakland, a musculoskeletal oncology conference at Mission Bay and observations in the operating room at Mount Zion. Along the way, conversations moved easily between surgical technique, research, education and the challenges facing patients around the world.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting the fellowship is seeing how quickly meaningful connections develop," said Stephanie Wong, MD, who co-organized the UCSF visit. "The fellows arrive with different experiences and perspectives, but they share a commitment to advancing patient care. By the end of the week, those conversations often evolve into professional relationships that continue for years."
Sharing Knowledge Across Borders
Faculty, fellows and trainees gathered at Genentech Hall on May 29, 2026, for an afternoon of presentations and discussion during the ABC Traveling Fellowship visit to UCSF. The fellowship brings emerging orthopaedic leaders together to exchange ideas and build international professional relationships. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
The intellectual centerpiece of the visit came Friday afternoon at Genentech Hall, where fellows and UCSF faculty gathered for an academic symposium spanning topics from pediatric hip dysplasia and shoulder reconstruction to musculoskeletal oncology and hip preservation.
Several presentations focused on scientific and clinical research, while others offered glimpses into the healthcare systems, cultures and communities the fellows serve at home.
UCSF's Drew Lansdown, MD, speaks with Jeya Palan, MD, of Leeds, England, during the ABC Traveling Fellowship symposium at Genentech Hall. Dr. Alexander Aarvold, at the podium, presents research on pediatric hip dysplasia during the symposium, which brought fellows and faculty together for scientific presentations and clinical discussions. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
The presentations offered a window into how surgeons across five countries are addressing similar challenges within different healthcare systems, patient populations and research environments.
What emerged was less a series of lectures than a conversation — one that continued long after the final presentation ended.
"Although healthcare systems vary across countries, many of the challenges we face as orthopaedic surgeons are remarkably similar," said Claudio Diaz, MD, a symposium presenter and organizer of the visit. "The fellowship creates a unique forum to discuss those challenges openly, compare approaches and learn from innovations being developed in different parts of the world."
Fellows and UCSF faculty gathered along the San Francisco waterfront following the fellowship symposium. Shared meals and informal conversations are an important part of the fellowship experience, strengthening connections formed through academic exchange and clinical observation. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Following the symposium, fellows and faculty gathered for dinner overlooking the San Francisco waterfront before participating in a group hike at Lands End and a closing dinner on Saturday evening.
The fellowship continued with a trip to Alcatraz and a group hike through the Presidio, offering participants an opportunity to reflect on a week of learning, collaboration and friendship before continuing the North American portion of their tour. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
The fellowship concluded Sunday as the surgeons departed San Francisco to continue the North American portion of their tour.
They left with new colleagues, fresh perspectives and memories that extended far beyond conference rooms and operating suites.
In a social media post following the visit, one fellow thanked the UCSF hosts for their hospitality, writing, "We absolutely love our UCSF polo shirts and we will wear them with pride."
For a program built on international exchange, the comment captured the week's larger purpose: strengthening professional connections through shared experiences, shared learning and a shared commitment to patient care.
The ABC Traveling Fellows gather in front of the San Francisco Ferry Building following a week of clinical observation, academic exchange and exploration of the Bay Area. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)