Video: Learn about the new Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship, offering advanced training in the clinical evaluation and procedural intervention of spine and musculoskeletal disorders. (Video: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery).
Application deadline is March 31, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO (March 6, 2025) -- San Francisco, CA – The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is excited to announce the launch of its Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship for the 2026/2027 academic year. This one-year, highly specialized program offers advanced training in the clinical evaluation, radiographic interpretation, management, and procedural intervention of spine and musculoskeletal disorders.
Aiming for Excellence in Spine and Musculoskeletal Care
The UCSF fellowship is designed for physicians looking to gain expertise in advanced spinal interventions, including fluoroscopic-guided injections, radiofrequency ablation, and other cutting-edge techniques. Accredited by the North American Spine Society (NASS), this fellowship presents a unique opportunity for physicians to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced, board-certified faculty members in Physiatry, Anesthesiology, Electrodiagnostics, and Pain Medicine.
Comprehensive Hands-On Training
Fellows will gain valuable experience by working closely with multidisciplinary teams across various settings, such as outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized procedure suites for interventional fluoroscopy and musculoskeletal ultrasound. They will also have the opportunity to interact with experts in Sports Medicine and Surgical Spine, gaining insight from some of the leading professionals in their field.
Curriculum Overview
The fellowship offers structured training, beginning with observational experiences and progressing to greater responsibility, where fellows will independently manage cases, perform procedures, and lead patient care. Fellows will also take part in general physiatry clinics and engage in academic activities such as case discussions, journal clubs, and research projects.
The program is structured to ensure that fellows have ample opportunities to present at regional and national conferences and contribute to academic publications. Training will also focus on an array of interventional spine procedures, including:
- Epidural Steroid Injections (including Cervical)
- Medial Branch Blocks
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Fluoroscopic Peripheral Joint Injections
- PRP/Regenerative Medicine
- Ultrasound-guided Interventions
- Kyphoplasty
- Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulation Trials
Fellows will focus their training on cervical (30%), thoracic (5%), and lumbar (65%) spine procedures, with a wide range of conditions, including degenerative (35%), trauma (5%), deformity (5%), tumor (3%), pediatric (2%), and other conditions (20%).
Application Details
The fellowship is now accepting applications for the 2026/2027 academic year. Interested candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Applications can be submitted through the UCSF fellowship application portal. The tentative application deadline is March 31, 2025, with interviews scheduled from March 11 to July 11, 2025.
For more information or to apply, visit the official fellowship page here.
Contact Information:
- Program Directors: Dr. Paolo Mimbella, MD, MSc (Program Director), Dr. Lyndly Tamura, MD (Deputy Director)
- Contact: Brad Stark, Brad.Stark@ucsf.edu
- Fellowship website
- Fellowship video
