Spine Fellowship
Welcome from Our Spine Fellowship Co-Director
Rajiv Sethi, MD, PhD
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Thank you for your interest in the UCSF Spine Fellowship Program. We are excited to share the exceptional opportunities our program offers to prepare the next generation of spine surgeons for successful careers in academic medicine, private practice, and integrated health systems.
The UCSF Spine Fellowship provides comprehensive, rigorous training in the evaluation and surgical management of the full spectrum of spinal disorders. Our mission is to develop compassionate, technically skilled surgeons who are prepared to care for patients with confidence while becoming future leaders in spine surgery.
Our fellows gain extensive experience in complex spinal deformity, degenerative conditions, minimally invasive spine surgery, pediatric spine care, spinal trauma, tumors, and advanced reconstructive procedures. Fellows also participate in a robust educational program with multidisciplinary conferences, research opportunities, and exposure to emerging technologies and clinical innovation. The UCSF Spine Service performs more than 1,000 operative procedures annually, providing outstanding experience across both routine and highly complex spinal conditions.
Just as important, our faculty is committed to mentorship. We strive to create lifelong relationships that support our fellows well beyond their training. Our goal is for every graduate to leave UCSF ready to handle any challenge, adapt to new enabling technologies, lead the future of spine care, and advance our specialty.
Rajiv Sethi, MD, PhD
Professor
Chief of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
Co-Director, UCSF Spine Fellowship
Co-Director, UCSF Spine Center
UCSF System Medical Director of Value-Based Musculoskeletal Initiatives
- Current Fellows
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- Class of 2026
- Mohamed Al-Amoodi, MD
- Anudariya Batbold, MD
- Matthew Easton, MD
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- Class of 2025
- Abdullah Alshammari MD
- Austen Katz MD
- Asra Toobaie MD
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- Class of 2024
- Olusegun Onibonoje, DO, MSc
- Richard Roberts, MD
- Andrew Sawires, MD
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- Class of 2023
- Rafid Kasir, MD
- Jay Shah, DO
- Zachary Sharfman, MD
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- Class of 2022
- Ian McNeill, MD.
- Joseph Mendelis, MD
- Rahul Samtani, MD
General Information
Duration: One (1) year
Dates: August 1, 2028 to July 31, 2029
Interviews for the 2028/2029 academic year will be posted shortly. (TBD)
Combined Salary & Housing Allowance (AY2025-26): $113,149.00
Soon to be accepting applications for the 2028/2029 academic year.
Deadline for applications: TBD.
If you have any general questions, please feel free to send an email to our education team at orthoeduteam@ucsf.edu.
Faculty
| Rajiv Sethi, MD PhD (Co-director) Bobby Tay, MD (Co-director) Alan Dang, MD Vedat Deviren, MD Ashraf El Naga, MD David Gendelberg, MD Lionel Metz,MD Alekos Theologis, MD |
ChristopherAmes,MD* *UCSF Department of Neurosurgery |
Fellowship Curriculum and Research Components
Research components
Extensive research opportunities exist in the fellowship, and all fellows are required to prepare one manuscript based upon original research for publication.
Opportunities exist for clinical research through the UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery Health Outcomes Center, a multi-disciplinary research center that includes orthopaedic surgeons, epidemiologists, and other health services researchers. Basic science facilities are also available, including bioengineering, biomechanics, and molecular biology laboratories. Specific research responsibilities include:
- To work with the UCSF Orthopaedic Outcomes Institute Research Coordinator to improve the quality and consistency of data collection.
- To assist residents and medical students in designing and carrying out research projects.
- To submit at least one research manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, based on research done during the fellowship year.
Didactic components
Monday:
- Spine Lecture Series – every other week 5:00 pm
- Spine Conference – Inman Resident’s Room 7 am, didactic, interactive, topic
directed conferences. - Case conference: 8 am: review of pre and postoperative cases for the week.
Tuesday: Resident and Fellows didactic teaching.
Wednesday: UCSF Grand Rounds- Grand Rounds is held weekly September through June and covers general orthopaedic topics. Grand Rounds are organized by the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Thursday: Research conference one Thursday/month.
Friday: Fellowship Director Lecture Series
Other conferences
Journal Club: Every month
City-wide Grand Rounds: Occurs quarterly, and is attended by bay area orthopaedic surgeons. The topics are of interest to the general orthopaedic surgeon.
Interview and Selection Process Disclaimer
In accordance with Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, health, or disability. UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process. For detailed information, please visit the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.