The Hand Surgery Fellowship is administered in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery with a liaison in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

From the program director

Thank you for your interest in the Hand Surgery Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As you embark upon your journey with us, you will notice that collaborative care and multidisciplinary training are at the heart of the training program. At Mayo Clinic, we emphasize teamwork, allowing fellows to interact with specialists from various disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation. This collaborative environment fosters a holistic understanding of patient care and promotes the development of well-rounded surgeons.

Additionally, our faculty members are leaders in their fields, not only providing mentorship but also offering insights into the latest techniques and innovations. This combination of multidisciplinary collaboration, exceptional mentorship, and a strong focus on research and education positions our fellows for success in their future careers.

Our innovative curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education in both clinical and surgical aspects of hand surgery. You will engage in a variety of learning experiences, including didactic sessions, hands-on workshops, and case-based discussions, all aimed at enhancing your critical thinking and decision-making skills. The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements in the field, ensuring you receive training that is both relevant and cutting-edge. Additionally, you will benefit from extensive clinical exposure, working alongside our world-class faculty in diverse settings, from complex reconstructive procedures to outpatient care.

Research opportunities are a cornerstone of our fellowship program, encouraging you to contribute to the advancement of hand surgery. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, allowing you to explore various topics that interest you. Furthermore, our commitment to outreach extends beyond our walls, with opportunities for domestic and international service. You can engage in community programs and global health initiatives, applying your skills in diverse environments and making a meaningful impact on patient care worldwide.

We are excited to support you on this journey as you become a leader in hand surgery!

Sanj Kakar, M.D.
Hand Surgery Fellowship Program Director

Faculty

In addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.

Orthopedic surgery

	Allen Bishop, M.D. Interests: Reconstructive microsurgery, brachial plexus injury, and vascularized bone grafting. See full profile
	Courtney Carlson Strother, M.D. Interests: Providing comprehensive evaluation and surgical management of hand and wrist arthritis. Upper extremity reconstruction in patients with peripheral nerve injuries or compressive nerve injuries. Expertise in the management of complex upper extremity bone, soft tissue, and nerve injuries. Promoting wide awake hand surgery in an efficient, comfortable manner for patients. See full profile
	Sanj Kakar, M.D. Interests: Management of sports injuries to the elbow, wrist, and hand; hand and wrist arthroscopy; carpal instability; ulnar sided wrist pain; TFCC injuries; distal radioulnar joint arthritis and instability; wrist, carpal, and hand fractures; wrist and hand arthritis and arthroplasty; Dupuytren's disease; denervation procedures and compression neuropathies. See full profile
	Nicholas Pulos, M.D. Interests: Reconstruction of brachial plexus birth palsies and traumatic brachial plexus injuries, management of fracture nonunions with vascularized bone grafts, peripheral nerve surgery, wide awake hand surgery, and multimodal pain strategies. See full profile
	Peter Rhee, D.O., M.S. Interests: Correction of spasticity in the upper and lower extremities after a brain or spinal cord injury; upper extremity reconstruction in spinal cord injury; management of fracture nonunions with vascularized bone grafts; post-traumatic reconstruction of the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand; reconstructive microsurgery; peripheral nerve surgery; wide awake hand surgery; and diaphragm reanimation in cervical spinal cord injury (quadriplegia/tetraplegia). See full profile
	Marco Rizzo, M.D. Interests: Reconstructive surgery of the hand and wrist; joint replacement of the hand/wrist; rheumatoid arthritis; trauma of the hand, wrist, and forearm; Dupuytren’s disease; thumb arthritis; nerve compression syndromes of the hand, wrist, and elbow; hand and upper extremity tumors; overuse conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow; tendon reconstructions for the upper extremity; treatment of chronic deformities following trauma; and treatment of hand and upper extremity infections. See full profile
	Alexander Shin, M.D. Interests: Vascularized bone grafting; reconstructive microsurgery; wrist reconstruction; brachial plexus injuries; and minimally invasive incisionless carpal tunnel surgery hand surgery. See full profile

Plastic surgery

	Karim Bakri, M.B.B.S. Interests: Reconstructive microsurgery; cancer reconstruction; extremity surgery (upper and lower); peripheral nerve surgery; comprehensive hand and microsurgery; compression neuropathy in the hand; hand surgery; hand tumors; joint replacements (hand, wrist, and elbow); osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; tendon repair and reconstruction in the hand; trigger finger; reconstructive microsurgery; wrist, carpal, and hand fractures; wrist and hand arthritis; wrist arthroscopy; perforator flaps; general reconstruction; reconstructive microsurgery and complex reconstruction; and lower extremity, trunk, and perineal reconstruction. See full profile
	Brian Carlsen, M.D. Interests: Reconstructive microsurgery; hand surgery; arthritis; peripheral nerve surgery; comprehensive hand and microsurgery; compression neuropathy in the hand; extremity surgery (upper and lower); hand tumors; joint replacements (hand, wrist, and elbow); osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; tendon repair and reconstruction in the hand; trigger finger; vascularized composite tissue transplantation (VCA); wrist, carpal, and hand fractures; wrist and hand arthritis; and wrist arthroscopy. See full profile
	Steven Moran, M.D. Interests: Pediatric and congenital hand problems; arthritis; comprehensive hand and microsurgery; compression neuropathy in the hand; extremity surgery (upper and lower); hand surgery; hand tumors; joint replacements (hand, wrist, and elbow); osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; peripheral nerve surgery tendon repair and reconstruction in the hand; trigger finger; reconstructive microsurgery; vascularized composite tissue transplantation (VCA); wrist, carpal, and hand fractures; wrist and hand arthritis; and wrist arthroscopy. See full profile
	Kitty Wu, M.D. Interests: Upper extremity reconstruction in adult and pediatric patients with cervical spinal cord injuries. Surgical management of spasticity following spinal cord or brain injuries (stroke, cerebral palsy, trauma related). Traumatic upper and lower extremity injuries requiring soft tissue, bone, tendon, and nerve reconstruction. Expertise in wrist reconstruction for patients with arthritis, non-union/mal-union, and ligamentous injuries. See full profile

Advisers and mentors

Faculty advisers are available to provide comprehensive educational advice and personal support. You meet with your adviser periodically throughout the program to review your progress and career goals and ensure that your educational needs are being met. Also, your adviser may serve as a contact point for introducing you and your family to Rochester, Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic system.

Visiting professors

Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic each year. They present their work during lectures, participate in hospital rounds, and have informal discussions with trainees. You're encouraged to take full advantage of these educational opportunities.

Facilities

Mayo Clinic's hand surgery clinical outpatient facility consists of 12 examination rooms, one cast room, and one splint room with three full-time technicians. A hand therapy assessment unit and treatment areas are provided in conjunction with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Clinic hours are all day Monday through Friday, with alternating clinical and surgical days for each surgeon (one week the consultant is in the clinic Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with surgery on Tuesday and Thursday, reversing the following week). The Brachial Plexus Clinic is held for a half day each week and is staffed by two hand surgeons, a neurosurgeon, and support staff, including physician assistants and therapists.

Hand surgery is performed at both the Methodist campus and the Saint Marys campus of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and in the Gonda outpatient surgery center, also in Rochester. Added experience in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital hand differences is available through Shriners Hospital for Children (Minneapolis, Minnesota) and Gillette Children’s Hospital (St. Paul, Minnesota).

Interested fellows may participate in the hand care of athletic injuries involving local schools and the junior college, including attendance at games and practices.

The Hand Surgery Fellowship offers access to the educational features of the large postgraduate training center at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Close liaison is maintained with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Department of Radiology, and the Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory. Research projects with each of these departments are available, as are projects in the biomechanics laboratory with clinical applications.