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Overview
The one-year Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, provides a unique opportunity for advanced training across the full spectrum of spinal surgery. Fellows work closely with experienced faculty who utilize a wide range of techniques, covering the gamut of spine surgery, from foundational procedures to highly complex interventions.
Fellows learn in an enriched, collaborative environment filled with faculty from many outstanding institutions who are enthusiastic about training and teaching. The fellowship includes comprehensive exposure to spinal deformity, spinal oncology, endoscopic spine surgery, and minimally invasive techniques, including both lateral and anterior approaches. In addition, fellows are trained in advanced techniques such as robotic and awake spine surgery.
Mayo Clinic is a historic institution in training the next generation, with a strong commitment to education, research, and patient care. This tradition is reflected in a program designed to develop highly skilled, well-rounded spine surgeons.
The Jacksonville campus is home to seven dedicated spine specialists performing basic to extremely complex spinal surgeries in a state-of-the-art facility. In the most recent academic year, the team completed over 1,300 spine cases, providing fellows with extensive clinical and operative experience.
spine faculty
rotation blocks
position available annually
Certification and program history
Certification
After successfully completing this fellowship, fellows are eligible for the Committee on Advanced
Subspecialty Training certification.
Program history
The Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship will accept its first fellow in 2027.
Application process
Positions
One fellowship position is available every year beginning in 2027.
Qualifications
Applicants for the 2027 program must have completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education 2027 Neurosurgery program.
Also see general admissions requirements.
How to apply
Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education does not process printed applications to this program. You must apply through Recruit, a third-party application service. No matching program services are used.
Mayo's academic year begins in July. You must submit a completed application form and all required documentation no later than Jan. 1 the previous year. However, applications are accepted at any time during the year.
Complete the following steps to apply:
- Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- All applications to Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education programs must include these application materials
- After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section (if applicable)
- Complete the Recommendation Request section (if applicable)
Curriculum
Clinical training and didactic training
Clinical training
The Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship will provide trainees with the breadth of spine specialties, including MIS, deformity, and oncology. This will include everything from simple to very complex patient conditions. Trainees will be guided by seven spine faculty members to learn from.
Didactic training
Fellows will participate in a weekly spine conference, the neurosurgery conference, and the yearly Mayo Clinic Spine Conference.
Research opportunities and teaching opportunities
Research opportunities
Fellows will work with faculty mentors to identify areas of academic interest for research.
Teaching opportunities
The fellow will participate in resident education.
Evaluation
To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, your performance is monitored carefully during the program. You are evaluated formally by the supervising faculty member after each clinical rotation, and you will meet with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, you will also regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure that your educational needs are being met.
Belonging
At Mayo Clinic, we foster an inclusive working environment and embrace the diversity of all our trainees, faculty, staff, and patients. Our Office of Belonging offers tremendous resources to support our mission of maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for all our employees, including our learners. We strive to provide culturally appropriate care and do our part to reduce healthcare disparities.
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From the program director
Welcome to the Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We are proud to offer the opportunities to train with nationally renowned neurosurgeons who specialize in all aspects of spine neurosurgery. We have seven faculty who specialize in deformity, MIS, endoscopic, oncology, and robotics. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity for fellows to hone their skills.
Kingsley Abode-Iyamah, M.D.
Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship Program Director
Department and faculty
We have a robust elective spine practice with seven dedicated spine surgeons. Our faculty are enthusiastic about training the next generation. Each faculty has a subspecialty interest that covers deformity, MIS, endoscopic, oncology, awake spine surgery, and robotics.
Meet the faculty
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Kingsley Abode-Iyamah, M.D.Dr. Abode-Iyamah is a deformity-trained neurosurgeon with an interest in both spinal deformity and MIS awake spine surgery.
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Oluwaseun Akinduro, M.D.Dr. Akinduro is a spine-oncology-trained neurosurgeon with a robust spinal oncology practice and an active lab. His interest includes spine oncology, endoscopic, single position surgery, and awake spine surgery. |
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Ian Buchanan, M.D.Dr. Buchanan is a deformity-trained neurosurgeon with interest in deformity, OLIF, and single position MIS surgery. |
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Selby Chen, M.D.Dr. Chen is a leader in MIS spine surgery. He has yearly award for teacher of the year with great commitment to resident and fellow education. He specializes in MIS, lateral, and robotic spine surgery. |
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Chris Fox, M.D.Dr. Chen is a leader in MIS spine surgery. He has yearly award for teacher of the year with great commitment to resident and fellow education. He specializes in MIS, lateral, and robotic spine surgery. |
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Eric Nottmeier, M.D.Dr. Nottmeier is a nationally recognized neurosurgeon with national leadership in organized neurosurgery. He was previous president of SNS with many honors locally and nationally for his expertise. He specializes in complex spinal pathology with interest in navigation and SI fusion. |
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Stephen Pirris, M.D.Dr. Pirris is a leader in organized neurosurgery and current president of Society of Neurological Surgeons. He is a leader in endoscopic spine surgery with interest in awake spine surgery and lateral. |
Wellness initiatives
As a trainee, your physical and mental health are priorities to Mayo Clinic and the department. Trainees have access to several resources to promote well-being, as well as time off clinical duties to attend appointments.
- Fitness centers
- Groups on campus
- Well-being
Fitness centers
Mayo Clinic residents or fellows can experience 24/7 free access to the Bill Hewitt Employee Wellness Center — opened in the summer of 2024 and spans 6,700 square feet with modern cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, a studio for live classes, and includes showers and locker rooms for convenience.
Additionally, residents or fellows at our three campuses get discounted membership fees to area gyms. In Jacksonville, Florida, residents and fellows can obtain an exclusive discount with the YMCA (several locations).
Groups on campus
Opportunities to join a variety of groups on campus provide regular social activities and can help enhance your training while connecting with a broad group of peers.
Trainees will have the opportunity to join a Mayo Employee Resource Group (MERG) at any time during their training program. Mayo Employee Resource Groups (MERGs) are employee-led affinity groups to promote belonging, increase cultural awareness, and foster an environment of respect and inclusivity. Any Mayo Clinic employee can join a group of interest and choose their level of involvement
Well-being
The Office of Academic Support and Well-Being provides resources to promote academic, emotional, social, cognitive, financial, and physical well-being. Career and academic services include academic advising, peer tutoring, and accommodations for learners with disabilities or health conditions. Mental health services, counseling, interview practice, and a variety of enrichment sessions on topics like budgeting, resiliency, and stress and burn-out are also available through the Academic Support and Well-Being office.
Mayo Fellows Association (MFA)
The Mayo Fellows Association (MFA) offers a peer and social support network for residents and fellows and their families with social events, athletics, and advocacy. The MFA also holds an annual resident and fellow appreciation event open to all trainees with complimentary massages, stress-reducing activities, and social support.
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Jacksonville, FL
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Stipend and benefits
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