Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics Fellowship

Non-operative pediatric orthopedics is a new, emerging field of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating many non-surgical musculoskeletal conditions in children and adolescents. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is pleased to offer a one-year fellowship to train Board-eligible or Board-certified pediatricians, as well as family medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, to practice as specialists in non-operative pediatric musculoskeletal medicine.

Why Choose CHLA

U.S. News & World Report has consistently named Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a top pediatric institution since starting its Best Children’s Hospital program in 1990. Additionally, the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA, which houses the most comprehensive services in the Western United States, is ranked a top 10 pediatric orthopedic program in the country.

The Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics Fellowship is the only program of its kind of the West Coast.

Upon completing the fellowship, graduates will be prepared to join a busy pediatric orthopedic practice with competitive income potential and minimal to no call responsibilities.

Program Fast Facts

  • ACGME Accredited: No
  • Fellows per year: 1
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Postgraduate Training Required: Yes
  • CA Medical License Required: Preferred
  • U.S. Citizenship Required: Yes
  • Salary: $74,900 with a competitive benefits plan

Training Details

Clinical care

Fellows participate primarily in outpatient patient care. Clinical responsibilities will focus on general pediatric orthopedics, but also include sports medicine, spine and rehabilitation. As a fellow, you will gain experience in fracture management in the emergency room and inpatient consultations regarding pediatric clubfoot.

Fellows work with both orthopedic surgeons and non-surgical pediatricians to understand indications for surgical referral and non-operative management of orthopedic issues.

Teaching

Education occurs through didactic conferences and during patient care. Education for fellows is specifically targeted at weekly conferences. Fellows also will present on pediatric orthopedic issues to pediatric residents.

Research

Each fellow will be required to participate in a research project during the one-year fellowship. The Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA has a robust research program, which affords numerous opportunities to conduct research based on a fellow’s area of interest. Fellows will be expected to submit an abstract to present at a national meeting.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should fill out the application form and email it to Fellowship Coordinator Daryl MacLaren at dmaclaren@chla.usc.edu. You will be required to also submit your CV, personal statement and letters of recommendations. 

The deadline for applications is March 30, 2022, with an anticipated program start date of Aug. 1, 2022.

Please contact Daryl MacLaren at dmaclaren@chla.usc.edu or Fellowship Director Melissa Bent, MD, FAAP, at mbent@chla.usc.edu if you have any questions or would like more information.