In a ground-breaking stride toward advancing spinal surgery and fostering international collaboration, Neurospine Institute (NSI) proudly announces the commencement of its inaugural dual surgical fellowship program. In partnership with AO Spine, this remarkable initiative not only expands the Institute’s commitment to surgical education but also underscores its dedication to global knowledge sharing. Driven by a desire to continually enhance patient care and cultivate the future leaders of spinal surgery, Neurospine Institute has opened its doors to two exceptional Surgical Fellows from around the world.
Dr. Andrew Berg, Surgical Fellow: Nurturing Excellence and Building Connections
Dr. Andrew Berg, one of Neurospine Institute’s Surgical Fellows, shares his experience: “The NSI fellowship has provided me with exposure to a high volume of both routine and complex spinal surgery cases across the breadth of adult spinal surgery. The organisation of the fellowship has enabled me to receive considerable one-on-one mentorship, from excellent educators, who are not only passionate about providing excellence in patient care but also about training future generations of spinal surgeons to be able to provide the same.”
Dr. Berg highlights the unique strength of Neurospine Institute’s program, emphasising its inclusivity of both orthopaedic and neurosurgical perspectives. He adds, “Having a colleague who is also completing his fellowship, who is at a similar stage in their career but comes with different experiences and perspectives from around the world, adds an additional dimension to the training in both the clinical and research settings.”
Dr. Juan Amaya, Surgical Fellow: A Wholesome Educational Experience
Dr. Juan Amaya underscores the comprehensiveness of the fellowship program: “The fellowship program at NSI is very wholesome, providing great exposure to a good number of surgical cases. All of the surgeons are very open to guide and teach whether it is in the theatre or in clinic.”
Dr. Amaya highlights the advantages of having two Fellows in the same program as well, noting that it provides invaluable guidance and feedback in various aspects of their work. He further points out the collaborative spirit that drives research at Neurospine Institute.
Dr. Jessica Gaff, Research Scientist: Bridging Clinicians and Researchers
Dr. Jessica Gaff, Research Scientist at Neurospine Institute’s research arm, Neurospine Foundation (NSF), underscores the crucial role of research in advancing spinal care: “The aim of Neurospine Foundation’s spinal research is to improve the outcomes for patients suffering from spinal conditions by investigating possible preventions, interventions, and innovations throughout the patient’s treatment journey.”
She emphasises that having multiple Fellows involved in research at NSF strengthens the collaboration between clinicians and researchers, creating a space for global contributions to the field of spinal surgery. Dr. Gaff further explains how this collaboration helps formulate research questions that are globally pertinent, ultimately advancing spinal literature and understanding.
Dr. Paul Taylor, Spine Surgeon and Fellowship Program Director: Expanding Opportunities and Expertise
Dr. Paul Taylor, Director and Spine Surgeon at Neurospine Institute, acknowledges the benefits of having two Fellows in the program: “Having two Fellows marks an expansion of our program and helps us enhance our research program as well. The volume of work we undertake certainly allows for two clinical Fellows to be engaged and fully occupied. It also gives us many more educational opportunities.”
Dr. Taylor expresses the Institute’s enthusiasm for interacting with surgeons from different countries and learning from their diverse approaches to complex problems. He also hints at the possibility of further expanding the program to include a full-time research fellow in the future.
Colin La Galia, Managing Director: Nurturing Future Leaders
Colin La Galia, the Managing Director of Neurospine Institute remarks, “We are very proud to support our Fellows at Neurospine Institute as part of their Fellowship journey. As a recognized AO Spine Fellowship Centre, we pride ourselves on providing an environment of enhanced learning and collaboration, skill development, and research and innovation to ensure we meet and exceed the personal goals of the Fellows and specific objectives of the Fellow Training Program.”
He concludes by expressing the Institute’s eagerness to contribute to the professional growth and development of the Surgical Fellows and shares in their success as they continue to chart their careers at the Neurospine Institute.
In launching its Dual Surgical Fellow Program, Neurospine Institute reaffirms its commitment to excellence in spinal surgery, research, and education, setting a global standard for collaborative innovation and patient-centered care. As these Surgical Fellows embark on their fellowship journey, they carry with them the Institute’s legacy of dedication to advancing the field of spinal surgery and improving the lives of patients worldwide.
To find out more about Neurospine Institute’s fellowship program, including AO Spine and how to apply, visit neurospineinstitute.com.au/ao-spine/ or email fellow@nsiwa.com.au