About the Program
The Baylor College of Medicine ACGME-approved Hand Surgery Fellowship covers the entire spectrum of upper extremity surgery with major emphasis on the hand and wrist-acute trauma, reconstructive surgery, brachial plexus, free bone and myocutaneuous flaps, replantation, total joint replacement, sports medicine, congenital deformities and arthroscopy.
Training and Faculty
Training occurs at the renowned Texas Medical Center and includes Baylor St Luke’s Medical Center McNair Campus, Ben Taub Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Texas Orthopedic Hospital.
A dedicated teaching faculty includes:
- Bryce Bell (Program Director)
- Scott Mitchell (Education Director)
- Idris Gharbaoui
- Randy Luo
- David Netscher
- Jenny Lee Nguyen
- Jose Nolla
- Chris Pederson
- Adil Ahmed
- Christine Yin
Training Sites
Affiliations with leading research and healthcare institutions in and around the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest healthcare complex, provide access to an exceptionally diverse array of people and clinical resources. A clinical research project is required and participation in a laboratory project is strongly encouraged. Discover how our affiliations enhance our clinical and education programs.
Admissions and Benefits
Register and complete a formal hand fellowship application through the ASSH (American Society for Surgery of the Hand) application portal. Submit all accommodating documentation as required by the ASSH through the application portal. Only completed applications are reviewed by the fellowship program director and review committee.
The deadline is Nov. 17.
For questions, contact the Academic Office at 713-986-7396 or orthoeducation@bcm.edu.
Requirements include:
- M.D. degree
- Graduation from an approved Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program, Plastic Surgery Residency Program, or General Surgery Residency Program
- Completed fellowship application
- Letter of reference from the Residency Program Director
- A Texas Medical License and CPR certification
The following documents must be submitted for consideration for an orthopedic fellowship position.
Note: All notarized documents must contain the statement notarized as a true copy of an original document.
- Completed Baylor application, including a passport-sized photograph
- Current curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Personal statement Four letters of recommendation, of which one must be from the dean of students at your medical college or a copy of the Medical School Performance Evaluation
- Notarized transcript
- Notarized diploma
- USMLE transcript (step 1, step 2, and step 3)
This fellowship program only accepts J-1 visa sponsorship. Documents required of international applicants include: USMLE test results (steps I, II, and III), ECFMG Certificate (see details below), TOEFL or ECFMG English exam results, FLEX (if taken), a Dean's Certification Form (a BCM form), a Medical diploma and English translation reduced to an 8 ½ inch by 11-inch page notarized on the front of each page and containing the statement "notarized as a true copy of an original document." Also required is a transcript and English translation reduced to an 8 ½ inch by 11-inch page notarized on the front of each page and containing the statement "notarized as a true copy of an original document. " Other additional required documents include a Mark sheet & English translation reduced to an 8 ½ inch by 11-inch page notarized on the front of each page and containing the statement "notarized as a true copy of an original document," a valid ECFMG certificate and page notarized on the front of each page and containing the statement "notarized as a true copy of an original document" and a Visa questionnaire—all completed applications are reviewed.
Once the applicant's file is complete, the fellowship selection committee reviews it. If the committee feels the applicant is competitive for our program, the applicant will be invited to a formal interview. The Department of Orthopedic Surgery conducts interview sessions by appointment only. Each applicant is interviewed by several members of the section.
For questions regarding admissions to the Hand Surgery fellowship program, contact the Orthopedic Academic Office by email at desig@bcm.edu.
Baylor College of Medicine Stipend Level: PGY VI, $56,101.
For more information, visit the Graduate Medical Education office website.
Awards
David T. Netscher Award for Excellence in Hand Surgery
The David T. Netscher Award for Excellence in Hand Surgery is a $1,000 prize presented annually at graduation to the Baylor College of Medicine Hand Surgery fellow who best exemplifies the professionalism and dedication to improving and advancing the field of Hand Surgery that defined Dr. Netscher's career.
Dr. David T. Netscher was born in South Africa and graduated with highest distinction from the University of the Witwatersrand School of Medicine. After completing additional training in the United Kingdom and earning the Medal for the highest score on the FRCS primary examination, he transferred to the United States, where he completed a General Surgery residency at the University of Louisville and a Plastic Surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He then completed a Hand Surgery and Microsurgery fellowship at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute.
Dr. Netscher has had a lifelong professional career at Baylor College of Medicine, joining the faculty immediately upon completing his fellowship in 1990. He became involved in the Hand Surgery Fellowship early in his tenure at BCM and assumed the role of Fellowship Director in 2000, serving in that position for 24 years and training nearly 100 fellows. His graduates have gone on to serve as program directors, department chairs, and leaders within the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Association for Hand Surgery.
Throughout his career, Dr. Netscher has served as a Director of both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as on the Conjoint Hand Surgery Board. He has held leadership positions in the American Society of Peripheral Nerve and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and served for 10 years as Deputy Editor of the Journal of Hand Surgery. He currently serves as President-Elect of the Southern Medical Association, with his presidential term beginning in 2025.
Award Criteria and Selection
The recipient of the award is the fellow who has contributed most meaningfully to the body of knowledge in Hand Surgery and who has served as a teacher and mentor to residents and medical students during his or her fellowship year. The award is determined by vote of the core Hand Surgery faculty and is presented at the annual graduation ceremony.
Support This Award
Your gift directly funds the Netscher Award and helps ensure that BCM Hand Surgery graduates continue to lead the field and deliver the highest level of care to patients across the country and around the world.