PM&R Spine Medicine Fellowship

UCLA PM&R Spine Medicine Fellowship

Overview

The PM&R Spine Medicine Fellowship is designed to train physicians with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to spinal disorders and their management. 

Each fellow completing the Spine Medicine Fellowship will have worked alongside a multidisciplinary team that includes Physiatrists, Anesthesiologists, Neurologists, Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic Spine Surgeons, Physical Therapists, and Psychologists in obtaining expertise in Spine Medicine. This will include the prescription of physical therapy/modalities, use of opioid and adjuvant medications, electrodiagnostic medicine, and bracing.  Substantial training in interventional spine procedures at all spinal levels and minor surgical procedures ( Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, and Spinal Cord and Peripheral Stimulators) will also be emphasized.  In addition to general musculoskeletal and spine disorders, there will be exposure to cervicogenic headaches, facial pain, cancer pain, vertebral compression fractures, and scoliosis. The spine fellow will also be responsible for the coordination of patient care between various services and assist in the education of PM&R residents and medical students from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

The goals and objectives of the Spine Management Fellow are:

1. To gain the fundamental knowledge base required for the practice of comprehensive Spine Medicine.
2. To acquire the skills of patient assessment necessary for the provision of optimal treatment plans.
3. To gain sufficient skill and judgment on the appropriate use and application of various spine management interventions considered standard-of-care.
4. To gain an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of spine management, and to be able to coordinate and function in a collaborative fashion with other healthcare professionals.
5. To gain competency in the management of medications, modalities, therapies, and psychological support relating to spinal disorders.

Faculty

• Jae H. Jung, MD (Fellowship Director)
• David. E. Fish, MD, MPH
• Allen S. Chen, MD  

Training Institutions

• UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Orthopaedic Institute
• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

How to Apply

Required documents include

• Current CV
• Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation (3) – one must be from Program Director
• Medical School Dean’s Letter
• Medical School Transcripts
• Medical School Diploma
• USMLE/NBOME Score Reports (Steps 1, 2, & 3)

Optional documents include

• SAE-R Score Reports
• Photograph

Application Form

• Download Application Form (PDF)

Application Deadline

• July 1st

Training Dates

• One full year from August 1st  to July 31st

Applications can be mailed to:

The UCLA PM&R Spine Fellowship Program 
ATTN: Monica Nget 
1250 16th Street, Suite 3120
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Interview Dates

• Interviews are generally held between July and August

Contact Information

Monica Nget

Tel: 424-259-9871
Fax: 424-259-6991
pmrspinefellowship@mednet.ucla.edu