The new AOSpine Fellows Alumni group was officially launched in Milan at the Global Spine Congress. Lead by Emre Acaroglu (Champion of the Fellowship Task Force) and Harry Gebhard (current Chairperson of the Fellows Alumni Steering Board), the group celebrated its inauguration with two members-only sessions, one on research and one on leadership, as well as a social event that was held in the evening for all past fellows to network with each other.

 

Future plans are already taking shape to allow this special group to meet in a social setting at the next Global Spine Congress and the Fellows Alumni Steering Board is considering what other educational opportunities we can offer to AOSpine past fellows. This group is still in its infancy and we encourage all Past Fellows to join to ensure the success of this venture.

 

"My fellowship - One of the best times of my life and an incredible learning experience"

 

Harry Gebhard, current Chairperson of the Fellows Alumni Steering Board, did his AOSpine fellowship with Roger Härtl at the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York in 2009. For him it was a valuable experience, which is still inspiring his career as a spine The AOSpine fellowship is unique in its character. AOSpine is the only spine organization worldwide that offers truly international fellowship opportunities to spine surgeons in a sustainable manner. The time in New York was a fantastic learning experience for me that in many aspects has lasted until today.Harry Gebhardsurgeon today. He describes his AOSpine fellowship as an incredibly productive and effective time period. Amongst other projects, he has worked on a research project, which is currently in the final stage of being patented. He commented: "The AOSpine fellowship is unique in its character. AOSpine is the only spine organization worldwide that offers truly international fellowship opportunities to spine surgeons in a sustainable manner. The time in New York was a fantastic learning experience for me that in many aspects has lasted until today. Also, the fellowship has given me the opportunity to connect and build friendships with people from all over the world. Through my work for the alumni group I would like to help creating a sustainable network of Past Fellows who share the same ambitions and values."

 

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AOSpine Past Fellows Members-Only Session on leadership (from left to right): Fellows Alumni Steering Board members Emre Acaroglu and Harry Gebhard, AOSpin past Chairpersons Jeff Wang, Max Aebi, Luiz Vialle and John Webb

 

AOSpine Fellowships – globally standardized and beyond face value

Emre Acaroglu commented: "Fellowships are not new to AOSpine, but they have changed in character over the years. We now have established a globally standardized process where fellows are trained by designated ‘spine centers’ which are like diplomats for AOSpine, training surgeons on our behalf. The result is that surgeons across the world are now judged by standardized criteria. Also, we have developed fellowships beyond their face value. For instance, if you’re a graduate of a highly esteemed university that’s not just about the education you received; it’s also a status symbol you carry throughout your life. We wanted to do the same thing, so we established AOSpine Alumni Association as a club that has access to benefits and incentives, in turn becoming ambassadors for the organization. We believe this process of monitoring and standardization will improve the quality of AOSpine fellowships overall, and create within AOSpine a kind of non-government organization that will contribute to decision-making."

 

When asked about his own AOSpine education experience, he stated:

"I am indebted to AOSpine for transforming me from a surgeon into a real educator. I still remember attending my very first AO training for faculty post. My mind was blown that day. I decided at that very moment that I wanted to be an educator."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fellow Activities at the Global Spine Congress – new opportunities and contacts

The AOSpine Fellowship activities at the Global Spine Congress already provided great opportunities on-site to the participants.

 

Ernesto Cabrera-Aldana (Mexico) presented his idea to create the first 'Video Atlas of spine surgery' at the Members-only Session and said: "Our meeting in Milan was wonderful with plenty of enriching comments coming from experts. After the session, I met many people interested in my project and I could establish contact with them."

 

As a result of the social activities, several fellows are arranging to visit each other at their centers. One fellow is arranging a short observership at Queens Medical Center in Nottingham under the supervision of Michael Grevitt, Chairperson of AOSpine Education Commission who was also present at the reception.

 

Stay in touch with your colleagues  and join the AOSpine Fellows Facebook Group!

All those who have been AOSpine Fellows in the past are automatically part of this alumni group. If you are a past fellow please join our Facebook Group to get in touch with colleagues from around the world.