Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Deformity Fellowship

Latest Information

For the most current and comprehensive information about the Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Deformity Fellowship, please contact the program coordinator directly.

Program Coordinator: Melissa Lukehart | lukeml@upmc.edu

Program Overview

The Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Deformity Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh is designed to provide comprehensive training in all aspects of spine surgery, with particular emphasis on complex deformity correction and minimally invasive techniques. Our program is distinguished by faculty members who have unique dual training in both orthopedic and neurological surgery.

Key Program Features:

• AO Spine Accredited fellowship program
• 1 Year comprehensive training (July 1 - June 30)
• Faculty with dual training in orthopedic and neurological surgery
• Transition to practice experience
• Autonomous procedural proficiency upon completion

Conditions Treated

Spinal Deformity

• Congenital and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• Adult degenerative kyphoscoliosis
• Iatrogenic deformity
• Complex cervical deformity
• Reconstruction following oncologic resection

Spinal Disorders

• Degenerative conditions
• Tumors of the spine and spinal cord
• Spinal infection
• Congenital spinal disorders
• Spinal trauma
• Inflammatory disorders

Spinal Regions

• Craniocervical junction
• Cervical spine
• Thoracic spine
• Lumbar spine
• Sacral spine

Academic Spine

The fellowship offers a unique opportunity for AO Spine accreditation. The AO Spine Fellowship Program provides:

• Funded participation in Fellows Cadaver course
• Complications course attendance
• Banff Fellows Forum participation
• Global Spine Diploma Program and examination
• AO Spine Membership and access to North America academic opportunities
• Funded conference presentations for accepted research

Fellows are encouraged to engage nationally with the academic spine community through annual conferences including:

• AO Spine
• Spine Summit
• Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
• AANS, CNS, IMAST, CSRS, LSRS, ISASS, SMISS
• North American Spine Society

Translational Research

Flexible research time allows fellows to pursue their academic interests:

• Weekly fellow and resident spine working group conferences
• Prospective spine registry access for research studies
• Collaboration opportunities with University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine medical students and neurosurgery residents
• High-level team science exposure
• International Spine Study Group (ISSG) faculty membership
• American Spine Registry collaboration opportunities

Research Support:

• Young investigator grant opportunities through AO Spine, CSRS, LSRS, and Spine Summit
• Internal department Walter Copeland Fund for strong research proposals
• Preparation for independent studies and grant funding upon completion

Education Experience

Regular Educational Activities

• Spine case conferences with complex case discussions
• Didactic lectures for fellows and spine residents
• Core curriculum didactic lectures
• Preoperative conferences
• Journal club participation
• M&M conferences

Advanced Training Courses

• Regular cadaver courses for advanced techniques:
  • Lateral and prone lateral access
  • Endoscopic surgery
  • Robotic surgery
  • Advanced deformity corrections
• Neurosurgical cadaveric courses for additional education
• National fellow-centered courses with funding support
• External rotations or traveling fellowships with appropriate educational agendas

Teaching Responsibilities

Fellows are expected to participate in didactic training while teaching junior residents, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Surgical Techniques

Deformity Correction

• Open and MIS deformity correction
• Freehand, navigation, and power screw placement
• Lateral and prone lateral access (LLIF, OLIF, Lateral ALIF)
• Kyphoplasty

Minimally Invasive Techniques

• Endoscopic surgery
• Minimally invasive percutaneous and tubular surgery
• Robotics surgery
• Augmented reality assisted surgery

Advanced Procedures

• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Sacroiliac joint fixation (posterior and lateral approach)
• Arthroplasty

Faculty & Leadership

Fellowship Directors

• Nitin Agarwal, MD - Fellowship Director
• D. Kojo Hamilton, MD - Fellowship Director

Fellowship Faculty

• Nitin Agarwal, MD – Director, Minimally Invasive Spine and Robotics Surgery
• Edward Andrews, MD – Minimally Invasive Spine, Augmented Reality
• James Cushing Bayley, MD – Spinal Oncology, Peripheral Nerve
• Robert Bailey, MD – Minimally Invasive Spine, Robotic Spine
• Thomas J. Buell, MD – Complex Spine, Spinal Oncology
• David Fernandez Cabral, MD – Spine Trauma
• Peter C. Gerszten, MD – Spinal Stereotactic Radiosurgery
• D. Kojo Hamilton, MD – Chief and Director, Neurological Surgery Spine Services
• Kathryn Hoes, MD – Spine, Peripheral Nerve
• David Kaufman, MD – Degenerative Spine
• Vincent J. Miele, MD – Complex Spine, Sports Medicine
• John J. Moossy, MD – Pain, Peripheral Nerve
• David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD – Director, Neurotrauma and Spinal Deformity
• Martin Piaza, MD – Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery Spine

Fellowship Details

Program Information

• Length: 1 Year
• Dates: July 1 through June 30
• Funding: Research Funding and Moonlighting Opportunities Available
• Accreditation: AO Spine
• Attending Privileges: Clinical instructor in University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery

Training Institutions

• UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
• UPMC Presbyterian
• UPMC Shadyside
• UPMC Mercy
• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Special Features

• AO Spine Accreditation
• Faculty with AO Spine and Dual Orthopedic and Neurological Surgery Training
• Faculty with Professional Sports Team Affiliations
• Team Science Opportunities (ISSG, ASR)
• Funded Research Opportunities
• Funded Conferences and Presentations
• Clinical Research Coordinators and Fellows
• Transition to Practice Fellowship Paradigm

Current & Past Fellows

Current Fellow (2025-26)

• Zeeshan Qazi

Past AO Spine Fellows

• Ricardo Fernández-de Thomas – 2024-25
• James Mooney – 2024-25
• Gautam Nayar – 2024-25
• Manan Shah – 2023-24
• Roberta Sefcik – 2023-24

Past Spine Fellows

• Daniel Hafez – 2021-22
• Nima Alan – 2021-22
• Alp Ozpinar – 2021-22
• Daipaya Guha – 2020-21
• Nitin Agarwal – 2018-20
• Jason McGowan – 2018-19
• David Salvetti – 2017-19
• Luke Hnenny – 2017-18
• Christian Ricks – 2017-18
• Kourosh Tavanaiepour – 2016-17
• Zachary Tempel – 2014-16
• Hazem Mashaly – 2014-15
• Brian Bolinger – 2013-14

Application Requirements

The fellow is given attending privileges as a clinical instructor in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery. All fellows within Neurological Surgery must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligibility for work within the United States
• Permanent Pennsylvania medical license
• DEA license

Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• At least two reference letters

Application Timeline

• Fellowship typically fills three years in advance
• Interviews are held in April each year

Ready to Apply?

Join our prestigious Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Deformity Fellowship program and advance your career in spine surgery with world-class training and mentorship.

Contact Information

The UPMC neurosurgery spine fellowship is accredited by AO Spine. Applications should be directed to Melissa Lukehart. Additional inquiries should be directed to Nitin Agarwal, MD.

Program Coordinator

Melissa Lukehart
Email: lukeml@upmc.edu

Additional Inquiries

Nitin Agarwal, MD