Fellowship Programs

The CORE Institute (The Center for Orthopedic Research and Education) was founded to fulfill a vision of orthopedic excellence encompassing the entire spectrum of orthopedic and musculoskeletal sciences. Consistent with our mission, The CORE Institute delivers the highest level of healthcare, built upon a foundation of pioneering research, academics, community service, and a passion for excellence in patient care and outcomes.

The CORE Institute has delivered orthopedic care through over a quarter of a million patient visits annually and sees patients from all fifty states and around the world. The CORE Institute has grown to over 150 providers and is home to several research facilities. Our documented, excellent patient outcomes are ensured by a unique and dedicated Quality Department, which sets benchmarks in orthopedic care through evidence-based medicine and standardized protocols managed through a custom, proprietary IT infrastructure.

Our fellowship programs are for candidates who are dedicated to learning the best orthopedic care and are motivated to deliver superior patient outcomes and strive to pioneer the future of orthopedic research. The organization also continues to be a leader in payor-reform initiatives and at the forefront of systems-based quality initiatives that drive value across health care organizations. For any questions please contact fellowships@thecoreinstitute.com

Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship

The 12-month Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship Program at The CORE Institute offers an emphasis on all the operative, clinical, and business aspects of foot and ankle surgery. The fellow will work with several fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeons. Our fellowship offers training in primary and revision total ankle arthroplasty, advanced forefoot and hindfoot reconstruction, trauma, arthroscopy, external fixation, and charcot reconstruction. The fellow will also be exposed to the day-to-day operations of one of the most dynamic orthopedic practices in the US. Enhanced clinical decision making and academics will play an important role in the fellow’s education. A large variety of research opportunities will be available, with two mandatory publications. This fellowship is designed to further enhance one’s exposure to the highest tier of foot and ankle surgery.

Hip & Knee Reconstruction Fellowship

Hip and Knee Reconstruction Fellowship

This 12 month appointment will include hands-on experience with primary and revision arthroplasty of the hip and knee. The fellow will have exposure to several high-volume fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons. The fellow will become adept at computer navigation and robotic techniques, and state of the art minimally invasive exposures. There will be exposure to complex tumor and limb-sparing prostheses, as well as complex revisions for both the hip and knee, pelvic cages, and periacetabular osteotomy, by one of the world’s foremost hip and knee reconstructive surgeons. There will be extensive primary reconstruction experience as well. It will be expected that the fellow participate in at least one research project every six months and academic expectations include at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The fellow will present cases and topics at grand rounds during the course of the year. This fellowship is designed to prepare the serious, motivated candidate for the efficiencies necessary for a successful private practice or the academic rigors of an academic practice. There may be long term employment/partnership opportunities at The CORE Institute for exceptional fellows.

Interventional Spine/Pain Fellowship

This 12-month clinical fellowship has a primary emphasis on non-operative spine care and interventional pain medicine. The fellow will work with fellowship trained physicians currently practicing as part of a large, very busy, multidisciplinary group in Phoenix, Arizona. The fellow will become proficient in all interventional spine procedures including lumbar/thoracic/cervical epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy, sympathetic blocks, peripheral joint and nerve injections, spinal cord stimulator trials, dorsal root ganglion stimulator trials, spinal cord stimulator implants, disc stimulation procedures, and kyphoplasty. Comprehensive training in medication management, fluoroscopic and ultrasound guided injections, and electrodiagnostic will be an integral part of the fellowship. Fellows will have the opportunity to do elective rotations in orthopedic spine surgery and neuroradiology. A host of research opportunities will be available. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, fellows will be eligible to obtain board certification through the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Trauma Fellowship Program

The CORE Institute Trauma Fellowship is a 1-year program accredited by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA). The program is in partnership with faculty from the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix as well as Banner University Medical Center.

Trauma Faculty

Dr. Niloofar Dehghan
Program Director – CORE Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Program
Chief of Trauma – The CORE Institute

Dr. Michael McKee
Chair of Orthopaedics – University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix

Dr. Brock Walker
Banner University Medical Center

Operative Experience

The fellow spends about 4 days/week in the OR. The primary hospital is Banner University Medical Center, where the fellow spends the majority of their time. There is also opportunity to work at Banner Desert Medical Center, and the CORE Specialty Hospital.

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The Hand, Upper Extremity, & Microsurgical Fellowship

The Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microsurgical 12-month Fellowship in conjunction with the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix offers knowledge and training in the management of acute hand and upper extremity trauma, reconstructive upper extremity problems, congenital deformities, and all aspects of microsurgery including replantation, reconstructive surgery, free tissue transfers and microneuropathy. This program accepts two fellows to work with up to 13 faculty members with diverse expertise, including congential/pediatric hand surgery, shoulder /elbow surgery, and orthopaedic oncology. Routine weekly didactics are supplemented with quarterly visiting professorships, interdisciplinary rounds, cadaveric and microsurgery labs, and an annual research competition. Fellows may choose three months of elective time to concentrate on a particular discipline or include shoulder surgery into their curriculum. Unique to this program, fellows have an opportunity to travel abroad and work with internationally-renowned hand and upper extremity surgeons in Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, or the Czech Republic. They will be exposed to various treatment methods and philosophies, as well as different patient populations and medical systems. This program is ACGME-accredited and participates in the NRMP (“the Match”). These opportunities are open to graduates of ACGME-accredited residencies, or RCPSC-accredited or CFPC-accredited residency programs located in Canada in the fields of orthopaedic, plastic and general surgery. For more information, please contact Susan Redell, Program Coordinator, at 602-839-6608.

Physician Assistant Surgical Fellowship

The CORE Institute Physician Assistant Surgical Fellowship is a comprehensive 9- month program to provide experience in all aspects of orthopedic surgery under the supervision under fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons, residents, fellows and experienced physician assistants. The fellowship is designed to provide didactic education in concordance with the Banner University surgical residents and The CORE Institute Surgical Fellowship. Education will be provided in a clinical and surgical environment to cover pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative and conservative management of orthopedic patients. This fellowship is targeted toward both new graduates and practicing physician assistants looking to change specialties to increase knowledge and experience in the delivery of evidence-based high-quality orthopedic care. The CORE Institute offers exposure to: hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, joint replacement, sports medicine, fracture management, orthopedic traumatology, hand, wrist, complex articular cartilage restoration, musculoskeletal oncology, spine, foot & ankle reconstruction and pain management.