High-volume training with close mentorship
The Vanderbilt Adult Reconstruction Fellowship combines substantial operative experience, meaningful exposure to complex primary and revision reconstruction, progressive responsibility, and close mentorship within a focused faculty group. The program is designed to develop technically versatile surgeons prepared for the clinical judgment, operative demands, and continuity of care required in adult reconstruction practice.
Two fellows train closely with three adult reconstruction surgeons throughout the year. This structure provides repeated experience with each faculty member, exposure to distinct surgical approaches and philosophies, and frequent opportunities for direct feedback and professional mentorship.
Vanderbilt Adult Reconstruction Fellowship
High-volume training. Complex reconstruction. Progressive independence. Close mentorship.
Vanderbilt’s one-year Adult Reconstruction Fellowship is designed to prepare surgeons for independent adult reconstruction practice through substantial operative experience, broad exposure to primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty, progressive responsibility, and close longitudinal mentorship.
| ~500 | 60 / 40 | 2 | Instructor |
| operative cases per fellow | primary vs. complex + revision | fellows per year | appointment |
Small fellowship. Substantial operative experience.
High operative volume. Fellows participate in approximately 500 operative cases during the year, creating repeated exposure across primary, complex primary, and revision reconstruction.
Complex reconstruction. Complex primary and revision procedures account for a substantial portion of the operative experience rather than serving primarily as observational cases.
Progressive responsibility. Clinical and operative responsibility increases as each fellow demonstrates readiness, with faculty guidance and oversight throughout the year.
Breadth of training. Fellows gain exposure to contemporary approaches, technologies, and surgical philosophies in hip and knee arthroplasty.
Close mentorship. Two fellows train with three adult reconstruction surgeons, supporting frequent faculty interaction, continuity, and individualized feedback.
Academic opportunity. Fellows can participate in clinically relevant research across arthroplasty, imaging, biomechanics, engineering, and emerging technologies.
Broad experience across primary, complex, and revision arthroplasty
The operative curriculum is designed to develop versatility in hip and knee reconstruction while giving fellows meaningful experience with both routine and technically demanding cases.
| HIP | KNEE |
|---|---|
| Primary and complex primary total hip arthroplasty | Primary and complex primary total knee arthroplasty |
| Direct anterior THA with J. Ryan Martin, Wes Mayes, and Courtney Baker | Revision total knee arthroplasty |
| Posterior THA with Wes Mayes and Courtney Baker | Bone-loss, instability, and infection reconstruction |
| Revision acetabular and femoral reconstruction | Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty |
| Periprosthetic fracture and infection management | Exposure to multiple alignment philosophies and enabling technologies |
From fellowship training toward independent practice
Fellows are appointed at the Instructor level and assume increasing responsibility as their knowledge, judgment, and technical skills develop. Progression is individualized and based on faculty assessment, patient needs, procedural complexity, and institutional standards.
Evaluate. Develop the preoperative assessment and define the clinical problem.
Plan. Formulate an operative strategy, anticipate alternatives, and review the plan with faculty.
Perform. Take increasing responsibility for primary, complex, and revision procedures with appropriate faculty oversight.
Manage. Participate in postoperative care, complication management, and longitudinal decision-making.
As the year progresses, fellows increasingly develop and execute their own operative plans with faculty oversight. The goal is graduated preparation for the judgment, technical demands, and continuity of care required in adult reconstruction practice.
Three surgeons. Close, longitudinal mentorship.
The small faculty group allows fellows to work repeatedly with each surgeon, observe different approaches to decision-making, and receive direct feedback across the year.
J. Ryan Martin, MD — Fellowship Director
As Fellowship Director, Dr. Martin oversees the program’s clinical and academic curriculum. Fellows train with him in direct anterior total hip arthroplasty as well as primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty, and may engage in work related to implant fixation, cementation, biomechanics, artificial intelligence, imaging, implant design, and surgical technology.
Wes Mayes, MD
Dr. Mayes performs both direct anterior and posterior total hip arthroplasty. Fellows work closely with him across his adult reconstruction practice, gaining another perspective on clinical evaluation, surgical planning, operative technique, and postoperative management.
Courtney Baker, MD
Dr. Baker performs both direct anterior and posterior total hip arthroplasty. Fellows work closely with him across his adult reconstruction practice. His clinical focus includes pediatric hip and knee arthroplasty as well as primary, complex primary, and revision hip and knee reconstruction, with emphasis on thoughtful case planning, operative execution, and longitudinal patient care.
Research and innovation connected to clinical practice
Fellows participate in clinically meaningful arthroplasty research and collaborate across Vanderbilt’s medical, engineering, imaging, and data-science resources. Faculty mentorship helps each fellow develop a focused project with a scope appropriate for the fellowship year.
- Clinical outcomes and large clinical datasets
- Implant fixation, cementation, and aseptic loosening
- Arthroplasty biomechanics and implant design
- Artificial intelligence, radiographic analysis, and surgical imaging
- Navigation, enabling technology, and operative workflow
- Periprosthetic joint infection and revision reconstruction
Fellowship in Action
Vanderbilt fellows train in a collaborative environment built around operative experience, close faculty relationships, and shared commitment to excellent patient care. The fellowship community extends beyond the operating room through mentorship, professional development, and lasting relationships.
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Where Fellows Go
Vanderbilt fellowship graduates pursue successful careers in both academic medicine and private practice. The program’s combination of operative volume, complex reconstruction, graduated responsibility, research opportunity, and close mentorship prepares fellows for a broad range of professional settings. Graduates join practices and institutions across the country and remain part of a fellowship community connected through shared training and enduring faculty relationships.
Live and train in Nashville
Nashville offers the restaurants, music, sports, outdoor recreation, and airport connectivity of a major city, while allowing many fellows to live within a short commute of the medical center. It is an appealing setting for an intensive year of clinical training and professional growth.
Application information
Vanderbilt offers a one-year, AAHKS-recognized Adult Reconstruction Fellowship with two positions per year and participates in the SF Match. Applications are submitted through the SF Match adult reconstruction fellowship process.
- One-year fellowship
- Two positions per year
- Instructor appointment
- AAHKS-recognized program
- Participation in the SF Match
For current application dates, interview information, eligibility requirements, and program contact information, visit the Vanderbilt Adult Reconstruction Fellowship webpage and SF Match.
Michael Esantsi, MD
Dr. Michael Esantsi is an Adult Reconstruction Fellow in the 2026–2027 class. He earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Tufts. At Vanderbilt, he is completing advanced training across primary, complex primary, and revision hip and knee arthroplasty.
Vanderbilt Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Alumni
Vanderbilt graduates have built careers in academic medicine and private practice across the country. Their current professional affiliations reflect the breadth of paths available after fellowship training.
Zachary Wuthrich, MD • Class of 2025–2026
Dr. Wuthrich practices with Vanderbilt Orthopaedics in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Nathaniel Williams, MD • Class of 2025–2026
Dr. Williams practices with WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Taurean Baynard, MD • Class of 2024–2025
Dr. Baynard practices with HonorHealth in Tempe, Arizona.
Allen Jack Barnes, MD • Class of 2024–2025
Dr. Barnes practices with Lexington Health in Lexington, South Carolina.
Courtney Baker, MD • Class of 2023–2024
Dr. Baker returned to Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a member of the adult reconstruction faculty in Nashville, Tennessee.
Bryce Biberstein, MD • Class of 2023–2024
Dr. Biberstein practices with Fort Wayne Orthopedics in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Elizabeth Klag, MD • Class of 2022–2023
Dr. Klag practices with Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Thomas Steck, MD • Class of 2022–2023
Dr. Steck practices with The Permanente Medical Group in Woodland Hills, California.
Charles Crellin, MD • Class of 2021–2022
Dr. Crellin practices with Ortho Montana in Billings, Montana.
Sanar Yokhana, MD • Class of 2021–2022
Dr. Yokhana practices with Ascension St. John in Detroit, Michigan.
Gerald Aggrey, MD • Class of 2020–2021
Dr. Aggrey practices with Hope Orthopedics in Salem, Oregon.
Michael Gabbard, MD • Class of 2019–2020
Dr. Gabbard practices with Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jonathan Lynch, MD • Class of 2018–2019
Dr. Lynch practices with Ortho Northeast in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
