NASS-Recognized Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Fellowship

Fellowship Overview

Vanderbilt Health offers a unique opportunity to receive spine medicine graduate training through our North American Spine Society recognized (NASS) fellowship program. At Vanderbilt, you will have the chance to work with some of the country's best spine medicine physiatrists, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic spine surgeons, anesthesiologists and therapists. Vanderbilt University Hospital is ranked in six adult specialities by U.S News & World Report and ranked no. 1 in Tennessee. We offer experiences in a top-tier academic facility with diverse patient populations, state-of-the art technology, cutting-edge research and outstanding faculty.

Our comprehensive training focuses on evaluation and treatment throughout the disease continuum, including physical examination, imaging interpretation, therapy and medicine prescriptions, surgical evaluations, spine wellness and extensive training in interventional spine procedures, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions all taught in accordance with Spine Intervention Society principles. Opportunities also exist at the Osher Center for Integrative health and the Dayani Center for Health and Wellness.

  • The goal of Vanderbilt's PM&R Spine and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship is to train the future thought leaders in the field. To do so we offer an in-depth training in spine medicine, with a focus on interventional procedures and the research behind them. Scholarly activity is expected and supported. Fellows are active participants in clinical research and writing.

    Fellows participate in resident teaching to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center PM&R residency, weekly rounds, joint surgical/medical conferences and spine research meetings.

    • Procedures and Proficiencies 
      • Fluoroscopically-Guided Procedures, including: Epidural Steroid Injections (Transforaminal and interlaminar in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions)
      • Sacroiliac Joint Injections
      • Medial Branch Blocks and facet joint injections (in all spine regions, including advanced procedures such as AA joint injections)
      • Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medical Branch Nerves
      • Intra-Articular Hip Joint Injections
      • EMGs/NCS
      • Clinical assessment of patients with spine conditions
      • Medical management of patients with spine conditions
      • Independent evaluation of X-ray and MRI imaging
         
    • Research/Publication Obligation: Yes
       
    • Approximate percentage of exposure to the Spine by region:
      • Cervical: 30% 
      • Thoracic: 10% 
      • Lumbar: 60%
         
    • Approximate percentage of Fellowship exposure to the Spine by diagnostic category: 
      • Degenerative: 45% 
      • Trauma: 10%
      • Deformity: 15% 
      • Tumor: 5%
      • Pediatric: 5%
      • Other 20%

  • Applications are submitted for Fellowships through the NASS ISMM Fellowship website.  

    All applications must include: 

    • NASS application form
    • Curriculum vitae
    • Personal statement
    • Three letters of recommendation

    Application Submission Deadline: April 1

    Interview Dates: TBA

    Questions?

    Contact:

  • 2019-2020: Eric Sturos, MD
    2020-2021: David Sherwood, MD
    2020-2021: Oksana Zhivotenko, DO
    2021-2022: Augustine Lee, MD
    2021-2022: Peter Yeh, MD
    2022-2023: Taylor Riden, DO
    2022-2023: Richard Rosales, MD
    2023-2024: Emma Rickles, MD
    2023-2024: William Summers, MD
    2024-2025: Jonathan "JP" Presley, MD
    2024-2025: Jakob Dovgan, MD
    2025-2026: Jihong Min, MD
    2025-2026: Megan Machek, MD
    2026-2027: Carsen Cash, MD