Fellowship in Hand Surgery

1. Completion of an approved residency in Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, or General Surgery.
2. A California medical license is required before starting the fellowship.
3. International medical graduates must meet California licensing requirements and provide a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate, where applicable.
4. Applicants must meet the institution’s medical education and visa requirements.

The UCLA Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Fellowship is a one-year, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited program jointly run by Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Fellows gain experience in hand trauma, reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, nerve injuries, congenital hand conditions, tendon transfers, and elective hand procedures. Training includes supervised clinical practice, teaching responsibilities, and research.

1. Apply through the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Online Fellowship Application Platform.
2. Submit four letters of recommendation, including one from the residency program chief and one from a hand surgeon familiar with your work.
3. Participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Hand Surgery Specialty Match.
4. Selected applicants are invited to Los Angeles for an interview, usually in late February or March.
5. The listed application deadline is December 15; confirm the current cycle’s deadline with the fellowship coordinator.