<back to Fellowships in Orthopaedic Surgery

Thanks very much for your interest in our Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship at Vanderbilt.

It is truly an exciting time here at Vanderbilt in Orthopaedic Trauma as we are building on the strong tradition established by previous Trauma Directors: Marc Swiontkowski (1985 to 1988) and Dr. Ken Johnson (1988 to 2001). By July, 2004 we will have a well-established group of 5 Orthopaedic Trauma Attendings in the setting of a strong academic institution, quality physical plant, large clinical volume and established clinical research program.

Faculty:

Philip J. Kregor, MD
Associate Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Chief - Division of Orthopaedic Trauma

William T. Obremskey, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Orthopaedic Trauma

Erika Mitchell, MD
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Orthopaedic Trauma

Marc Tressler, DO
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
Orthopaedic Trauma

Institution:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center was recently ranked 17th in the Country of academic medical center’s and as such has a plethora of strong clinic and research areas. The Medical Center is well served by a very strong General Surgery Trauma Unit under the direction of John Morris, MD. There are 2,750 trauma admissions per year, with 2000 helicopter flights per year. There are currently 3 helicopters, which provide hospital to hospital as well as accident scene to Vanderbilt. 82% of trauma admissions are from blunt trauma, and the annual growth of trauma admissions is 6% per year.

The operating room support for Orthopaedic Trauma is unparalleled. We have four elective days for post-traumatic reconstruction cases and we will have two dedicated operating rooms 7 days a week 7:30am until 11:00pm for dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma procedures. This allows us to perform only emergent or urgent cases between the hours of 11pm and 7 am.

Clinical Volume:
The Division of Orthopaedic Trauma performs approximately 1800 cases annually, and is growing at easily 10% per year. Often, these “cases” consist of multiple fracture fixations. The number of operative interventions per year includes 180 femoral shaft intramedullary nailings, 170 operative fixation of acetabular fractures, and the plethora of injuries that goes along with such cases.

Research:
The Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, under the leadership of William T. Obremskey, MD, MPH is actively involved in multiple randomized prospective clinical trials including:

• Operative vs Non-operative treatment of closed stable tibial shaft fractures (lead clinical site).
• Open reduction internal fixation vs. hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture’s.
• Long term clinical outcome of acetabular fractures (Database of 450 fractures by PJK).
• Multi-center randomized prospective study for treatment of distal femur fracture’s (lead clinical site).
• Reamed vs Unreamed Tibial Nailing

Robin Driver, RN:

Mrs. Driver serves as the clinical research coordinator and coordinates the activities, along with the faculty of a clinical research fellow and data entry clerk.

Environment:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a 651 bed hospital, which is adjacent to the Undergraduate University, sporting facilities and newly built Children’s Hospital. The entire Medical Center is enclosed in the same area. In October, 2003 the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery will begin occupancy in the state of the art Musculoskeletal Institute, which is directly adjacent to the Vanderbilt Hospital. This facility will house a clinical research area for Orthopaedic Trauma, administrative offices for the faculty and research team, the clinics and educational areas. It will streamline our clinical work, and make a very enjoyable place to work even better.

We thank you very much for your interest in the Division of Orthopaedic Trauma at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We are making great strides into developing the fellowship experience at Vanderbilt into a unique one. We will have two fellows per year and are committed into protecting 1 day per week for academic and/or research pursuits.

We would be delighted to have you visit us here at Vanderbilt if you would so desire. I know you will have many opportunities, but feel we have a very special opportunity here. I would also encourage you to visit our Department’s web site at: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/ortho/ so that you can learn of the spirit of excellence in which we practice.

Please respond via e-mail at philip.kregor@vanderbilt.edu.

Philip J. Kregor, MD
Fellowship Director, Division of Orthopaedic Trauma
Director, Division of Orthopaedic Trauma
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
Vanderbilt University Medical Center