✓ Primary programme source linked✓ Dated source review current✓ Current cycle evidenced✓ Faculty identity sourced✓ Institution mark verified
DECISION SUMMARY
What matters before you keep reading.
Eligibility
International route mentioned
Funding
Duke orthopaedic fellows are paid on the PGY-6 scale. The currently published FY27 rate is USD 86,292; the 2028–2029 appointment amount is not yet published.
Deadline
15 November 2026 for the current 2028–2029 recruitment cycle
Duration
1 year (1 August to 31 July)
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Last checked
1 Sep 2026
Duration · published1 year (1 August to 31 July)
Clinical exposureAcute and reconstructive hand and upper-extremity surgery, microvascular emergencies and replantation, congenital upper-limb deformity, adult and paediatric brachial-plexus and peripheral-nerve injury, free-tissue transfer, tumour care, weekly skills education and a required research project.
Funding · publishedDuke orthopaedic fellows are paid on the PGY-6 scale. The currently published FY27 rate is USD 86,292; the 2028–2029 appointment amount is not yet published.
DestinationUnited States
Participation levelClinical participation and hands-on restrictions must be confirmed directly with the host.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
What the official evidence currently supports
Decision-critical fields are separated into confirmed facts, partial information and points requiring direct confirmation.
≈Partially published
International applicant eligibility
The routine eligibility route requires ACGME, AOA or RCPSC residency training. ACGME rules may permit an exceptionally qualified applicant after institutional GMEC approval, but the programme does not publish this as a guaranteed route for Indonesian-trained surgeons.
✓Published by official source
Required training level
Completion of an ACGME-, AOA- or RCPSC-accredited general, orthopaedic or plastic-surgery programme · Completion of ACGME, ACGME International, RCPSC or CFPC residency requirements for the standard ACGME appointment route, subject to the stated exceptional-applicant process · Passing all three USMLE or COMLEX steps within three attempts
✓Published by official source
Programme classification
Clinical or combined training pathway; exact duties remain appointment-specific.
?Confirm directly with host
Hands-on restrictions
Hands-on participation and operative restrictions are not explicitly published.
≈Partially published
Medical registration
Duke requires all three USMLE or COMLEX steps to have been passed within three attempts for North Carolina resident-training licensure and employment eligibility.
?Confirm directly with host
Licensing examinations
Any examination requirement must be confirmed with the relevant regulator and host.
✓Published by official source
Language requirements
No standalone English-test score is published. Selection includes communication skills, and foreign medical graduates require a valid ECFMG certificate.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
A valid current ECFMG certificate is required for foreign medical graduates. Duke publishes J-1 Clinical House Staff sponsorship for this ACGME fellowship and does not sponsor H-1B visas.
✓Published by official source
Funding availability
Duke orthopaedic fellows are paid on the PGY-6 scale. The currently published FY27 rate is USD 86,292; the 2028–2029 appointment amount is not yet published.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY
93% of core application fields verified
Checked 1 Sep 2026. Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-02-28. Every unresolved field keeps its exact evidence state—unpublished, not yet researched, historical, conflicting, inaccessible or not applicable—so an absence is never converted into a fact.
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ positions✓ commencement / intake✓ funding✓ benefits✓ eligibility✓ international eligibility✓ registration✓ visa / work authorisation✓ deadline✓ application process✓ required documents✓ application portal✓ official contact✓ faculty✓ verified faculty photograph✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— accommodation / relocation · not published by the cited official source— Language requirement not published · not published by the cited official source
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadline15 November 2026 for the current 2028–2029 recruitment cycle
Commencing date1 August 2028 for the current 2028–2029 recruitment cycle; the fellowship runs through 31 July 2029
Application route / cycleCurrent Duke at-a-glance recruitment for 2028–2029 through the ASSH application pathway
Official contactCheryl DePaolis · Fellowship Program Coordinator; Wendy Thompson · Senior Program Coordinator919-684-0536 / 919-684-3170
Deadlines and intake dates can change between cycles. The data-quality ledger above explicitly labels application fields that the cited official source does not publish.
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
Published entry requirements
Clinical / academic eligibility
Completion of an ACGME-, AOA- or RCPSC-accredited general, orthopaedic or plastic-surgery programme
Completion of ACGME, ACGME International, RCPSC or CFPC residency requirements for the standard ACGME appointment route, subject to the stated exceptional-applicant process
Passing all three USMLE or COMLEX steps within three attempts
Registration, licence & examinations
Duke requires all three USMLE or COMLEX steps to have been passed within three attempts for North Carolina resident-training licensure and employment eligibility.
Visa / work authorisation
A valid current ECFMG certificate is required for foreign medical graduates. Duke publishes J-1 Clinical House Staff sponsorship for this ACGME fellowship and does not sponsor H-1B visas.
Application documents
ASSH Universal Hand Application
Brief personal statement
Photograph
Curriculum vitae
Publication and presentation list
Hobbies list
USMLE or COMLEX transcript for all three steps
Three recommendation letters, including one from the chair or programme director
Medical-school transcript
ECFMG certificate when applicable
Licensing, visa and document rules depend on the individual programme and application cycle. OrthoFellow does not infer USMLE, AHPRA, ECFMG, recommendation-letter or visa requirements from the country alone.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
A three-position ACGME Duke hand, upper-extremity and microvascular fellowship recruiting for August 2028. Eligible foreign graduates require ECFMG certification and use the J-1 route; compensation is PGY-6 based, while housing and a standalone English-test score are not published.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Hand and microvascular research laboratory, fresh-cadaver laboratory with microscopes, weekly conferences, monthly journal club, two-month faculty rotations and progressive supervised responsibility.
Benefits may depend on appointment type, training level, visa status and the active academic year. OrthoFellow keeps stipend and benefits separate so a salary figure is not mistaken for the full package.
ACCOMMODATION & RELOCATION
Published housing information
✓ Official source mentions accommodation
⌂
Duke does not publish programme-provided housing, a housing allowance or relocation support for the Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship.
Housing availability, rent, deposits, utilities and relocation support can change by intake and appointment type. OrthoFellow does not estimate living costs unless an official source publishes them.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Duke University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Duke publishes three ACGME hand fellows, nine associated faculty, dedicated hand and microvascular emergency call, research and J-1 sponsorship for eligible foreign graduates. Current at-a-glance recruitment is for 2028–2029.
Program Training DirectorOfficial profile & photo verified
Current position
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Vice Chair of Faculty; Program Director, Hand Fellowships
Affiliation
Duke University
Clinical focus
Hand, wrist, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Marc J. Richard is listed in the cited programme evidence as program training director for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand, wrist, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Marc J. Richard is listed by the official programme source as program training director. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Virginia Flowers Baker Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Division Chief
Affiliation
Duke University
Clinical focus
Hand, wrist and upper-extremity surgery
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
David S. Ruch is listed in the cited programme evidence as associated faculty for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand, wrist and upper-extremity surgery. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
David S. Ruch is listed by the official programme source as associated faculty. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Suhail K. Mithani is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Suhail K. Mithani is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Warren C. Hammert is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Warren C. Hammert is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Tyler Pidgeon is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Tyler Pidgeon is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Christopher Klifto is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Christopher Klifto is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Neill Y. Li is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Neill Y. Li is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Yaw Boachie-Adjei is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Yaw Boachie-Adjei is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Linda Cendales is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Linda Cendales is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice
Qualifications
Not published on the cited profile
Eliana Saltzman is listed in the cited programme evidence as teaching faculty / co-leadership for Duke Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery Fellowship. The verified individual profile describes a focus in Hand & Microsurgery training and clinical practice. This association does not by itself confirm personal supervision, operative privileges or availability for a future intake.
Eliana Saltzman is listed by the official programme source as teaching faculty / co-leadership. A separate individual short CV has not yet been verified by OrthoFellow.
Names and fellowship roles come from the cited programme source. A green “individual profile verified” label means the position, qualifications and biography were also checked against an official personal or institutional profile. OrthoFellow displays a portrait only when it can be tied to an official profile or faculty source; otherwise the host institution brandmark is shown, with initials retained only when neither image is available. Faculty rosters may change.
PROGRAM HISTORY
Published fellowship history
Duke's current at-a-glance table places the Hand fellowship in the 2028–2029 recruitment cycle with a 15 November 2026 deadline, superseding the older 2027–2028 and 15 December wording still visible on the individual page. Housing and a separate English-test score are not published.
APPLICANT PROFILE
Graduates of eligible general surgery, orthopaedic surgery or plastic surgery residency programmes applying to the ACGME hand fellowship match
◎
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Published international eligibility information
The routine eligibility route requires ACGME, AOA or RCPSC residency training. ACGME rules may permit an exceptionally qualified applicant after institutional GMEC approval, but the programme does not publish this as a guaranteed route for Indonesian-trained surgeons.
This note is shown only when the official source publishes information relevant to overseas applicants. Applicants should confirm licensing and visa eligibility directly with the host.
