Entry requirements published; check international conditions
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
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.
Participation levelClinical participation and hands-on restrictions must be confirmed directly with the host.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
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.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Clinical or combined training pathway; exact duties remain appointment-specific. 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.
—Not published
Language
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.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY93% of core application fields verifiedChecked 23 Sep 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-03-22
✓ 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
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
Application documents
Published by official source
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
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.
Intended for: Graduates of eligible general surgery, orthopaedic surgery or plastic surgery residency programmes applying to the ACGME hand fellowship match
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.
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.
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.
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