Faculty / program leadership: Theodore (Ted) Choma · Division Director of Spine Surgery)
Profile completeness92%
Comprehensive · Source does not publish application deadline, commencement date
DECISION SUMMARY
Key facts at a glance
Eligibility
International route mentioned
Funding
MU GME 2026–2027 PGY-6 salary $83,768 per year (GME pay scale). NASS lists $83,000 (PGY-6 level) plus benefits.
Deadline
Not published
Duration
One year (the programme page refers to the fellowship year; NASS lists the stipend at the PGY-6 level)
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Clinical exposureComplex degenerative and trauma cases, spinal deformity and minimally invasive surgery, with the spine team performing about 600 cases a year (page: cervical 30%, thoracic 10%, lumbar 60%; degenerative 60%, trauma 20%, deformity 15%, tumour 5%). Fellows spend 3½–4 days a week in the operating room and 1–1½ days in clinic, take primary call with the spine attending as back-up (no in-house call), and may take primary faculty trauma call. NASS adds elective pediatric scoliosis and non-operative injection exposure at University Hospital, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and Harry S. Truman VAMC.
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
Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and must hold a permanent Missouri medical license before starting. No visa sponsorship is described.
?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
Permanent Missouri medical license (Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, 573-751-0098), BNDD and DEA. NASS: the license must be obtained before the fellowship begins.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
Must be eligible to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not mentioned.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY72% of core application fields verifiedChecked 3 Oct 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-01
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ benefits✓ eligibility✓ international eligibility✓ registration✓ visa / work authorisation✓ application process✓ application portal✓ faculty✓ verified faculty photograph✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— positions · official sources conflict— commencement / intake · not published by the cited official source— Funding information not published · official sources conflict— accommodation / relocation · queued for source review— Language requirement not published · queued for source review— Current deadline not yet published · historical evidence only— required documents · not published by the cited official source— official contact · official sources conflict
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadlineNo current deadline published in the cited evidence
Commencing dateIntake date not published
Application route / cycleSpine Fellowship Match administered by SF Match through the Central Application Service; early applications encouraged. Interview dates for the current cycle are not published (NASS lists December 2024 and March 2025, in person, virtual by special arrangement).
Completed orthopaedic surgery residency training (PGY-4 orthopaedic residents are encouraged to apply)
Eligible to work in the United States
Permanent Missouri medical license, plus Missouri BNDD and DEA registration
Fellows are appointed as clinical instructors on the Orthopaedic Surgery faculty
Application documents
SF Match Central Application Service registration and application
The required documents named by SF Match (the programme page does not list them)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
A one-year AO Spine–sponsored orthopaedic spine fellowship with broad exposure to degenerative, trauma, deformity and MIS surgery, about 600 spine cases a year, and the goal of a manuscript by year end.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Choice of medical, dental, vision, prescription and life insurance plans, with optional disability, AD&D and family cover; professional liability insurance through the University Self-Insurance Fund; vacation, sick, educational, parental, bereavement, military and interview leave; voluntary retirement plans; meals, lab coats and scrubs; life-support course fees; Employee Assistance Program (MU GME salaries and benefits page). As an AO Spine fellowship site, the fellow attends the AO Spine Fellows Cadaver Course (fall) and the Banff Research Forum (spring).
HOST INSTITUTION
About University of Missouri School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
The University of Missouri Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is based at University Hospital and the 115,500-sq-ft Missouri Orthopaedic Institute (nine ORs, 40 inpatient beds) in Columbia, Missouri.
