Program Strengths, Needs and Plans
The Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship's strength is first and foremost its focused and committed faculty, the cornerstone of which is Alvin H. Crawford MD.
Dr. Crawford's 30-years-plus years of experience as a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and his strong leadership as an academician have made him a recognized authority in pediatric orthopaedics around the world.
Dr. Crawford's previous position as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, past-president of the Scoliosis Research Society, Past vice-president of the American Orthopaedic Association and as an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics reflects his continued and sincere commitment to the specialty.
Fellows benefit from Dr. Crawford's multiple areas of specialty interest which include:
- Traditional approaches to spinal deformity correction
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic spine surgery (VATS
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Neurofibromatosis
Over the last 10 years, Eric J. Wall, MD, has a strong interest in sports medicine, as well as the world of endoscopic surgery.
Dr. Wall serves as director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children's and has made multiple national Pediatric Sports Medicine presentations as an Instructional Course Lecturer for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Wall has also made important contributions to the world of endoscopic surgery through both his basic science research efforts in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and through his innovative creation of an endoscopic pelvic osteotomy technique.
Fellows benefit from Dr. Wall's areas of specialty interest, which include:
- Pediatric sports medicine
- Endoscopic pelvic surgery
- Orthopaedic basic science research
- Orthopaedic management of myelomeningocele
The last five years, Charles T. Mehlman, DO, MPH, has established himself in the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics and in pediatric orthopaedics, in general.
Dr. Mehlman has won national and international research awards. Dr. Mehlman is the director of Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research in the division of Orthopaedic Surgery.
He brings special expertise in Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research and Health Services Research to the fellowship through his training at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Fellows also benefit from Dr. Mehlman's areas of specialty interests, which include:
- Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research
- Management of pediatric limb deficiencies and bone tumors
- Pediatric orthopaedic trauma
- Arthroscopic surgery
In September of 2000, Twee Thi. Do, MD, became the newest member of the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics. Her experience includes pediatric trauma, spinal deformities, cerebral palsy, and adolescent sports medicine.
The programs other overwhelming strength is the institution: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The institution boasts the second busiest Children's Emergency Department in the country with over 84,762 visits in 2001 and the second busiest Pediatric Operating Room in the country with over 25,016 surgical procedures performed in 2001.
The Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics' contribution to these powerful statistics includes 1,244 surgical procedures and 24,120 outpatient clinic visits in 2001. The Institution's incredible commitment to patient care is matched only by its commitment to pediatric research, as it is the leading recipient of federal grant money among all children's hospitals.
In September of 2002, Junichi Tamai, MD, joined the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics. His interest includes spinal deformity, hip disorders, pediatric fractures and sports medicine.
Diane E. VonStein, MD, is the newest member of the team has a special interest in limb lengthening/deformity, pediatric hip, clubfoot and sports medicine.
Program Weaknesses
The program's main weakness is its tendency to shock the new fellow unaccustomed to such a rapid work pace and high, level of responsibility. Attempts to offset this include a structured orientation program and gradual increases in responsibility under appropriate supervision.
Goals for Future
Long-term goals for the program include expansion of its computer-based and interactive learning capabilities and further full-time faculty expansion as indicated, with plans for three additional attending physicians by fiscal year 2004, as well as the addition of a full-time director of research in fiscal year 2004.
