Orthopedic Fellowship
Why choose Children's?
Selecting a fellowship is a defining step in your surgical training. The Orthopedic Fellowship at Children’s offers a comprehensive, high-volume and academically rigorous experience designed to prepare fellows for careers in pediatric orthopedics. The fellowship was established at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in 1974 by Dr. Wood Lovell.
Comprehensive clinical training
The program provides extensive exposure to the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic conditions, including trauma, sports medicine, spine deformity, neuromuscular disorders, limb reconstruction, and complex hip pathology. Fellows are actively involved in both operative and non-operative management, ensuring a well-balanced and immersive clinical experience. With over 6,000 surgical procedures and 120,000 outpatient visits annually, fellows benefit from exceptional case diversity and volume. The program is accredited by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), reflecting its adherence to the highest standards in pediatric orthopedic education and training.
Two tracks
There are now two options to allow fellows to optimize their fellowship experience into the educational experience they are seeking.
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General Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship: Fellows participate in the entire gamut of pediatric orthopedics. They are expected to diversify their clinical and surgical exposure. They participate in a high volume trauma call once per week and one weekend monthly. Fellows also participate in their own independent clinic once every other week. Fellows are required to complete two research projects and a quality improvement project. They are paired with a research mentor based on their area of interest.
Our surgeons are involved in many national committees at POSNA, PRISM, SRS, LLRS, ACPOC and other well known and established pediatric subspecialty societies. Many are also involved in multi-center research databases. Surgeons matriculating the general track will be well trained for an academic and/or clinical career in pediatric orthopedic surgery.
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General Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship with a Spine Emphasis: Children's is recognized as one of the highest-volume pediatric spine centers in the country, performing more than 400 spine procedures annually. Fellows gain advanced experience in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, early onset scoliosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, and complex congenital and neuromuscular deformities. Training includes exposure to modern surgical techniques such as navigation-assisted and robotic spine surgery, as well as vertebral body tethering and interbody fusion procedures.
Fellows choosing this option will still gain exposure to general pediatric orthopedics, including trauma calls, but focus about 70% of their education in spinal surgery. They will also have their independent, general fellow clinic, every other week. They are anticipated to be in clinic one day per week. Two publishable spine projects by the end of the year are expected, along with a quality improvement project focused on spine.
Distinguished faculty and mentorship
Fellows train alongside a diverse, committed, and experienced team of 16 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Each surgeon contributes unique expertise and perspectives. Faculty members are actively engaged in national research collaboratives and have contributed to significant advancements in pediatric orthopedics. This environment fosters strong mentorship and professional development. Examples of some of our recent research can be found here.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University: A partnership of pediatric excellence
Children’s is one of the largest freestanding healthcare systems in the country. Emory is one of the nation’s leading research universities. Together, the two share a passion for pediatric innovation and advancements. In 1956, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children and Emory University first established a pediatric teaching relationship. This relationship has developed to facilitate leading-edge pediatric research, training and innovation.
Children’s and Emory University School of Medicine partner together on pediatric residency and fellowship training programs as well as the management and execution of clinical trials. Discoveries in Emory’s research laboratories are translated into lifesaving treatments at Children’s. Emory and Children’s share a unique employment agreement; more than 500 physicians hold titles at both independent institutions. Our partnership is now stronger than ever with nearly a decade of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding ranking in the top five nationally, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.
No. 9 in the Nation for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Children’s Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center ranks among the nation’s top 10 pediatric hospitals on the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Children’s Hospitals” for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The report ranks hospitals for excellence in outcomes, program structure and national reputation.
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Why Atlanta?
In addition to our unique neighboring pediatric partners, Atlanta is full of diverse communities, walkable neighborhoods, a thriving arts and culture scene, and plenty of green spaces and sunny weather—it’s pretty easy to fall in love with our charming city.
Make Atlanta HomeJill Flanagan, MD, FAAOS, Program Director
Orthopedic surgeons
- Jed Axelrod, MD
- Robert W. Bruce Jr., MD
- Michael T. Busch, MD
- Dennis P. Devito, MD
- Jorge A. Fabregas, MD
- Jill C. Flanagan, MD
- Nicholas D. Fletcher, MD
- Denver Kraft, MD
- Dell McLaughlin, MD
- Joshua Murphy, MD
- Dana Olszewski, MD, MPH
- Crystal Perkins, MD
- Michael L. Schmitz, MD
- Tim Schrader, MD
- S. Clifton Willimon, MD
Levi Buchan, MD
2026-27
Richard McEntee, MD
2026-27
Dorian Cohen, MD
2025-26
McCayn Familia, MD
2025-26
David Ge, MD
2024-25
Guillermo Marquez, MD
2024-25
Rachel Brandl, MD
2023-24
William Fravel, MD
2023-24
Alex DiBartola, MD
2022-23
Julia Fink, MD
2022-23
Alexandra D’Agostini, MD
2021-22
Jordan Vokes, MD
2021-22
Shaunette Davey, MD
2020-21
Jose Ramirez Gomez, MD
2020-21
Why Children's?
We manage one million patient visits annually at three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, Urgent Care Centers and neighborhood locations.
Learn moreThe fellowship emphasizes academic growth through structured didactics, case conferences, journal clubs and opportunities to attend national meetings. Fellows are expected to complete scholarly work, including two publishable research projects and a quality improvement initiative. This focus equips graduates with the skills necessary to critically evaluate literature and contribute meaningfully to the field. Your typical academic schedule will look like this:
Daily didactics start at 6:45 am
- Monday/Thursday: pre and post operative conference
- Tuesday: rotating subspecialty conference including sports, spine, complex hip, and hand
- Wednesday: rotating conference between radiology, fracture conference, attending didactic lectures, and morbidity and mortality conference
- Friday: monthly complex limb multidisciplinary conference
- Additional academic offerings include evening journal clubs, visiting professors, and surgical skills labs
Outpatient Clinics and Operating Room starts after conference
- Fellows typically attend clinic at either the Meridian Mark location or Center for Advanced Pediatrics clinic, but they are welcome to attend the other satellite clinics as well
- Operating rooms are in one of three locations – Arthur M Blank Hospital (trauma experience), Scottish Rite Hospital (inpatient and ambulatory surgery), and the Meridian Mark Surgery Center (ambulatory only)
- Fellows choose the surgical cases the week prior and are also in charge of assigning cases to the residents. While there is no specific rotations, the fellowship director will meet with you monthly to ensure you are experiencing the full array of pediatric orthopaedics.
Call
- Orthopaedic fellows take call at Arthur M Blank Children’s Hospital, Georgia’s only level one pediatric trauma center, providing exposure to both routine and highly complex cases. The program’s structure ensures progressive autonomy while maintaining strong faculty support in a collaborative setting. Call is from home, one weeknight weekly and one three-day weekend monthly. Residents take primary call, and you will always have faculty support.
Research
- Fellows are required to have two publishable projects at the end of their fellowship year along with a quality initiative project. Fellows are assigned a research mentor based on their interests and preferences. Children’s does have research assistance support along with statistical support.
Meeting Attendance
- Fellows are expected to go to both POSNA as well as IPOS. There are numerous other meetings and academic opportunities available, and there is a reasonable budget for travel for fellows to attend these courses.
Graduates of the program are well-prepared to enter academic or private practice settings with confidence. The fellowship emphasizes not only technical excellence but also leadership, teaching and lifelong learning—key attributes for success in modern healthcare systems.
Children’s offers a uniquely comprehensive fellowship experience defined by high clinical volume, subspecialty depth, academic rigor and strong mentorship. For candidates seeking to develop into highly skilled, academically engaged pediatric orthopedic surgeons, it represents an exceptional training environment.
Applications are due November 1. Please use SF Match to apply.
Applicants must be able to obtain a Georgia Medical License and must have attended residency within the United States. See state licensure requirements.
Sara Smith, Fellowship Coordinator
Email: sara.smith@choa.org
Contact Us Sara Smith