Visit-the-Expert Fellowship

For experienced surgeons, AO Trauma offers a different kind of fellowship, the Visit-the-Expert Fellowships.

The AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert Fellowships are for surgeons who are proficient in their special field of interest and would like to gain additional expertise by working closely with a particular expert for a short period of time. These fellowships offer an opportunity to learn from a master surgeon of your choice.

The fellowship needs not to be at an approved AO Trauma Fellowship Host Center, but the expert to be visited must be an AO faculty member. The fellow is expected to contact the host before applying.

AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert Fellowships have a duration of 2 to 4 weeks. Fellows receive a regular stipend, but all arrangements must be made by the fellow.


AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert Fellowship Program

The call for application is now open until June 2, 2024.

Apply here

“By completing an AO Trauma Fellowship you become part of the AO Trauma community, a worldwide network of orthopedic trauma surgeons.”

Samir Mehta, United States

Selection criteria

AO Trauma seeks to identify more experienced surgeons dedicating the main part of their practice to orthopedic trauma care. We want to help these surgeons deepen their understanding of fracture care and further develop their skills.

Selection criteria for AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert Fellowship

  • Previous participation in the AO Trauma Basic Principles and AO Trauma Advanced Principles courses; additional participation in AO Trauma Master level or AO Trauma specialty course(s)
  • Working knowledge of local language or English
  • Orthopedic trauma is the main part of practice
  • Active AO Trauma membership
  • Employment by a teaching hospital

Who selects AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert Fellows?

AO Trauma Visit-the-Expert fellows are selected in several steps in a process involving the country councils and the regional boards of each AO Trauma region.

  1. First, each application is reviewed and evaluated by members of the country council of the applicant’s country of work.
  2. Next, the application goes to the regional fellowship coordinator (RFC). In each of the five AO Trauma regions the regional board has appointed one senior surgeon as the RFC. The RFC makes the final decision.

Application process

The application requires the upload of supporting documentation. Please have these files ready for upload before you begin to fill in your application. (Accepted file formats are PDF, JPG, PNG, and GIF.)

You will need the following documents:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Copy of the AO Trauma Basic Principles, AO Trauma Advanced Principles and AO Trauma Master-level or specialty course/activity certificate(s)
  • Your chosen expert’s written confirmation of receipt of the application
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Copy of your medical school diploma
  • Copy of your passport
  • Submission of a photograph and/or evidence of vaccinations and your English language proficiency is optional.

Only complete applications will be considered.

More information

For further questions, please contact us at trauma@fellows.aofoundation.org.