As part of its efforts, the American Foundation of Lower Extremity Surgery and Research (AFLESR) provides fellows, residents, and students education through lectures, surgical training, cadaver labs, research opportunities, and community outreach/surgical missions.  The AFLESR fellowship is recognized with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).  There is no affiliation between AFLESR and New Mexico Bone and Joint Institute, Southern New Mexico Surgery Center, or any other facility or private practice. 

 AFLESR is committed to cultivating a surgeon who has the most advanced training and will succeed and be at the top of their field.  This advanced education will help the fellow transition into a multispecialty or orthopedics group following fellowship.  This is a progressive approach in which learning the business of medicine is also fostered and developed.

 Research is strongly encouraged and a publishable paper is required for fellowship graduation.

 Attendance at the ACFAS annual conference is mandatory. Participation at state and national scientific meetings may also be required based upon the program’s involvement. Other opportunities for lecturing, teaching, and instructing will also be available.

The fellows have access to foot, ankle, and leg surgery including arthroscopy, trauma, and reconstruction in the largest orthopedics group in Southern New Mexico.  Fellows take all foot, ankle, and leg calls from the tibial tuberosity to the toes. There is ample availability of ankle replacement, external fixation, Charcot reconstruction, pediatric cases, and other specialty surgeries as desired by the fellows.

Fellowship

What would the fellow’s duties be in the clinic and surgery?

Clinic– The fellows participate in practices that are not directly affiliated with AFLESR. Fellows start with 14-18 patients a day, then work into a full clinic in which the patients will be under your direct care and with our guidance as needed. There is no mandate on the number of patients seen in clinic.

Surgery– Fellows will have to review all the surgical cases for the week. There is a weekly surgery review conference to discuss all upcoming patients, cases, coding, implants, and options for surgeries performed that week. There maybe as many as 25 other doctors participating in the surgery review via electronic media and live participation. Residents and students are also encouraged to participate. Fellows actively participate in procedures with Dr. Anderson and Dr. Spencer. You may also see patients and operate independently as the primary surgeon. As you grow more confident in advanced skillsets, you will be given more independence.

 

Does the fellow take call? If so, how often? What does the call entail?

Yes, 10 days a month mandated, usually more. Call includes Alamogordo hospital and office call.  There is also limited call and inpatient management in Las Cruces.  If you have a situation that takes place, such as a dinner meeting, need to run out of town, conference, etc., we share call responsibilities.

 

What is the typical surgical case load?

10-35 surgical cases per week performed primarily with New Mexico Bone and Joint Surgeons. Previous fellows averaged between 500 – 1,200 cases per year, and more than 2,000 procedures. There is no mandate on case volume or case load.

How many fellows does AFLSER take?

Since 2017, AFLSER has been approved to have two surgery fellowship positions. We also have two research positions for undergraduate and graduate students.

 

If you are interested, please have the application and visit completed before September 1st preceding the summer the fellowship starts. We strongly recommend a 3 day visit between Monday and Wednesday.


The application consists of the ACFAS Standard Fellowship Application which includes:

  • Standard Application

  • Medical School Transcripts

  • Curriculum Vitae

  • 3 Letters of Recommendation

    -1 letter with a statement of good standing from your residency program director
    -2 from attending physicians

  • Current Professional Photo

The AFLESR board would also like:

  1. Letter of Interest

  2. Surgery logs from most recent 2 years of residency to date

  3. Usually a short visit (2-3 days) to the area to observe surgery and clinic which would be coordinated through JayTee Higgins – email her at jhiggins@newmexortho.com

FAQS