Spine Centers & Fellowships
Annual Report 2019
Spine Centers and Fellowships Officer's word

Fernando Alvarado
Fellowships Officer
Dear colleagues,
In 2019, I was chosen to the position of Spine centers and fellowships Officer, which is a great personal challenge, since it is one of the cornerstones of this organization, and has been led by very experienced people who managed to take it to the very highest level.
We have 14 training centers of the highest academic and welfare levels in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Mexico, but we continue to look for opportunities to further increase the number of centers in other areas and to share locations for rotation within the same country in order to benefit our members.
The International Observership Program, which began in Seattle, obtained a greater number of centers this year in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and England, in degenerative diseases, MISS, tumors, trauma and deformities.
One of our priorities is to draw near and maintain good communication with the spine centers so as to be more participative and take into consideration the suggestions presented in these places of learning, and thus improve our educational models more and more. These models will, in turn, be integrated with the already existing models of continuous education and research.
We carry on with the Fellowship, Short Term, Observership and Associate Fellow Programs. There are multiple options for our members to continue learning and sharing experiences that will benefit our medical practice and our patients.
Spine Centers
Our Spine Centers offer an opportunity to train surgeons with the principles, indications, planning, techniques, and complications in the areas of spine surgery performed at their center. We have providing a wide range of training opportunities for all spine pathologies. The AO Spine member can choose from a network of 14 spine centers in Latin America and more than 80 all over the world.
Fellowship Program
We invest heavily in fellowship programs and observation opportunities. Since 2011, we have trained almost 252 surgeons in our spine centers. The program provides additional experience in surgical techniques for fully trained orthopedic and neurosurgeons interested in spine surgery.
In 2019, we launched a new modality. The International Observerhip, a unique opportunity for surgeons to improve their experience in one specific technique or pathology. For a short period of time, the participant has the chance to learn and develop specific skills with some of the best world experts in the field of spinal disorders. Find below the available fellowship program options:
Short-term
Requirements
Be an AO Spine member for at least three years by the subscription deadline; Proof of language proficiency according to the chosen center; Orthopedic or Neurosurgery specialization; One-year experience in spine surgery.
Length
1, 2, 3 or 6 months.
Stipend
Financial support can be provided.
Enrollment
Usually opened from May to August.
Observerhip
Requirements
Be an AO Spine member for at least three years by the application date; Proof of language proficiency according to the chosen center; Orthopedic or Neurosurgery specialization; One-year experience in spine surgery.
Length
3, 7 or 15 days.
Stipend
No financial support is provided.
Enrollment
Opened all year.
Associate Fellow
Requirements
The candidate must be approved in the selection process of an AO Spine Center.
Length
12-24 months.
Stipend
No financial support is provided.
Enrollment
Opened all year.
International Observership
Requirements
Be an AO Spine member for at least three years by the application date; Proof of language proficiency according to the chosen center; Orthopedic or Neurosurgery specialization; One-year experience in spine surgery.
Length
1-4 weeks.
Stipend
Financial support can be provided.
Enrollment
Usually, opened from September to November, each year.
Total applications X Participations
2011–2020
