25PC405 - Preparing for Fellowship

Description As our knowledge and understanding of foot and ankle surgery expands and as new technologies and techniques continue to both develop and evolve there is a need for continued evolution in surgical training. The "ACFAS Fellowship Initiative" was a strategic undertaking championed by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons beginning in 2010, with the primary goal of fostering environments of advanced training in foot and ankle surgery by establishing strict criteria for specialized post-residency training. Since 2010, there have been numerous additional fellowship programs that have added to an already flourishing post-graduate training environment. To date, there are more than 65 foot and ankle fellowships with ACFAS status, and many other programs applying for status each year. We look to the future of advanced training in foot and ankle surgery with cautious optimism, as the evolution of fellowship training presents its own unique set of benefits and challenges. Our panel will discuss the evolution of foot and ankle fellowship training, specifically since the initiation of the College's 'Fellowship Recognition Initiative'. The panel will provide a review of the evolution of fellowship training as well as insight and carefully crafted opinions regarding the pros and cons of fellowship training and the fellowship initiative. Moderator Lauren Christie, DPM, AACFAS Panelists Christopher Berkelbach, DPM; John Kim DPM; Jacob Perkins, DPM