Advanced clinical training in multidisciplinary spine care at the Spine Institute of Arizona in Scottsdale.

Spine Surgery Fellowship Program

Fellowship Overview

Based in Scottsdale, the Spine Institute of Arizona’s Advanced Clinical Experience (Fellowship) in Spine Surgery provides in-depth exposure to a wide range of spinal disorders and treatment techniques, including both surgical and non-surgical care.

Fellows develop not only technical surgical expertise, but also the clinical judgment required to properly evaluate patients, determine appropriate treatment pathways, and manage post-operative recovery.

Program Details

Although the Spine Institute of Arizona is known for its involvement in the development of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, fellows are exposed to a full spectrum of surgical approaches.
Training includes experience with:
• Minimally invasive spine procedures
• Traditional open surgical techniques
• Orthopedic and neurosurgical spine procedures
• Complex deformity cases
• Revision spine surgeries
Fellows rotate through clinic and surgery with Spine Institute surgeons:
- Dr. Edward Dohring
- Dr. Paul Gause
- Dr. Kevin Burns
- Dr. Michael Conti Mica
The fellowship also emphasizes comprehensive spine care beyond surgery.
Fellows spend time with specialists across several disciplines including:
- Pain management with Dr. Allan Rowley
- EMG/NCV diagnostics with Dr. Vibhooti Dave
- Chiropractic and physiotherapy with Dr. Brock Auten
These rotations provide experience in evaluating and treating patients using conservative and interventional techniques.
Fellows actively participate in a variety of educational activities including:
• Didactic lectures
• Clinical case presentations
• Pre-operative conferences
• Journal article reviews
• Teaching medical students and residents when present
Fellows are responsible for presenting cases and participating in ongoing clinical discussions that support collaborative learning.
Beyond clinical training, the fellowship also prepares physicians for the realities of spine practice. Fellows gain exposure to important aspects of building and managing a successful practice including:
• Patient selection and treatment planning
• Medical-legal documentation
• Billing and collections
• Contracting and practice management
• Second opinion and medical-legal case review
Optional attendance at external spine conferences and courses is encouraged and supported by the Institute.
The Spine Institute of Arizona fellowship offers a unique multidisciplinary environment, bringing together experts in:
- Orthopedic Spine Surgery
- Pain Management
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Chiropractic Care
- Physical Therapy
The program is designed to prepare fellows for successful community and private spine practice, emphasizing both technical excellence and strong clinical decision-making.