Foot and Ankle Fellowship
Program Details
Length of Training: One Year
Dates: August 1st through July 31st
Application Deadline: November 15; Early applications are encouraged
Affiliated Institutions: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Outpatient Orthopedic Center in Chesterfield
Clinical Faculty: Jeremy J. McCormick, MD, Director and Chief of Foot and Ankle Service; Andrew P. Thome, MD
Conditions We Treat
The Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Service at Washington University School of Medicine provides state-of-the-art care for all types of problems related to the foot and ankle, including but not limited to trauma of the foot and ankle, sports-related injuries, reconstruction of post-traumatic problems of the foot and ankle, foot deformities related to neuromuscular, arthritic and congenital conditions, tendon injuries of the hind foot and ankle, and foot complications of diabetes mellitus.
A more detailed listing of the depth and breadth of the foot problems treated by the Foot and Ankle Service includes:
- Sequelae of arthritis: ankle, hind foot and midfoot fusions, forefoot reconstructive procedures, comprehensive foot orthosis and bracing services by a certified pedorthist or orthotist.
- Arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine: treatment for sports-related bone, tendon and ligament problems of the hind foot and ankle, including ankle instability, Achilles' tendon problems, ankle and subtalar arthroscopy, and reconstructive surgery.
- Foot and ankle trauma: fractures of the ankle, calcaneus, talus, midfoot and forefoot, including complex bone and soft tissue injuries.
- Sequelae of trauma to the foot and ankle: fusions of the ankle, hind foot, midfoot and forefoot. Corrective osteotomies for deformity realignment using internal fixation or gradual correction with external fixation.
- Acquired problems: forefoot deformities, such as bunions, hammertoes, digital neuromas, heel pain, tendonitis, acquired flat foot deformity, and late effects of clubfoot.
- Neuromuscular disorders: treatment of foot deformities or paralysis associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, stroke, head injury and peripheral nerve injuries.
- Diabetic foot: a team approach provided in association with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Diabetic Foot Center, focusing on prevention, salvage options, amputations, pedorthic and orthotic management and state-of-the-art wound management. In addition to the orthopaedic surgeon, team members include podiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, advanced practice wound care specialists, cast technicians, certified pedorthists, certified orthotists, and certified prosthetists.
Alumni Feature
“My year in fellowship really helped me solidify skills and learn tips and tricks to take forward into my own practice. Not only are you seeing patients in the clinic, you’re also leading the charge in the operating room. This is where you start making high-level decisions.”
Brian Fisher, MD, WashU Ortho Foot and Ankle Fellow Alumni
Foot and Ankle Fellowship Program Mission Statement
The Washington University Foot and Ankle Fellowship program accredited by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Our mission is to develop capable and curious orthopedic foot and ankle specialists who leave this program well equipped (with knowledge and skills) to understand and respond to the challenges of providing exceptional foot and ankle care to patients in an ever changing healthcare environment.
Program Overview
The Foot and Ankle Service is located primarily on the main campus of the Washington University Medical Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital as well as at the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Outpatient Orthopedic Center in West St. Louis County. Surgery is performed both at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Center for Advanced Medicine and the Outpatient Orthopedic Center in Chesterfield on a weekly basis.
The Foot and Ankle Service performs approximately 900 surgical cases per year with about two-thirds of these procedures being either outpatient or less than 24 hour admissions. There are approximately 11,500 outpatient visits per year to the Foot and Ankle Service which represent approximately 3,000 new patients per year.
The Foot and Ankle Service is made up of two primary faculty members Jeremy J. McCormick, MD, and Andrew P. Thome, MD. A post-graduate Foot and Ankle Fellow, two orthopaedic residents, two nurse practitioners, an orthopaedic nurse coordinator with a large experience in both inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic nursing, and medical assistants round out the service. A certified pedorthist/orthotist (for foot orthosis, shoe or brace fabrication) is available in the office. A certified prosthetist (prosthetic fabrication) is available on an as-needed basis. This provides a "one-stop" visit for the patient to obtain comprehensive foot and ankle evaluations and treatment.
Some foot and ankle problems are initially screened and treated non-operatively by nurse practitioners or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with a special interest in foot and ankle problems. Referrals are then made to Drs. McCormick, Thome or nurse practitioners for either further evaluation or surgery, as appropriate.
Trauma call is paid at the same level as faculty, and one day per month is recommended.
Autonomy in clinical practice for the fellow is provided through a foot and ankle clinic managed by the fellow and the residents twice per month, with operative time for surgical cases from this clinic as needed.
Clinical Research
Research opportunities are available for basic science or clinical projects, and one paper of publishable quality is required. Research is facilitated by the clinical research core provided by the Department of Orthopaedics. PROMIS outcome data are collected on all patients.
How to Apply
Applications are available through the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Fellowship Match Program sponsored by AOFAS. For additional information, please contact:
Kelly Thies:
Phone: (314) 514-3569 | [email protected]
ATTN: Foot and Ankle Fellowship
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Washington University School of Medicine
14532 S. Outer Forty Drive, Suite 210
Chesterfield, MO 63017-5701