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2023 Global Traveling Fellowships

Oyoo O. Were MBChB, MMed, IOC Dip Sp Phy - KENYA

I was privileged to be awarded the 2021 ISAKOS Global Travelling Fellowship. This came on my second attempt and found me just one year below the age limit of 45 years. When the 2021 Congress was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it looked like all was lost. However, we received an email reassuring us that it would happen in 2023 despite the age limit and this cleared the air for me.

Preparations for travel went well with the only hitch being a delay in getting a visa for Canada due to a long waiting list (average 589 days for Kenyans) and I finally got it on the last working day before date of travel.

I left Kenya on Friday, June 2, 2023 and met one of the other fellows, Dr. Saroj Rai, on transit in Germany. We arrived in London, Ontario on the third of June, welcomed by Drs. Alan Getgood, Richard Litchfield and the Fowler Kennedy team, despite a few travel hitches. I was able to complete a 46th birthday run on our first full day in London. This was followed by a rope course, ziplining and dinner hosted by Dr. Getgood.

The second day began with presentations, and I was privileged to do a presentation on complications of ACL surgery. The subsequent discussion was very informative for me. This was followed by operating room visits where we observed hip arthroscopy with resection of cam lesion, tibial tubercle osteotomies, MPFL reconstruction, trochleoplasty, distal femoral osteotomy and reconstruction of multiligament injured knee. We paid a visit to the research lab where we apprised on the ongoing Stability II study. I am eagerly waiting for the results of the study as I know it will have significant impact on my practice. That afternoon, we visited cadaver labs to further observe and practice surgery. On the last day, we had an early visit to the breathtaking Niagara Falls and Wayne Gretzky winery before leaving for Calgary.

At Canmore in Calgary, Dr. Laurie Hiemstra and her team received us. We visited the OR in Banff on the second day. Surgeries observed included tibial tubercle osteotomies, MPFL reconstruction and trochleoplasty. We also had insightful discussions on measurements used in assessing patellofemoral alignment including TT TG and TT PCL. We took a tour of Banff in the afternoon. On the second day, we visited the Banff Sports Medicine Clinic and were able to observe the approach to sports injury prevention and the rehabilitation processes. We were also briefed on the ongoing research and were given a presentation on patellofemoral disorders and current research. We toured Lakes Moraine, Louise and Minnawanke and took a drive to see some wildlife. We were then hosted for dinner by the Banff team. On the last day, we were able to join some staff at Banff for an "easy" run that turned out to be some taxing hill work before leaving for Stanford. During the run, we had a bird’s eye view of Canmore and were able to appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

At Stanford University, we were welcomed by Dr. Seth Sherman and started off with a tour of the University grounds. Later, we attended a live, San Jose Earthquake match at PayPal Park. This was the first social event before a trip to Monterey and Pebble Beach alongside the Monterey Aquarium and Cannery Row. We later visited the San Francisco suspension bridge and attended an Oakland Athletics baseball game at the Oakland Coliseum.

The operating room experience was quite educational as we observed hip arthroscopy with chondroplasty and capsular closure. We were also able to observe a revision of Roux Goldthwait procedure with TTO, MACI and MPFL reconstruction. There was also Dr. Safran’s grand round where our Godfather, Prof. Ponky Firer, presented the ‘big five” in relation to the stages of professional development and elaborating on the pearls and pitfalls. We had another paper review session where I was able to analyze a paper comparing clinical and MRI findings to arthroscopy findings in knee pathology.

Our last observation Centre was in Taos, New Mexico. We were warmly welcomed by Dr. Dan Guttman and his team. Surgical procedures observed included shoulder arthroscopy with subscapularis repair, sub pectoral biceps tenodesis and lower trapezius transfer. Other procedures included first stage revision ACL reconstruction using bone dowels and rotator cuff repair using a novel technique by Dr. Sean Marvil. We also had a cadaver lab session where I was able to practice arthroscopy procedures for shoulder instability. This was followed by a discussion session reviewing scientific papers on lateral extraarticular tenodesis and use of quadriceps autograph for ACL reconstruction. In addition to this, we experienced interesting sightseeing tours—starting with a visit to Taos pueblo where we learnt about the Tiwa people and were able to appreciate their history, culture and architecture. This was followed by a visit to the Rio Grande Canyon and the Earthship Community. We were then later treated to dinner by Dr. Guttman. On the morning of departure, I was able to do some high altitude running with a maximum elevation of 2173 meters above sea level before heading to Santa Fe for the flight to Boston.

We arrived at Logan Airport in Boston on June 17, ready for the Biennial ISAKOS Congress. Early next morning, there were instructional course lectures and registration. This was followed by the Presidential Speech and Presidential guest lecture by Dr. Paula Pareto. The speech by Dr. Pareto, an Olympic judo gold medalist and Orthopaedic surgeon was “How the ‘impossible’ becomes possible”—which was quite inspiring. She discussed her struggles including injuries and her path to winning an Olympic gold medal. She also emphasized the need for teamwork. The phrase I took home from her speech was that “failure is worse than not trying.”

The next day was equally busy starting with instructional course lectures. I attended the one on the approach to musculotendinous injuries in high performance athletes. This was followed by the Freddie Fu Lifetime Achievement Award given to Dr. John Bartlett from Australia. Dr. Bartlett subsequently gave the Freddie Fu Honor Lecture, "Honour the Work" and risk of popliteal artery injury in ACL deficient knees.

The third day also started with instructional course lectures followed by the introduction of international presidents, recognition of outgoing and incoming JISAKOS Editors in Chief, ISAKOS awards ceremony and introduction of the 2025 Congress. We were also honored to appear at the podium as the 2021 Travelling Fellowship winners. I must admit the experience for me was surreal. Though quite excited, I was humbled and thankful for the privilege.

During the conference, I was able to learn a lot by attending instructional course lectures, paper presentations, lunch time sessions and even the virtual reality challenge. I also met world leaders in orthopaedics and colleagues from Africa and the rest of the world. We were also introduced to the Magellan Society that incorporates former travelling fellowship winners.

Some of the valuable lessons I picked from the travelling fellowship were:

  1. Improve skills to improve training, a better surgeon makes a better trainer.
  2. The importance of work life balance—even during the most demanding or challenging tasks.
  3. Building networks/teams and the power of teamwork in accomplishing tasks.
  4. The satisfaction and fulfillment of giving back to society.
  5. The importance of "Standing on the shoulders giants"

At the end of it all, I felt a renewed drive to improve myself and my service to patients. I also realized that I still have so much to learn and see. There is also a need to share my experiences with the rest of the world through publishing. I met many amazing people. Though the encounters were brief, I hope it was the beginning of lifelong connections.

I will remain forever grateful to ISAKOS, our Godfather, Prof. Ponky Firer, and our hosts who went out of their way to ensure the fellowship was fruitful. I believe it is now my turn to give back to society.

View Dr. Were's Presentations

Wybren van der Wal MD - NETHERLANDS

In the summer of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the ISAKOS Traveling Fellowship program. This fellowship provided me with a unique chance to expand my knowledge and expertise in the field of sports orthopaedics. Over the course of two weeks, I visited four prestigious locations in Canada and the USA: Fowler Kennedy in London Ontario, Banff Sports Medicine in Alberta, Stanford Hospital in California, and Taos Orthopedic Institute in New Mexico. The fellowship was supposed to take place in 2021, but was postponed because of the Covid pandemic. Fortunately, Ponky Firer from South Africa was still our godfather, as we could not have wished for a better godfather.

June 3rd was arrival day in the vibrant city of London, Ontario, which went more smoothly for some, but with some trouble for others. On June 4th, we all met to go for mountain biking and a ropes course experience at Boulder Mountain. Oyoo woke up early and surprised us all with a 46 kilometer (!) run early in the morning, as he was awake so early because of his jetlag. We found out later this was in honor of his 46th birthday which he celebrated that same day. We then met with Al Getgood, his family and some of his colleagues and had a great adventurous day. After that we enjoyed a terrific barbecue at Al’s house where we met Ponky and other colleagues of Al.

In following days, the clinical part of the fellowship started at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic. We observed complex patellofemoral and multiligamentous knee cases, participated in scientific sessions, got a tour in the clinic and enjoyed a lab session where we could practice techniques on knee specimens. It was also great to discuss new research ideas with Al and other members of the team. In addition to the aforementioned activities, we enjoyed great meals, and on the last day went to the Niagara Falls and a wine estate. Al Getgood was a fantastic host and we had a great stay in London.

After London we flew to Calgary to visit the Banff Sports Medicine Center. The breathtaking backdrop provided a serene environment for learning. We stayed in a very spacious Airbnb house with fantastic mountain views in every direction. Laurie Hiemstra picked us up the following day and taught us in detail about the ins and outs of patellofemoral indications and surgery. We observed some complicated cases and it was very inspiring to learn more about Laurie’s approach to these cases. After surgery, Laurie took us on a tour through Banff and the surroundings and we were welcomed for a dinner with her colleagues at her house, in the beautiful town of Dead Man’s Flats. The following day we got to see the recently opened new outpatient clinic, again with amazing views out of every window. Together with Laurie, we ventured to the fabulous Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. We just couldn’t stop taking pictures there. The group really got to know each other at this point and we had a lot of fun together with Laurie.

The third location which we visited was the Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, USA, renowned for its groundbreaking advancements in orthopaedic surgery. We were welcomed at the hotel by Seth Sherman, and 10 minutes later we were on our way to a soccer match between San Jose Earthquakes and the Philadephia Union. It was the start of a rollercoaster couple of days in which we got maximum exposure to clinical experience coupled with exploring the beautiful surroundings. On Sunday Seth and Constance Chu took us for an all-day tour to Pebble Beach, Monterey including the aquarium, and the Stanford University “farm” or campus. The following days we were in theatre with Seth, Dr. Donahue and Dr. Marc Safran where we observed ACL’s, complex patellofemoral cases and hip arthroscopies. The faculty members at Stanford shared their wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. We had an educational scientific session where all of us presented our own research and other presentations were given. Drs. Safran and Donahue then lead a tour around San Francisco. We got to see the city from the best vantage points, walked up to the Golden Gate bridge, took the Crooked Road (twice) and had a nice dinner at “The Stinking Rose.” At the early morning before we left, Ponky presented at grand rounds, in which he taught the whole orthopedic department that was attending the ins and outs of the big 5, relating their knee anatomy to human anatomy all while teaching us important life lessons.

Our last, but definitely not least, stop was Taos, NM, USA. The ride from Albuquerque to Taos showed us the wideness and beautiful landscapes of this state. We were welcomed with a reception by Dr. Dan Guttmann and his colleagues, and the Taos press were also present.

Dr. Guttmann’s shoulder surgery was innovative and very impressive to see, as were the warm hospitality of him and his wife. On the second day, Dr. Guttmann organized a lab session in the ballroom of a hotel which was a very special experience and there was plenty of time to practice operative techniques together with the fellows on shoulder and knee cadavers. We were also in theatre with Dr. Sean Marvil who ran three OR’s during that day.

Dan and Lisa took us to the Taos Pueblo world heritage site, where we got an impressive tour of one of its inhabitants. We also got to see the very impressive canyon and enjoyed locally brewed beers together.

The ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship has been a transformative experience, allowing me to explore various facets of sports orthopedics across different geographic locations. The knowledge gained and the skills acquired during the fellowship will undoubtedly have a profound impact on my career. I am immensely grateful to the faculty members of Fowler Kennedy, Banff Sports Medicine, Stanford Hospital and Taos Orthopaedic Institute. Godfather Ponky was fantastic to have as our captain and taught us a lot and advised us about our careers. But on the other hand, it was sometimes hard to believe there was an age difference at all and we had the greatest fun together.

After the fellowship it was time for our trip to Boston. We had a fantastic ISAKOS Congress experience and it was so much fun to see everybody again in Boston who we met during our trip; the hosting surgeons, fellows, residents, and researchers. We are proud to now be members of the Magellan society and we are sure we will keep in touch the rest of our careers. The first plans were made already and Ponky invited us to visit him in South Africa.

A huge thanks to ISAKOS for this opportunity to be in the 2019-2021 Global Traveling Fellowship group and a special thanks to the ISAKOS Office for their perfect organization.

View Dr. van der Wal's Presentations

Joseph J. Ruzbarsky, MD - UNITED STATES

I am extraordinarily grateful to have been selected for the ISAKOS Traveling Fellowship. Although our initial plans were derailed in Africa due to a global pandemic, travelling in my native continent was more diverse, unique, and thought-provoking than I could have expected. Our hosts at Fowler Kennedy, Banff Sports Medicine Clinic, Stanford, and the Taos Orthopaedic Institute were not only incredibly generous with their time and hospitality, but for me—their expertise, way of thinking, surgical pearls, and meticulous techniques and innovation will help me to evolve into a better sports medicine surgeon in my young career.

We started our trip with Drs. Al Getgood, Bob Litchfield, and Ryan Degen at Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine in London, Ontario, Canada. These sports medicine leaders taught us what is necessary to answer important clinical questions in sports medicine. Their leadership in setting up the excellently designed prospective studies, including Instability II, will help our field to better counsel patients and, hopefully, improve outcomes in some of our most performed procedures. Furthermore, both technically and in the cadaver lab, I learned new surgical techniques that will change my treatment algorithms. Specifically, the methods to which I perform my posterolateral corner reconstructions, distal femoral osteotomies, and patellar instability procedures will all be optimized. Outside of surgery, we were able to optimize our time in Ontario: visiting Niagara Falls, mountain biking, completing a ropes course, presenting our research, enjoying great meals, and participating in a multicenter conference.

Our second stop moved from the Great Lakes region to the Northern Rocky Mountains in spectacular Banff. We were hosted by the current Canadian Orthopaedic Association President, Dr. Laurie Hiemstra. Laurie and the rest of the Banff Sports Medicine Clinic were incredibly kind and hospitable, introducing us to the amazing research program that she and her team have developed which is able to be incredibly productive despite lacking a university affiliation. The surgeries we observed with Laurie were game-changing for patellar instability. Her thought processes, algorithm, surgical techniques, and insights are exceptional and extremely valuable for young surgeons. For me, she made trochleoplasty procedures more straight-forward, logical, and elegant; for which I am thankful.

Our third stop brought us back into the United States to Stanford University where we were greeted with an optimized schedule which allowed us to accomplish an incredible amount in just 3 days. Socially, we visited the Monterey peninsula in all its splendor, the Cannery district, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, downtown San Francisco, a San Jose Earthquakes game, and even a historic reverse Boycott at an Oakland A’s game. Academically, we were able to present our research and hear about the robust research being done in their sports medicine department. In the operating room we were able to see Dr. Seth Sherman’s innovative approach to complex knee surgery, Dr. Safran’s iliofemoral ligament preserving approach to hip arthroscopy, as well as other great sports medicine cases. We are incredibly thankful for the time, effort, and hospitality displayed by Drs. Safran, Sherman, and Chu.

Finally, we moved south to New Mexico for our final stop at the Taos Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Dan Guttman showed us why his small, rural clinic is so well known and sought out by patients and why he is an orthopaedic thought-leader. He demonstrated innovative techniques that have the potential to better some of our most commonly performed shoulder surgeries including rotator cuff repair with his biologic approach to improve tendon-to-bone healing and dermal segmental labral augmentation for labral insufficiency. Outside of the operating room, we were fortunate to have an academic conference and a tremendous cadaver lab which allowed us to try some of these innovative techniques. Exploring the Taos region including the Taos Pueblo Reservation and the beautiful setting surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains was truly unforgettable.

Following Taos, we arrived for the ISAKOS Congress in Boston. We could not have asked for a more beautiful time of year to visit Boston. The meeting was excellent with great discussions, live surgical demonstrations, lunch time lectures, instructional course lectures, and poster sessions. I personally was fortunate to present some of our research from the Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute focusing on hip preservation both at the podium and through poster, moderate a session, and present in a panel on our clinic’s experience with professional athletes. One of the highlights of the meeting for me was spending time at the Boston Public Library at the President’s Reception and having the opportunity to meet many of the leaders of ISAKOS—courtesy of a special mentor from my residency training at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and future ISAKOS president, Dr. Bob Marx. The meeting was unparalleled, and I am already looking forward to Munich in 2025.

Finally, our group was incredibly fortunate to have been paired with our Godfather, Dr. Ponky "the admiral" Firer. His attitude, enthusiasm, knowledge, experience, and energy made the tour both educational and enjoyable and I can't imagine the experience would have been as special with someone else. Ponky coupled with the cohesiveness of my co-fellows, Wybren, Pamela, Saroj, and Oyoo, worked synergistically with the program to result in a truly unforgettable experience. Despite being from all over the world (with some degree of language barriers), my co-fellows and I got along great personally due to their collective easy-going, lighthearted, and fun-loving natures and have built friendships which will last a lifetime. I am incredibly thankful to the ISAKOS society for selecting me for this award and look forward to paying it forward to both the society and future fellows.

View Dr. Ruzbarsky's Presentations

Prof. Ponky Firer - SOUTH AFRICA

These past two weeks have been some of the best in my orthopaedic career of more than 40 years.

The stimulus of being connected with young enquiring minds, and the joy of seeing their enthusiasm from watching great surgeons at work is an experience I will treasure.

We were fortunate to have chosen four sites where the surgery was world-class, the hosts were exceptionally warm and set in the most beautiful natural environments. Five young people from various backgrounds jelled on day one and became a close-knit unit, always joking and laughing and whom I am sure will remain friends for life.

The ISAKOS investment will, I am sure, be repaid with interest as we follow their careers. On behalf of all of us, thank you for the incredible opportunity.

View Dr. Ruzbarsky's Presentations

Pamela Alexandra Castro MD - PERU

The Global Travelling Fellowship of ISAKOS exceeded my expectations tremendously. Not just for all the beautiful places we traveled to, but also for the high quality of hosts, lectures, surgical procedures and the learning opportunities that were involved. I could never imagine a better way to learn than this—we met new and interesting people, we exchanged knowledge in every single moment, and we went to different cities.

The team of Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine of London, Ontario challenged us from the very beginning with a visit to a tree top adventure park. We then had the opportunity to share our investigations during a very productive morning at the University of London—learning surgical techniques with very good and interesting cases in the OR, and an amazing cadaver lab where we could learn different procedures. We broke up the trip with a variety of beautiful sights like Niagara Falls. It is always great company with Dr. Getgood, Dr. Litchfield and Stacey.

In Banff, we had an amazing time with Dr. Laurie Hiemstra and her team who tought us all about patellofemoral reconstruction with a variety of brilliantly executed cases. I really enjoyed our time with her because she explained all the procedures with detail and taught us a lot of valuable tricks. We also had the chance to visit Banff Sport Medicine Foundation and learned about the research program and all the organization behind it. As a bonus, these experiences were had in a very special location, surrounded by beautiful and relaxing sights of nature.

At Stanford Orthopedics we were overwhelmed by a busy agenda full of academic activities, great OR cases, soccer and baseball games, and trips around the region. But best of all was meeting such incredible people and top surgeons such as Dr. Safran and Dr. Sherman and their teams. They received us with open arms and gave us the very best experience. We had the chance to share our research and get feedback and advice from all of them, including Dr. Constance Chu. We truly enjoyed our time there.

Taos Orthopedic Institute in New México was our last destination and gave us the chance to meet an excellent shoulder surgeon, Dr. Dan Guttman, and his team. We had the opportunity to watch complex shoulder cases perfectly executed by Dr. Guttman, and knee cases performed by Dr. Marval. We improved our surgical skills in an amazing cadaver lab at Monte Sagrado Hotel and finally, we had a great experience learning more about New Mexico and its valuable culture.

In Boston, we had the chance to keep learning at the ISAKOS Congress. It was my very first time at an ISAKOS meeting and I was really thrilled with all the different activities: lectures, papers presentations, meet the expert activities, surgical demos and all the great social events as well. I really loved the concept of learning in a dynamic way with enthusiastic and passionate people who try their best to help you understand the concepts. Overall, I think that the overall lesson was important: teaching is the best way to learn more and more.

Every moment was so special. Thank you to the best Godfather that ISAKOS could ever give us, Dr. Ponky Firer, who gave us not only surgical advice but also many life lessons that I will treasure forever. To my co-fellows, my four boys, I only have words of gratitude, best wishes in their life and careers. I will keep you in my heart, wishing that we can stay in touch and see each other soon. I am eternally grateful to ISAKOS for this unique experience. I will pursue the chance to be an ISAKOS host in my country in the future and share knowledge in this beautiful way. Thank you for everything.

View Dr. Castro's Presentations

Saroj Rai MD, PhD - NAPAL

I am excited to share the incredible experience we (Joseph Ruzbarsky, United States; Wybren van der Wal, Netherlands; Oyoo Were, Kenya; Pamela Castro, Peru; and myself from Nepal) had during the recent ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship. From June 3-17, 2023, I embarked on a journey filled with knowledge, adventure, and unforgettable memories. Our journey began with great enthusiasm as we prepared for our adventure. However, obtaining the Canadian visa proved to be a challenging task for some of us. Nevertheless, with determination and perseverance, we overcame the obstacles and set off on our fellowship.

First Stop (June 3 - June 7): Fowler-Kennedy Sports Medicine Center, London, Ontario, Canada
Our first destination welcomed us with open arms at the Fowler-Kennedy Sports Medicine Center. We were greeted by our gracious host, Dr. Alan Getgood, and Stacy. The fellowship started on an exhilarating note as we indulged in mountain biking and tree walking at Boler Mountain. In the evening, we had the pleasure of meeting our godfather, Ponky Firer, at Dr. Getgood's house, where we exchanged stories and experiences during a barbecue dinner.

The following day, we had the opportunity to witness surgeries performed by Dr. Giffin at the university hospital. After a delicious lunch, we participated in a cadaveric lab workshop, enhancing our skills and knowledge further. The third day commenced early in the operating room, where we observed intricate knee surgeries, including trochleoplasty and multiligamentous reconstruction of the knee, skillfully executed by Dr. Getgood. We concluded the day with a delightful dinner, cementing new friendships and fostering camaraderie. Before bidding farewell to London, we are taken for a visit to the magnificent Niagara Falls. The sheer power and beauty of the falls left us in awe, providing a refreshing break from our intense schedule.

Second Stop (June 8 - June 10): Banff, Calgary, Canada
Our journey then took us to the captivating beauty of Banff. Dr. Laurie Hiemstra, our host, introduced us to her hospital, the Mineral Spring Hospital in Banff. We were fortunate to witness and learn from Dr. Hiemstra's exceptional surgical skills, particularly in patella-femoral instability. After the surgery, we relished a delightful lunch at the hospital and later explored the mesmerizing nature of Banff. Our day concluded with a memorable dinner at Dr. Laurie's residence, filled with laughter and insightful conversations.

The next day, we had an introduction session at the Banff Sports Medicine Center, where Sara, colleague of Dr. Heimstra, enlightened us about their ongoing research projects and engaged us in discussions about our research endeavors. Following this, we visited a rehabilitation center, where we connected with numerous sports medicine colleagues. Later, Dr. Laurie took us on a breathtaking journey around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, immersing us in the pristine nature.

Third Stop (June 11-June 14): San Francisco, United States
Our third stop brought us to the vibrant city of San Francisco. Dr. Seth Sherman greeted us warmly in the hotel lobby and treated us to a thrilling football match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Philadelphia Union at the San Jose Stadium. The following day, Dr. Sherman and Prof. Constance Chu guided us through an exploration of Monterey, California, introducing us to its unique charm.

On the third day, we visited Stanford Medicine Hospital, where Dr. Sherman performed trochleoplasty and TT transfer surgeries. The state-of-the-art procedures left us in awe as we witnessed cutting-edge technology in action. In the evening, Prof. Marc Safran and his team led us on a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, immersing us in the beauty of its surroundings. A delightful dinner brought our eventful day to a close.

The fourth day was dedicated to observing hip arthroscopy for FAI performed by Prof. Safran and his esteemed team. We marveled at their expertise and the advancements in the field. In the afternoon, we engaged in an academic session, presenting our research papers to the experts, fostering intellectual growth and knowledge exchange. On June 14th, after attending our godfather's grand rounds, we bid farewell to Stanford and embarked on the journey to our final stop.

Fourth Stop (June-15-June 17): Taos, New Mexico, United States
Our final destination took us to the picturesque Taos. Dr. Dan Guttman and his team welcomed us at the hotel. We were astonished by the heartfelt reception extended to us by the entire hospital team, further emphasizing the warmth and camaraderie within the field. The following morning, we observed Dr. Guttman performing state of the art surgeries, including lower trapezius tendon transfer to the massive irreparable rotator cuff tear and posterior glenoid reconstruction using an acellular dermal allograft, providing us with valuable insights into innovative techniques. In the afternoon, we participated in a cadaveric lab workshop, honing our surgical skills and gaining confidence in various sports surgeries.

The third day in Taos presented another opportunity for learning as we observed surgeries performed by Dr. Marvil and his talented team. We were captivated by Dr. Marvil's surgical skills and efficiency, leaving a lasting impression on us. In the afternoon, we immersed ourselves in the rich culture of Taos, exploring the Taos Pueblo world heritage site and embracing the vibrant atmosphere. The following morning, we bid farewell to Taos and embarked on the final leg of our journey to the ISAKOS Congress in Boston.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the hosts, Drs. Alan Getgood, Laurie Hiemstra, Marc Safran, Seth Sherman, and Dan Guttman, who graciously welcomed us and provided us with a treasure trove of memories. The knowledge and experiences gained during this fellowship will undoubtedly shape our careers and foster a global perspective. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our godfather, Ponky, for his exceptional choice in arranging this outstanding fellowship. I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to late Dr. Freddie Fu and Dr. Volker Musahl, for the incredible opportunity and invaluable learning experience I received under your mentorship. Last but not least, I thank ISAKOS for providing this opportunity from the surgeons all around the world.

In closing, the ISAKOS Global Traveling Fellowship was an experience of a lifetime—a journey that transcended borders, languages, and cultures. It reinforced our passion for surgical excellence while emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and global collaboration. As we return to our respective countries, we carry with us the invaluable lessons learned and the friendships forged, ready to make a lasting impact in the field of orthopedic sports medicine.

View Dr. Rai's Presentations