When you’re seeking an orthopedic spine surgeon, you want the best-of-the-best — and that means a surgeon with impeccable credentials who is fellowship-trained. Dr. Stephen Courtney is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who has dedicated his life to excellence in the field!
What does it mean to be fellowship-trained?
To be a spine surgeon, the requirements include a college degree with a premedical curriculum, four years of medical school, and five years of residency. Many doctors finish with their residency and start working in the medical field right away. However, fellowship-trained doctors voluntarily continue their education after completing their residency. Most of the time, the fellowship training lasts an additional year, and sometimes a research component is added with the operative and clinical training.
This fellowship training allows the physician to acquire sub specialty training, subsequently improving their skills in their chosen area of surgery. The additional year of training allows a new surgeon to work with nationally recognized medical field experts, affording a specialty skill set that can’t be gained in the regular medical school training. During this year of training, the surgeon-in-training is referred to as a “fellow.”
In the case of spine surgery, fellowship-trained surgeons have specialized skills which can be very beneficial for surgical outcomes. The fellowship improves those surgical skills during the training, with the goal of offering those services in their own practice.
Why does it matter if your spine surgeon is fellowship-trained?
Simply put, the reason you should seek a fellowship-trained orthopedic spin surgeon is because the additional hands-on training (beyond medical school) offers you comfort and peace-of-mind in knowing that the surgeon is among those who have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence in their field.
Again, surgeons who have gone through fellowship training voluntarily chose to have additional training beyond the minimum requirements from the medical school – and the extra training gives the surgeon specialization in their practice. As a patient, that means an increased chance of success for your outcome!
Call Dr. Courtney today!
As a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and founder of the acclaimed spine division at Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Spine Center, Dr. Courtney is well known for his straight-forward and honest approach. Dr. Courtney operates only if clearly indicated with the most proven techniques, which has earned him a superb reputation among his professional colleagues, medical peers and patients.
We invite you to contact us today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Courtney.
When it comes to spine surgery, you want and deserve the best-of-the-best – and that means a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with the experience, skills and integrity of Dr. Courtney! Contact us today!
