Hand surgery research + scholarly opportunities at Tufts Medical Center

Tufts Medical Center offers fellows access to a gross anatomy lab, a pathology lab and a bio-skills lab, along with an outstanding occupational therapy department located on the clinic floor. Fellows are encouraged to participate in the service’s clinical and basic science research activities, contributing to studies that advance the understanding and treatment of hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Faculty mentors provide guidance throughout the research process, helping fellows develop study design, data analysis, manuscript preparation and presentation skills.

Engagement in research allows fellows to build a strong academic portfolio, refine analytical skills and contribute to innovations in hand surgery while balancing clinical training and hands-on experience.

Clinical opportunities + expert training in hand surgery at Tufts Medical Center

Fellows in the Tufts Medical Center Combined Hand Surgery Fellowship gain extensive clinical experience across a wide range of hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Fellows spend 6 months at Tufts Medical Center, the tertiary care facility for complex orthopedic and hand surgery cases, and 6 months at New England Baptist Hospital, a 100-bed orthopedic referral hospital. At both institutions, fellows work alongside attending physicians, manage office patients and participate in a high volume of surgical cases, developing treatment plans and following patients through care. The hand service at Tufts Medical Center performs an average of 815 surgeries and sees approximately 6,800 patients each year, including traumatic injuries, post-traumatic reconstruction and soft-tissue coverage.

Diagnose + treat complex hand problems

Fellows manage acute and chronic trauma, congenital anomalies, tumors, arthritis, arthroscopy, joint replacement and select microsurgical cases. They assume primary responsibility for hand clinic patients and work closely with attending physicians, residents, a physician assistant and certified hand therapists in both the operating room and outpatient settings. Weekly hand surgical rounds provide structured learning and case discussions.

Preceptorship + mentorship

The fellowship follows a preceptorship model, providing personalized mentorship and the opportunity to discuss challenging cases throughout the day. Much of the practice is elective, giving fellows limited night or weekend duties and time for study, research projects and clinical project participation.

Workman’s compensation cases

Fellows gain experience with workers’ compensation cases, learning to recommend treatment, evaluate return-to-work capacity and prepare medical-legal reports.

Advanced hands-on hand surgery training at Tufts Medical Center

Fellows in the Hand Surgery Fellowship gain ‌hands-on training experience that prepares them for independent practice. Each fellow spends 6 months at Tufts Medical Center and 6 months at New England Baptist Hospital/Hand Center at Boston Sports and Shoulder Center, working directly with leading hand specialists. This structure provides broad exposure to complex trauma, reconstruction, degenerative conditions, microsurgery and other hand, wrist and elbow pathologies.

The preceptorship model ensures personalized mentorship, allowing fellows to take meaningful responsibility for patient care while refining diagnostic skills, decision-making and surgical technique. High case volume and diverse clinical rotations give fellows the opportunity to manage both common and rare conditions, building confidence in their judgment and technical abilities.

Structured learning is a core part of the fellowship. Fellows participate in a weekly hand surgery conference at Tufts Medical Center, monthly Hand Journal Club sessions and a monthly conference on rare hand surgery topics. A week-long microsurgery course and multiple opportunities for clinical and basic research further enhance the training experience, providing a balanced combination of surgical practice, academic engagement and mentorship.

Train + work with leading hand specialists through the Tufts Medical Center fellowship

The Hand Surgery Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center accepts two fellows each year. This one-year program begins on August 1 and concludes the following July 31, offering a pre-practice opportunity to develop clinical judgment, advanced technical skills and teaching ability. Fellows split their time between Tufts Medical Center and New England Baptist Hospital/Hand Center at Boston Sports and Shoulder Center, completing 6 months at each institution to gain hands-on experience in both surgical and nonsurgical care.

Fellows work closely with leading hand specialists in a preceptorship model, taking responsibility for patient care while receiving personalized mentorship. Clinical rotations provide exposure to complex trauma, reconstruction, degenerative conditions, microsurgery and a wide range of hand, wrist and elbow pathologies, helping fellows refine diagnostic skills and decision-making abilities. The high volume of cases and structured curriculum ensure comprehensive training and confidence in managing both common and rare conditions.

The formal curriculum includes a weekly hand surgery conference at Tufts Medical Center, a monthly Hand Journal Club and a monthly conference on rare hand surgery topics. Fellows also attend a week-long microsurgery course and have multiple opportunities to participate in clinical and basic research. This combination of clinical experience, mentorship and academic engagement prepares graduates for a smooth transition into independent practice.

Advance your career with the Hand Surgery Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center

Our Hand Surgery Fellowship is a one-year program that provides advanced training in the full spectrum of hand, wrist and elbow care. Fellows split their time between Tufts Medical Center and New England Baptist Hospital, gaining experience in both academic and specialized orthopedic settings. The fellowship prepares surgeons to confidently manage complex trauma, reconstruction, degenerative conditions and microsurgery while building strong clinical judgment, technical skills and teaching ability.

The fellowship complements the Orthopaedic Residency Program at Tufts Medical Center, offering an advanced pathway for surgeons pursuing subspecialty expertise in hand and upper extremity surgery. Fellows work closely with expert faculty in a preceptorship model, taking on meaningful responsibility in the clinic and operating room. With a high case volume, structured didactics and opportunities for research, the fellowship is designed to help graduates transition smoothly into independent practice.

Program highlights include:

• Broad surgical experience in trauma, reconstruction, arthritis, nerve conditions, congenital anomalies and tumors
• Balanced training across Tufts Medical Center and New England Baptist Hospital
• Dedicated teaching through weekly hand surgery conference, monthly journal club and specialized lectures
• A week-long microsurgery course included in the curriculum
• Time for academic work and research supported by faculty mentorship

How to apply to the Tufts Medicine Orthopaedic Residency Program

Applicants must submit their materials through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). A USMLE transcript is required for every application. Applicants must provide at least three letters of recommendation, with a maximum of four.

For the 2026 ERAS® cycle, the MyERAS application incorporates the previous supplemental materials, including:

• Geographic preferences (by region and urban or rural setting)
• Most meaningful experiences and other impactful life events, if applicable
• Program signals

For the 2025–2026 Match year, all applications must be submitted through ERAS by October 1, 2025. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Tufts Medicine Resident Selection Committee, and applicants invited for interviews will be notified after review. All interviews will be held in person on December 12 and 13, 2025.

We seek residents who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership​ and interpersonal skills.