Value of LOR from fellowship?

[buddy 2004]

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I have not seen this discussed before, but I was wondering if people out there think there is some value coming from a spine/pain fellowship where there is a fairly well known attending. For example, someone well connected in the PM&R leadership or even an orthopedic surgeon that is heavily involved in one of their professional societies. I was thinking that although I might have fewer proficient procedures than other places, getting one of these VIPs to vouch for me while looking for a job might be helpful, especially if I want to stick to a certain geographic area. It looks like a lot of interventionalists work for a larger orthopedic group, and the might not necessarily know the PM&R people, but might respect an orthopedic doc who is working at the spine fellowship place.
I hope this makes sense to people. Thanks for your input.

 

[axm397]

I have not seen this discussed before, but I was wondering if people out there think there is some value coming from a spine/pain fellowship where there is a fairly well known attending. For example, someone well connected in the PM&R leadership or even an orthopedic surgeon that is heavily involved in one of their professional societies. I was thinking that although I might have fewer proficient procedures than other places, getting one of these VIPs to vouch for me while looking for a job might be helpful, especially if I want to stick to a certain geographic area. It looks like a lot of interventionalists work for a larger orthopedic group, and the might not necessarily know the PM&R people, but might respect an orthopedic doc who is working at the spine fellowship place.
I hope this makes sense to people. Thanks for your input.

It probably depends on the type of practice you want to join after fellowship. For example, having Joel Press make phone calls for you when you are looking for jobs can definitely help. Past fellows from SSRC have been very happy with their options and Press being the past-president of NASS also helps when joining a group of neurosurgeons and even orthos. If you want to do academic spine, you are also set. Maybe rehab_sports_dr can chime in ??😀

 

[Disciple]

I have not seen this discussed before, but I was wondering if people out there think there is some value coming from a spine/pain fellowship where there is a fairly well known attending. For example, someone well connected in the PM&R leadership or even an orthopedic surgeon that is heavily involved in one of their professional societies. I was thinking that although I might have fewer proficient procedures than other places, getting one of these VIPs to vouch for me while looking for a job might be helpful, especially if I want to stick to a certain geographic area. It looks like a lot of interventionalists work for a larger orthopedic group, and the might not necessarily know the PM&R people, but might respect an orthopedic doc who is working at the spine fellowship place.
I hope this makes sense to people. Thanks for your input.

I wouldn't worry about it so much. Interventional PM&R jobs are plentiful right now. Even in "desirable" geographical locations.

I think the whole name recognition thing is much more important when looking for an academic position. From my experience anyway, and from talking to alot of private practice guys.