This service contributes to the training of spinal surgeons from the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the World. This type of training helps those who come to the Service and this Service learns from them. These surgeons have the title Spinal Fellows. Please use the Contact Us page if you are wishing to be considered for spinal fellowship.
Spinal Fellows – most recent at the top
May 2022 to August 2023 –
Mrs Ayesha Arshad MBBS, MRCS, FCPS (Neurosurgery)
“I am a neurosurgeon from Pakistan, where I completed my medical education and my neurosurgical training, and have been working as a consultant neurosurgeon there since 2014. I initially came to UK for a two years fellowship in 2017 to QEHB Birmingham, as a senior International Training fellow, Neurosurgery. During my time there, I developed an interest in complex spinal surgery and went back to Pakistan in 2019 to establish spine oncology surgery services at the cancer hospital of the region.
I have many publications in peer reviewed journals and multiple national and international presentations. I continue to teach on undergraduate and postgraduate educational programmes.
I came to Edinburgh in May, 2022 for this fellowship at the Scottish National Spine service. Coming from Neurosurgery, this has been my first experience of seeing the Orthopaedic side of the spine spectrum, and I have learnt so much from this that now I believe it is important to see this side if one aims to practice spine surgery as a career. There are ample opportunities to see the multidisciplinary approach in practice for the care of spine deformity patients, improve on surgical skills by experiencing the various techniques in use to address the wide diversity and variety of patient population catered by the service. There are also excellent opportunities to polish on the academic side and do high quality research.
The Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service has a strong international reputation for both the excellent patient care it delivers and for the training of visiting surgeons. I feel lucky and honoured to be part of such a dynamic team and to get first hand experience of the various surgical and non-surgical aspects of patient care and also have been involved in multiple research projects, leading to presentations and publications at national and international levels. I look forward to working further with the highly experienced multidisciplinary team to assist in the delivery of the service with the aspiration to further expand my knowledge and skills.”
Spine deformity procedures: 14 per month (to 16/10/22)
Leaving to: Not decided.
February 2022 to February 2023 –
Mr Aditya A Dahapute MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), MRCS (Edinburgh).
“I did my graduation from LTM Medical College, Mumbai (India) and subsequently did residency in Trauma & Orthopaedics from Seth GS Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (India). After working for 2 years as a senior registrar in Orthopaedics , I worked as an Assistant Professor and Consultant spine surgeon in Department of Orthopaedics Seth GS Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai . For three years I was a full time spinal surgeon providing complex spinal surgery service including complex CVJ surgery, MISS with all spinal tumour surgeries.
I have publications in peer reviewed journals and international presentations. I have a PG Certificate in Clinical Education and book chapter publications in surgical textbooks and taught on undergraduate and postgraduate educational programmes.
Before coming to Edinburgh I did Norman Capener Spine Fellowship at Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre in Exeter (UK) and worked as Senior spinal Fellow at Walton Neuroscience centre and Liverpool University hospital Trust .
So far my experience in Edinburgh has been very positive, it is a team extremely dedicated to the care of patients with a variety of deformities of the spine and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The fellowship at the Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service will enlarge my clinical knowledge on spinal deformities.
I am also working on a very interesing research topic with Mr Garrido to study effect of saggital parameters on lung function in Adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis .
I am enjoying my fellowship and stay in Edinburgh city which is very vibrant and welcoming with rich history and cultural background.”
Spine deformity procedures: 16 per month
Leaving to: Spinal Fellow at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
February 2021 to February 2022 –
Mr Tristan McMillan MBChB, FRCS (T&O)
“I was born and raised in Northern Ireland, moving to Scotland in 2005 to complete medical school at the University of Glasgow. I remained in Glasgow for early surgical training before moving to Aberdeen to complete my Trauma and Orthopaedic training. There my sub-specialty interest in Spine surgery developed working with both Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical teams at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Woodend General Elective Orthopaedic Hospital.
During training medical research has lead to publications in peer reviewed journals and international presentations. I have a PG Certificate in Clinical Education and book chapter publications in surgical textbooks and taught on undergraduate and postgraduate educational programmes.
The Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service has a strong international reputation for both the excellent patient care it delivers and for the training of visiting surgeons. I look forward to working with the highly experienced multidisciplinary team to assist in the delivery of the service. The aim is to expand my knowledge and skills in the management of Paediatric and Adolescent spine conditions.”
Spine deformity procedures: 16 per month (to March 2021)
Leaving to: The National Spine Fellow at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
August 2020 to July 2021 –
Mr Rakesh Kumar, MBBS, MS, MCh.
“I completed my graduation from MLN Medical college Allahabad (India) and subsequently did residencies in General surgery (2010) and Neurosurgery (2014) from SMS Medical college Jaipur (India). After doing one year of senior registrarship in Neurosurgery, I worked as an Assistant Professor in Department of Neurosurgery at King Georges Medical University and later at RMLIMS, Lucknow (India). For three years I was a full time spinal surgeon providing complex spinal surgery service including complex CVJ surgery, MISS, Endoscopic spine surgery with all spinal tumour surgeries. “
“After getting short term training in Paediatric spinal deformity at Malaya University, Kuala Lumpur and doing clinical observership at RVI Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, we started Spinal deformity surgery service at my institution covering a large population.”
“After completing the spinal fellowship at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital this year, I got the opportunity to join the Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service fellowship. SNSDS offers a unique dedicated comprehensive service which provides best opportunity to a fellow to be exposed to all aspects of spinal deformity. This includes treatment options and a strong tradition to be involved in clinical research.”
Spine deformity procedures: 18 spinal deformity procedures/Month (even with Covid restrictions)
Leaving to: Join as Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, RMLIMS, Lucknow (India).
February to July 2020 –
Mr Tom PC Schlösser, MD, PhD
“During my medical school and orthopaedic training I have developed a special interest in various spine related pathologies and their associated treatments.”
“Clinical experience: I completed my medical school at Utrecht University, the Netherlands in 2011 and continued with the six-year higher specialist training in Orthopaedic Surgery in academic and non-academic hospitals in Utrecht and Amsterdam. In the final years of training, I worked in the spine units of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Sint Maartenskliniek in Nijmegen and visited the spine department of the CMCR des Masseus in Lyon in France to gain clinical experience in the management of paediatric and adult spinal deformities. In 2019, I completed the curriculum of the European Spine Diploma of the European Spine Society. I am a member of the Dutch Orthopaedic Society, European Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society.”
“Academic experience: During my medical school, I performed research fellowships on the feasibility of intervertebral disc prostheses at Yale School of Medicine in the USA and on the changes in the normal growing spine in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In 2011, I received a personal grant for a full-time PhD-trajectory on the causation of idiopathic scoliosis. In 2012 and 2013 I performed research fellowships at the Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children in the USA and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. So far, this had led to more than 40 peer-reviewed international publications, numerous presentations at international spine conferences and a PhD-degree.”
“So far my experience in Edinburgh has been very positive, it is a team extremely dedicated to the care of patients with a variety of deformities of the spine and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The fellowship at the Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service will enlarge my clinical knowledge on spinal deformities. After this fellowship, I plan to work as a spinal deformity consultant in the Netherlands..”
Spine deformity procedures: total 47 (8 procedures per month, even with the COVID pandemic)
Leaving to: a consultant post at the University of Utrecht starting August 2020
Update:
August 2019 to May 2020 –
Mrs Stacey Darwish
“I was born in Edinburgh and completed my undergraduate training at Glasgow University. I moved to Belfast in 2009 to undertake surgical training. I completed this in August 2019 having passed the FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) in 2018.”
“Whilst in Belfast my love of spinal surgery developed. I was exposed to high volumes of adult spine trauma, tumour and degenerative pathologies. I developed the service locally by introducing the electronic referral system as well as being heavily involved in the virtual scoliosis clinics and our spinal mega clinics (an innovative way of managing waiting lists).”
“I have undertaken spinal research over my years of training; being involved in both local and national studies as well as establishing a local research group. I have presented my work nationally and internationally, most recently presenting at the Middle East Spine Society meeting in New Delhi.”
“I have moved back to Edinburgh to further my experience in the management of spinal deformity. The Scottish National Spine Deformity Service is well established and deals with a high volume of cases in both paediatric and adolescent deformity. I am very much looking forward to working with the team.”
Spine deformity procedures: included after 3 months ( procedures per month)
Leaving to: to be decided
Update:
February 2019 to January 2020 –
Mrs Maryem Ismael
“I was born and raised in Rabat, Morocco. I studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Brown University with an honours thesis on Kinematic Analysis of Bat Flight in 3D. I then graduated from medical school in the University of Navarra, Spain and completed my training in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology in Madrid in 2014. I have since dedicated myself to spine pathology management and treatment. My first appointment was at the Istituto Galeazzi in Milan, Italy, under the guidance of Pedro Berjano and Claudio Lamartina. I then pursued a one year fellowship in spine surgery in Exeter, UK.”
“I am very much enjoying my year as a clinical fellow in the Scottish National Deformity Service. This is a very well organized, multidisciplinary unit within the Royal Hospital for Sick Children where complex spinal deformity cases are managed with a wide range of treatments and techniques.”
“Edinburgh is a very vibrant and welcoming international city with many opportunities for a wide variety of cultural and sport activities.”
Spine deformity procedures: ( procedures per month)
Leaving to: to be decided
January to August 2019 –
Mr Hamzah Soleiman
“I was born and raised in Syria, and was awarded a scholarship by the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education to study medicine in Pakistan.”
“I undertook Basic Surgical Training in the Midlands (Warwickshire & Worcestershire BST). My Neurosurgery specialty training was completed in London and Edinburgh, and I am now undertaking dedicated spine fellowships, currently working in the SNSDS. Before starting here, I have been involved in over 650 spinal procedures.”
“I passed FEBNS (European board in neurological surgery; 2017) and FRCS (SN; 2018) exams, MSc in Neuroimaging from Edinburgh University (2010), and currently work on completing the modules of European spinal and advanced spinal diplomas.”
Spine deformity procedures: after 3 months ( procedures per month)
Leaving to: to be decided
Update:
August 2018 to May 2019 –
Mr Simon B Roberts
“I completed my undergraduate medical degree at the University of Edinburgh. My early surgical training was completed between Manchester and Newcastle. I transferred to Edinburgh to complete combined higher surgical and academic training in Trauma & Orthopaedics. I have completed a BSc (Immunology), MSc (Surgical Sciences), and PhD (Genetics) at the University of Edinburgh, and passed the FRCS (T&O) exam in 2018.”
“In my final ST8 T&O registrar training year, I have worked in the Scottish National Spine Deformity Service (SNSDS) as the spinal fellow to gain focused experience in the management of paediatric and adult spinal deformity. My experience has been extremely positive, with exposure to the full breadth of complex paediatric and adult deformity surgery in a high volume unit. The staff at the SNSDS are very helpful, and are dedicated to the care of patients with spinal deformity. I have undertaken several research projects at the SNSDS, am a member of the British Scoliosis Society, and have presented at the British Scoliosis Society (BSS) and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) on several occasions, most recently at the BSS 2018 meeting in Belfast. After completing the Edinburgh orthopaedic training programme in August 2019, I will undertake the Newcastle Spine Fellowship (2019-2020), before undertaking further sub-specialty spine surgery fellowships.”
Spine deformity procedures: 101 (18 procedures per month)
Leaving to: Newcastle Spine Fellowship, UK
Update:
August 2017 to July 2018 –
Mr Rakesh Dhokia
“I completed my primary medical degree at the Royal Free and University College Medical School. I graduated with first class honours in Medical Physics and Bioengineering for my intercalated BSc from University College London. I undertook foundation and core surgical training in the London Deanery. I completed higher specialist Trauma & Orthopaedic training in Northern Ireland and passed the FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) exam in 2016. In Belfast, I was exposed to large volumes of adult spine trauma, tumour and degenerative pathologies. Here I completed over 500 spine procedures prior to CCT.
I have joined the Scottish National Spine Deformity Service to gain further experience in the management of scoliosis performed for children and young adults. The service is a national service with one of the highest turnover of patients in the UK.
I have contributed to spinal research through national meetings and this has culminated with the award for best podium presentation at BritSpine 2014 for my work on improving post operative pain in degenerative spinal fusion surgery.
I am currently completing the BOA Clinical leaders programme which has accreditation for a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. My quality improvement project relates specifically to improving patient care and improving waiting lists for spinal patients in degenerative and deformity surgery. I am actively involved in teaching and have gained the Postgraduate Certificate for Clinical Education from Queens University, Belfast. I am an Advanced Trauma Life Support instructor.”
Involved in 63 spine deformity procedures so far (9 per month).
Left to: Consultant Spine Surgeon, Belfast.
August 2017 to January 2018 – Mr Anindya Basu
I graduated from Medical College Kolkata (India) and subsequently completed my junior and senior residencies in Orthopaedics from RG Kar Medical College Kolkata in 2015. I passed my Master of Surgery (MS) in Orthopaedics and MRCS (Glasgow) examinations in 2014 and my National Board Certification (DNB) examination in Orthopaedics in 2016. During my Orthopaedic training I became interested in spinal surgery and did my thesis on thoracolumbar spine fractures.
I worked in the Spinal surgery unit of Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata for a year where I had the opportunity to work closely with the neurospine team. I undertook a one year fellowship in Complex Spinal surgery from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals where I worked with the paediatric and adult deformity team. In this busy fellowship I also had good exposure to spinal degenerative conditions, infections, tumours and trauma.
Involved in ? spine deformity procedures so far (? per month).
Leaving to: Consultant Spinal practice in Kolkata, India.
February to July 2017 – Mr Zak Choudhury
“I was born and raised in Yorkshire and completed my medical training at Oxford and the Royal Free & University Medical School. I undertook my registrar rotation in Birmingham with two years of spinal experience prior to CCT.
I am passionate about teaching and am faculty for the RCS (Eng) Clinical Skills in Spinal Assessment and Management Course. Outside work I am involved with looking after Championship and Age grade International rugby players and am an instructor on the Rugby Football Union Immediate Care in Sport Course.
Involved in ? spine deformity procedures so far (? per month).
Left to: European Travelling Spine fellowship.
Update:
August 2016 to June 2017 – Mr Alex Augustithis
“I graduated from Aberdeen University in 2002. I trained in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery in Glasgow where I developed an interest in Spinal Surgery. I passed my FRCS (Orthopaedics and Trauma) in 2014. Following this I undertook a one year fellowship in spinal surgery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. My experience of both paediatric and adult spinal surgery in this busy unit led me to pursue further fellowship training in spinal deformity surgery.
I was keen to return to Scotland and a fellowship with the National Spinal Deformity Service here in my home town of Edinburgh provided an excellent training opportunity. Fellows participate in adult and paediatric spinal deformity surgery in a high volume deformity department with exposure to some very complex cases. The department has a well deserved reputation for research and fellows are encouraged to participate in ongoing projects. There are opportunities to attend clinics across a number of sites where the whole spectrum of spinal deformity practice will be encountered.
Involved in 107 spine deformity procedures so far (12 per month).
Left to: Locum spine post, Glasgow
UPDATE: Consultant Spine Surgeon, Glasgow from August 2018
February to August 2016 – Mr Peter Loughenbury
“I qualified from Leeds University in 2004. My early surgical training was split between St James’s University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary. I completed Higher Surgical training in Yorkshire and passed the Trauma and Orthopaedics specialist examinations in 2013. From this point I have focused on spinal surgery and undertook the one year National Spine Fellowship at Leeds General Infirmary, a combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spinal Fellowship. My interest is in Paediatric Spinal Deformity and to this end I have moved to Edinburgh to gain more experience in this field.”
“The Scottish National Spinal Deformity Service is a unique and comprehensive service that provides support and care for patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis through to adult life. This offers Fellows an opportunity to be exposed to treatment of a large number of complex cases over a short period of time. There is a strong tradition of producing clinical research and of training future surgeons.”
“Edinburgh itself is a great place to live and the department is an extremely friendly place to work. I’m enjoying the chance to get to know the city. Like the other Fellows I’ve been made to feel very welcome by everyone I’ve met.”
Involved in 15 spine deformity procedures so far (15 per month).
Left to: Consultant Spine Surgeon, Leeds.
August 2015 to July 2016 – Mr Joseph Fournier
“I am a French Paediatric Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon and I have been trained in Tours, France. I have already had some independent practice in Orthopaedic Paediatric surgery, including Spinal deformities. I wanted to improve the care I delivered to those patients and decided to apply to the Scottish National Spine Deformity Fellowship.”
“The Scottish National Spine Deformity Service is giving me the chance to increase my experience and knowledge by working with knowledgeable, skilful and dedicated surgeons. The number of cases seen here as well as the quality of teaching received will enable me to appropriately manage most cases of spinal deformity I may encounter in my future practice.”
“The patients of Edinburgh and Scotland have been very welcoming and it is always a pleasure to work with the whole Spinal Deformity team, as well as other medical specialities in NHS Lothian.”
Involved in 45 spine deformity procedures so far (15 per month to end October 2015).
Left to: Spinal Fellowship, Newcastle
February 2015 to January 2016 – Mr George Mataliotakis
Involved in 149 spine deformity procedures so far (16 per month to end October 2015).
Left to: Spinal Fellowship, Manchester
July to December 2014 – Mr Senthil Ganesan
“I have finished my orthopaedic training in India and the U.K. and now aspire to become a paediatric spinal surgeon. I consider it a privilege to be trained here by a team of notable spinal surgeons, following in the footsteps of Mr McMaster. I look forward to a rewarding year with exposure to all kinds of spinal deformities at the national referral centre. Scotland is a great place to live and enjoy the great outdoors.”
Involved in a total of 63 spine deformity procedures (10 per month).
Left to: Locum Consultant, Salisbury, U.K.
February 2014 to January 2015 – Mr Nick (Nikolaos) Bounakis
“I have concluded my training in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery in Athens, Greece on June 2013. Since I had no previous exposure to the management of spine deformity, I decided to apply to work on this Service to complete a 12 month fellowship.
I am half way through and have already participated in 110 operations and been actively involved in the management of extremely complex patients during outpatients and on the ward. This has all been under the close supervision of 3 leading surgeons in the field of spine deformity. There is a high level of training offerred. In combination with the outstanding outdoors of Scotland and the exquisite beauty of Edinburgh this post is a life time experience for everybody who wishes to gain a thorough knowledge in the conservative and surgical management of spine deformity.”
Involved in a total of 110 spine deformity procedures (13.6 per month).
Left to: Elective Orthopaedic Fellowship, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Scotland.
April to June 2014 – Mr Mallik (Mallikarjun) Honnenahallic
“I had a lifetime experience of working in this Service with the dedicated team with great exposure to deformity correction in children and adults. This place has an immense opportunity as a fellow for research work with help from very experienced colleagues.”
Involved in a total of 35 spine deformity procedures (12 per month).
Left to: (to be updated)
August 2013 to January 2014 – Mrs Ana Mora de Sambricio
“I am a Spanish Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon. The aim of the fellow in the team is attending to clinics, ward rounds and theatre lists with all three consultants to learn the management of all spinal deformity related conditions in children and adult patients. There is also the possibility for research and attending courses, grand rounds and teaching sessions at the RHSC and the RIE. Edinburgh is a World Heritage Site, extremely friendly to foreigners and with beautiful landscapes in which to enjoy free time.”
Involved in a total of ? spine deformity procedures (21 per month).
Left to: Consultant Spine Surgeon, Madrid.
