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Orthopedic Physician Assistant Fellowship

Overview Curriculum Program Details How to Apply Faculty & Staff CURRENT FELLOWS AND ALUMNI

Program Overview

OrthoCarolina is one of the nation’s leading independent academic orthopedics practices serving the Southeast since 1922. OrthoCarolina provides compassionate and comprehensive musculoskeletal care including operative and non-operative care, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitative therapy. Widely known for musculoskeletal research and training, OrthoCarolina physicians have specialized expertise in foot and ankle, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, sports medicine, hand, pediatric orthopedics, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Over 300 OrthoCarolina practitioners see more than one million patient visits across North and South Carolina each year. We are proud to be both physician-owned and physician-led.

The Orthopedic Physician Assistant Fellowship Program at OrthoCarolina is designed to equip aspiring orthopedic PAs with the skills necessary to be an exceptional practitioner in the field of orthopedics. The program will leverage its position as one of the premier orthopedic groups in the country to expose and teach the fellows over the course of the 12-month program. The fellow will participate in both a didactic and clinical orthopedic training program, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in each of our subspecialties, including hip and knee, foot and ankle, hand, spine, sports, shoulder and elbow, physiatry and pediatrics.

The fellows will work closely with our orthopedic surgeons, PAs and NPs as we primarily focus development on their clinical competencies and surgical skills, however we are also intentional to build in addition training opportunities to enable them to grow in leadership, research, DEI awareness and communication skills.

The fellowship program is recommended for PAs who are looking to gain greater depth into orthopedics, enhance their skills and elevate their hiring potential in the field. Both new PA graduates and experienced PAs of other specialties are welcome to apply.

Curriculum

Orthocarolina is committed to providing an exceptional academic environment to deliver a robust educational experience. Our didactic program combines in-depth teaching in orthopedics in addition to leadership development. The clinical phase will offer exposure to high level orthopedics in each of our subspecialties as well as in the orthopedic urgent care environment.

Didactic Phase

  • Weekly Conferences
  • Journal Clubs
  • Evening Lectures
  • Leadership Training

Clinical Phase

Rotations through:

  • Foot and Ankle
  • Hip and Knee
  • Sports
  • Shoulder and Elbow
  • Hand
  • Spine
  • Pediatrics
  • Physiatry
  • Orthopedic Urgent Care

Exposure to:

  • Brachial Plexus Clinic
  • Cartilage Restoration Institute
  • Congenital Hand Center
  • Periprosthetic Joint Infection Center

Program Details

While postgraduate physician assistant programs do not require accreditation, our orthopedic fellowship program is built to align with the standards set by the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP) as the group may pursue accreditation at some point in the future once eligible.

Start dates

  • August
  • February

Admission Criteria

  • Graduation from a PA Program approved by the ARC-PA prior to starting the program
  • National Certification by the NCCPA (prior to enrollment in the program)
  • North Carolina Medical License (prior to enrollment in the program)
  • DEA licensure or eligibility
  • Pass standard OrthoCarolina pre-employment screening requirements

Benefits

  • Full time fellow salary $62,500
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Paid time off (PTO) accrual
  • FSA/HSA
  • Short Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • CME
  • Extra earning opportunity with game coverage, call and urgent care.

How to Apply

We’re thrilled that you're interested in joining our team! At Orthocarolina, we’re always looking for passionate individuals ready to make an impact. If you’re excited about contributing your unique talents and skills to our dynamic Physician Assistant fellowship, we want to hear from you!

Position: Orthopedic Physician Assistant Fellowship

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Job Description: As a Fellow Physician Assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from seasoned Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and Nationally recognized surgeons. This is a hands-on learning environment. You’ll be collaborating with an incredible team, tackling exciting challenges, and pushing boundaries to achieve a one-of-a-kind orthopedic education.

If you're looking for an opportunity to grow, develop new skills, and contribute to something bigger, this is the Fellowship for you!

Ready to Apply?

  • February (application window September 1st - 30th)
  • August  (application window March 1st - 31st)

Click the link below to submit your application today!

Apply Here

We can't wait to see how you’ll make a difference with us! Let’s build something great together.


Contact

Please direct any questions you may have regarding the program to:

Jadene D'Angelo, PA Fellowship Program Coordinator

Email: pafellows@orthocarolina.com

Directors

Leo R. Spector, MD

Leo R. Spector, MD, MBA

Medical Director
View Bio
Andrew (Andy) Hylton, PA-C

Andrew (Andy) Hylton, PA-C

Fellowship Co-Director
View Bio
Margaret L. Lynch, PA-C

Margaret L. Lynch, PA-C

Fellowship Co-Director
View Bio

Faculty

Matthew Beam, PA-C

Matthew Beam, PA-C

View Bio
Headshot of Jennifer Farres, a fellow in the Physician Assistant Fellowship program at OrthoCarolina.

Jennifer Farres, PA-C

View Bio
Jon Hendershot, PA-C

Jon Hendershot, PA-C

View Bio
Emilie Allen, PA-C

Emilie Hill, PA-C

View Bio
Jeffrey Morrison, PA-C

Jeffrey Morrison, PA-C

View Bio
Headshot of Courtney Phillips, a fellow in the Physician Assistant Fellowship program at OrthoCarolina.

Courtney Phillips, PA-C

View Bio
Headshot of Steven Randall, a fellow in the Physician Assistant Fellowship program at OrthoCarolina.

Steven Randall, PA-C

View Bio
Michael Skropeta, PA-C

Michael Skropeta, PA-C

View Bio
Kelly Stafford, PA-C

Kelly Stafford, PA-C

View Bio
Kristi Wheeler, PA-C

Kristi Wheeler, PA-C

View Bio

Current Fellows 

Rachel Szopa, PA-C

Rachel Szopa, PA-C

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Masters in Physician Assistant Studies

Class of 2026

Zac Petit, PA-C

Zac Petit, PA-C

Kansas State University Masters in Physician Assistant Studies

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