35-Year Analysis of Fellowship Training Among Spine-Specialized Neurosurgeons in Florida

Introduction: Neurosurgical fellowships to obtain additional surgical training after residency are a career option widely available to the newer generation of neurosurgeons. This study aims to analyze current trends in fellowship training amongst spine neurosurgeons in Florida and factors that influence the choice of fellowship based on year, location, and academic trajectory.

Methods: This retrospective study collected demographic data and bibliometric information on neurosurgeons specializing in spine comparing those with fellowship training and those without. The information was gathered from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Florida Department of Health databases.

Results: A total of 103 spine-specialized neurosurgeons with active medical licenses were identified in the state of Florida at the time of this study in 2024. 23.4% of Florida-based spine neurosurgeons obtained their fellowship training in Florida, most commonly at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. Out of a total of 103, only 2 spine neurosurgeons are female and 3 have osteopathic doctoral degrees (D.O.).
Of these spine neurosurgeons who graduated from neurosurgical residency between 1985 and 1989, only 22% had obtained a spine fellowship. An increase in spine fellowship-trained neurosurgeons in Florida was observed in the following years: 24% in 1990-1994, 48% in 1995-1999, 50% in 2000-2004, 63% in 2005-2009, and 75% in 2010-2014. The highest percentage of spine fellowship-trained neurosurgeons in Florida was 77% in 2015-2019.

Conclusion : Over the past 35 years, there has been an increase in the number of Florida-based spine neurosurgeons pursuing fellowship training, with the highest percentage seen in those graduating from 2015-2019. Unfortunately, there is still a low representation of female and osteopathic spine neurosurgeons in Florida. This growing trend of spine-specialization highlights a potential shift in neurosurgery career trajectories and has important implications for future workforce planning and patient care in spine surgery.