Awards & Fellowships

TTSH/SICOT Trauma and Hand Fellowship Award (closed)

Funded by Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

On 12 October 2011, another SICOT Fellowship Award blossomed in the Asia Pacific region. A Memorandum of Understanding between SICOT and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Singapore created yet another window of opportunity for young SICOT members around the world. A formal signing ceremony was held between Dr K. Raveendran, First Vice President of SICOT (Asia Pacific) and A/Prof Thomas Lew, Chairman, Medical Board, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. Also present for the signing was A/Prof Ganesan Naidu, Head of Orthopaedic Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

TTSH bears the name of its founder, Mr. Tan Tock Seng, and is one of Singaporeâs pioneering hospitals with over 160 years of history. We have 36 clinical and allied health departments and over 6,500 staff. TTSH is a 1,146 operational bed hospital with most subspecialities. There are 4 intensive care wards (surgical, neurosurgical, medical, cardiac) and 3 high-dependency wards (surgical, neurosurgical, medical) totalling 72 intensive care and 20 high-dependency care beds. There is a full complement of modern diagnostic and imaging facilities at all times. TTSH operates 2 emergency operating theatres with additional capacity for a third one around the clock. There is also an interventional radiology team available for emergency activation.

The Trauma Service is a busy service within the Orthopaedic Department. We have 5 Trauma Consultants and all specialist surgeons have their own full day elective operating lists. In addition, it runs semi-emergency operating theatre 4 times a week. Our department also runs a 24-hour orthopaedic operating theatre for emergency procedures. Fellows will have the opportunity to operate along with orthopaedic trauma surgeons in their elective lists as well as in the trauma lists. Fellows will also participate in emergency procedures in the emergency operating theatre after office hours or on weekends. Most of the trauma cases managed comprise of long bone fractures, open fracture, pelvic fractures and geriatric fractures.

Hand and Microsurgery Services manages all patients with hand related problems. There are currently 4 consultant hand surgeons, covering all the subspecialties in hand surgery: trauma, microsurgery, brachial plexus reconstruction, wrist including arthroscopy, and tumour. Our consultants also cover paediatric hand in KKH as visiting consultants. We also provide soft tissue coverage and microsurgical reconstruction for lower limb injuries. We manage a wide variety of cases, and have a high trauma load. The hand fellows will be exposed to a wide variety of cases and their management, involved in microsurgical reconstruction including free flaps and replantations, minimally invasive surgery including arthroscopy and endoscopic techniques, advanced techniques in fracture fixation, and other aspects of hand surgery.

The TTSH/SICOT Trauma & Hand Fellowship will give the fellow a comprehensive exposure to both subspecialties (Trauma Surgery and Hand Surgery for 3 months each). It will be a unique experience as both services compliment each other in managing trauma cases requiring fixation and soft tissue coverage. Besides, there will also be opportunities for research and teaching. All young surgeons (below the age of 40) from around the world who are SICOT members are eligible to apply. The fellowship will be funded with a monthly allowance of SGD 2500 every month for the duration of the fellowship. No other allowances or monetary payment in any form will be given.

The selection will be made based on the submission of:

a detailed curriculum vitae;
a best published scientific paper; and
a letter of recommendation by the supervisor/chief.

The additional criteria, based on the guidelines of the Singapore Medical Council for registration purposes, include having a minimum of 3 years working experience as a medical officer (or equivalent), fulfilling the English language requirements and preferably have obtained a postgraduate diploma of degree in his country or overseas.

All applications must be made between 1 December 2013 and 31 January 2014 and sent to fellowships@sicot.org. The selected candidate will be notified by 15 February 2014. The fellowship will commence in May/June 2014.

Winners
2014: Sandeep Patel (India)
2013: Laxman Rijal (Nepal)
2012: Waleed Riad Saleh (Egypt)

Hitendra K. Doshi, Kandiah Raveendran,Â Thomas Lew &Â Ganesan Naidu
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