The Gulf Coast Adult Reconstruction Fellowship

Shaping the next generation of adult reconstruction surgeons

The Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola offers a comprehensive, high-volume training experience designed to prepare fellows for successful careers in hip and knee reconstruction. As the only fellowship of its kind in the region, the program provides exceptional exposure to complex primary and revision joint replacement procedures, cutting-edge surgical techniques, and multidisciplinary patient care.

Fellows train alongside nationally recognized orthopedic surgeons committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and education. Through extensive operative experience, academic engagement, and mentorship, graduates leave equipped to become leaders in adult reconstruction.

Program overview

The Adult Reconstruction Fellowship provides advanced subspecialty training in the evaluation and management of degenerative joint disease, complex reconstructive procedures, and revision arthroplasty.

Program highlights include:

• Faculty-to-fellow ratio of 3:1, which provides an exceptional level of individualized mentorship, direct surgical instruction, and faculty engagement
• High-volume exposure to primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty
• Progressive surgical autonomy under expert faculty guidance
• Comprehensive clinical and operative experience across diverse patient populations
• Participation in multidisciplinary care teams
• Opportunities for clinical research, quality improvement, and scholarly activity
• Dedicated mentorship focused on career development and leadership

The program also offers high-volume, diverse surgical experience. Recent fellows have collectively participated in more than 1,000 surgical cases during their fellowship year, including extensive exposure to both primary and revision arthroplasty. 

Fellows typically gain experience in approximately 200 revision total joint procedures while developing proficiency in complex reconstructive techniques and challenging revision scenarios. As the region's premier adult reconstruction training program, fellows gain experience in a broad range of cases that prepare them for both academic and private practice careers.

The Joint Replacement Center at Ascension Sacred Heart has been accredited for over a decade by The Joint Commission and is also accredited for Hip Fracture treatment. It recently received Advanced Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement. 

Ascension Sacred Heart has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals for advanced orthopedic care for10 years consecutive years.

Faculty

Our faculty members are dedicated educators, accomplished surgeons, and innovators in the field of adult reconstruction. Fellows work closely with experienced orthopedic specialists who bring diverse expertise in primary joint replacement, revision arthroplasty, complex reconstruction, and emerging surgical technologies. Program faculty includes:

• Kurt Morrison, DO Fellowship Director
• Jean Dabezies, MD Fellowship Co-director
• Scott Stewart, DO contributing faculty 

Faculty mentorship extends beyond the operating room, providing guidance in clinical decision-making, research, professional development, and career planning. This close collaboration fosters an environment where fellows can refine their surgical skills while developing the confidence and judgment necessary for independent practice.

Graduates of the Adult Reconstruction Fellowship have gone on to successful careers across the country, contributing to the advancement of orthopedic care in academic medical centers, private practice groups, and health systems.

The program's alumni network reflects a tradition of excellence, leadership, and lifelong learning. Through rigorous training and meaningful mentorship, fellows develop the expertise needed to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and advance the field of adult reconstruction.

Technology and innovation

Fellows gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies that are shaping the future of joint replacement surgery. Exposure to innovative techniques and state-of-the-art surgical platforms enhances precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Training opportunities may include:

• Robotic-assisted joint replacement
• Computer-assisted surgical navigation
• Advanced imaging and preoperative planning tools
• Modern implant technologies
• Data-driven outcomes analysis and quality initiatives

Training encompasses a broad spectrum of contemporary arthroplasty approaches and technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery, direct anterior, posterior, and lateral hip approaches, as well as experience with multiple implant platforms. 

This diversity of surgical exposure allows fellows to develop technical versatility and an understanding of different philosophies and techniques, preparing them for a wide range of practice environments upon graduation. 

By combining technological innovation with exceptional surgical training, the fellowship prepares graduates to lead in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Why choose our fellowship

• The only Adult Reconstruction Fellowship in the region
• High-volume operative experience
• Diverse and complex case exposure
• Dedicated faculty mentorship
• Advanced surgical technology
• Strong academic and research opportunities
• Proven preparation for successful orthopedic careers

Join a program committed to advancing the science and art of adult reconstruction while developing the next generation of orthopedic leaders.