Message From Our Fellowship Director
Vivo Cura Health offers a unique opportunity to receive Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine (ISMM) training through our North American Spine Society (NASS) recognized fellowship program. This is the first Canadian NASS fellowship. In our program, you will train in a privademic setting as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and use evidence-based practices to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal and spine pain patients and engage in teaching and research. Â
The 12-month Vivo Cura ISMM fellowship aims to train future leaders in the field. To do so, we offer strong mentorship and in-depth training focusing on fluoroscopic and US-guided procedures and the research behind them. Scholarly activity is expected and supported.Â
Ideally suited for those who have successfully completed a Canadian Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency and are seeking training in:
- Multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach to ISMM
- Running a successful practice in privademic and socialized healthcare system
- Diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and spine pain
- Scholarly activity
Thank you for your interest in our fellowship program. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Taylor Burnham, D.O., M.S.
Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Founding Director, Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship, Vivo Cura HealthÂ
We will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year on January 22nd, 2025. Early submission of application materials is encouraged. All applications should be submitted through the NASS Application Portal at https://www.spine.org/match/mc/ISMM2023.Â
We will participate in the North American Spine Society (NASS) Match for the 2025 application cycle (for a start date in 2026). Match details can be found at https://www.spine.org/education/ismm.
Application Requirements
- Successful completion of a Canadian PM&R-accredited residency
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal Statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Photograph
Dates
Interviews: March 12th – July 12th, 2025
Rank lists opened: July 1st, 2025 – July 20th, 2025 (rank lists close at 8PM CST)
Fellow Selection: July 25th, 2025. Match results are made available to programs and applicants. Programs & Applicants will be provided with a list of vacancies and may communicate directly in order to fill vacancies.
Fellowship Training: August 1st, 2026 – July 31st, 2027
If you have additional questions, please email us at spinefellowship@vivocura.ca.Â
The Vivo Cura Health Interventional Spine Fellowship is a NASS-recognized fellowship that provides the unique opportunity to be involved early in your spine career with exposure to NASS (North American Spine Society).
As a fellow, you will have the option to attend the following conferences:
- North American Spine Society Evidence and Technology Summit
- North American Spine Society Annual Meeting
- Spine Intervention Society Annual Scientific Meeting
- Other relevant medical society meetings depending on interest
You will also have access to cadaver labs to practice neuromodulation and radiofrequency neurotomy procedures.
Stipend and Benefits:
- Salary: $90,000 CAD + health benefits
- Education funds: $3,000 CAD
Interventional Spine – Training & Associate Fellowship Director: Robert Burnham, MD
The primary goal is to cultivate the next generation of leaders in Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine. This program is designed to impart specialized knowledge and skills in managing individuals with spine and musculoskeletal disorders.
The Spine Fellowship Incorporates:
- Exposure to acute, sub-acute, and chronic spine and musculoskeletal pathology
- Extensive experience in outpatient spine clinics with direct attending supervision, and progressive responsibility for independent work in the fellow’s continuity clinic
- Opportunity to learn fluoroscopically guided spinal injections and ultrasound-guided injections under direct attending supervision. The mix is approximately 30% cervical, 5% thoracic, 60% lumbar, and 5% appendicular. Experience includes spinal injections from upper cervical to sacral levels, radiofrequency neurotomy, orthobiologics, and neuromodulation. Exposure to cadaver courses is available and encouraged.
- Exposure to shadowing spine-specialized physical therapists
- Maintain and sharpen electrodiagnostic skills (optional)
Didactic Education
- Core Fellowship Didactic Lecture Series: Spinal anatomy, kinesiology, diagnostics, therapeutics.
- Spinal procedure case conference
- Journal club
- Ultrasound Bootcamp
Research Opportunities
- Adopt and work on impactful spine/musculoskeletal research projects, supported by strong faculty mentorshipÂ
- Prepare and give grand rounds style presentations
- Publish peer-reviewed journal articles and research abstracts, supported by strong faculty mentorship
- Publish textbook chapters
- Present at National/International meetings
Fellowship Program Directors
PM&R ULTRASOUND SUPERVISING FACULTY
