Participation in the 2023 ASES – KSES Exchange Travelling Fellowship Program

These days, as the collar is wrapped tightly against the cold wind in the morning and evening, and I gaze upon the first snowfall, it strikes me that 2023 is swiftly drawing to a close.
First and foremost, I express my gratitude to the International Cooperation Committee of the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society for affording me the opportunity to reflect upon a delightful and fulfilling month during my traveling fellowship in the United States, marking a precious conclusion to the year. Thanks to the chairman, executives, and members of the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society, I had the honor of being selected as a KSES American traveling fellow in 2023. During the four-week period from September 13 to October 15, 2023, I had the privilege of visiting several clinics in the United States, all of which were recommended by the American Shoulder and Elbow Society with Professor Jung-han Kim at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital.
The initial leg of our itinerary commenced with a visit to Dr. Stephanie Muh at Henry Ford West Bloomfield in Detroit. Dr. Stephanie Muh, who had previously visited Korea as part of the Asia Exchange Fellowship in 2022, warmly welcomed us, reminiscing about the delightful memories from her time in Korea. During our two-day stay at Henry Ford Hospital, our focus was primarily on surgical observation. We had the opportunity to witness Dr. Stephanie Muh's passionate approach to her work, noting her meticulous use of navigation techniques aimed at minimizing surgical errors in patients with glenoid bone defects.
The second itinerary took us to Traverse City in Northern Michigan, where we visited Dr. Christopher Chuinard. Meeting Dr. Chuinard was a delightful experience, as he proved to be a wonderful doctor who exuded positivity and displayed utmost dedication to his work.
Dr. Chuinard graciously provided us with the opportunity to observe the outpatient clinic at the Great Lakes Orthopedic Center. During our time there, he went into detailed explanations of arthroscopic long thoracic nerve release. Additionally, he generously allowed us to participate in a hands-on experience, performing shoulder arthroplasty surgery using the shoulder invitations prosthesis at the Cadaver lab. This practical exposure added significant depth to our learning experience.
During the third itinerary, we visited Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, and had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Thomas Throckmorton and Dr. Brolin. Campbell Clinic holds significant recognition for us as 'Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics' TEXT, boasting a rich history and tradition spanning about 115 years. Over the course of two days at Campbell Clinic, we not only observed surgeries in the operating room but also actively participated in conference meetings, where we had the opportunity to present in front of the esteemed medical professionals.
The subsequent week took us to the University Hospital of Chicago and Cleveland Clinic in succession.
During my visit to the University Hospital of Chicago, Dr. Lewis Shi shared insights into his treatment approach for patients with peri-prosthetic joint infections. He also demonstrated his own metal frame used in creating PROSTALAC spacers.
Upon reaching Cleveland Clinic, my experience began with active participation in an academic seminar and journal meeting from the very first day. This provided a valuable platform for presentations and discussions. Additionally, through the surgical observations led by Dr. Eric Ricchetti and Dr. Ho, I gained firsthand exposure to Cleveland Orthopedic Clinic's distinctive methods in arthroplasty surgery. Notably, the technique of ensuring a broad field of view through meticulous capsulectomy left a lasting impression.
In the subsequent our itinerary, we visited the University Hospital of San Francisco and Scottsdale in Arizona to attend the ASES annual meeting. The University Hospital of San Francisco stood out as a clinic deeply involved in the research and treatment of sports injuries. Dr. Ben Ma, serving as the team doctor for the San Francisco Giants, generously shared his expertise with us. Notably, we had the unique experience of attending home games of the Giants together.
During our time at the University Hospital of San Francisco, Dr. Sara Edwards extended exceptional care to us, despite her demanding schedule. Her attentiveness contributed significantly to our positive experience at the clinic.

 

During the Welcome Reception of the 2023 ASES annual meeting, we had the pleasure of meeting numerous distinguished professors associated with ASES. It was a particularly enjoyable occasion as Chairman Jae Chul Yoo and Professor Sang-jin Shin personally visited from Korea to partake in the presentations. The presence of these esteemed individuals added to the overall positive atmosphere, creating a memorable and engaging experience for all.
The conference was marked by intense discussions on a variety of topics, leaving a lasting impression. It was remarkable to witness thorough debates not only on clinically controversial subjects but also on the strategic direction that ASES should pursue moving forward. The depth of these discussions showcased the commitment of the participants to advancing knowledge and shaping the future trajectory of ASES.
The final week commenced with a visit to the Hawkins Clinic in Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Pill demonstrated adept techniques for addressing Glenoid bone deficiency, showcasing the use of a resected humeral head or allogeneic femoral head in patients with Glenoid bone defects. Furthermore, Dr. Mike Kissenberth provided a detailed explanation of various methods to achieve the appropriate tension for shoulder arthroplasty.
The four-week visit to the United States culminated with participation in "Advanced shoulder arthroscopy: The Cowboy way" in Naples, Florida. The advanced course took place at the Arthrex Convention Center, where I also had the opportunity to engage in a Cadaver workshop, adding a hands-on dimension to the learning experience.

 

In the beginning, being chosen as a KSES American traveling fellow brought me immense joy and excitement. However, it also brought about a sense of uncertainty as I pondered how to best prepare for the upcoming experience.
The resumption of the fellowship program after 4 years due to COVID-19 had its own challenges. Coordinating schedules for each hospital to be visited via email, filling out necessary documents, and arranging logistics details such as flights, accommodations, and rental cars in person was quite a challenge. Fortunately, Professor Jung-han Kim, my companion on this itinerary, and various members within the KSES provided invaluable advice. Additionally, the ASES secretariat and host hospitals graciously offered guidance, addressing any questions I had during the preparation process. Thanks to their support, I was able to craft a productive and enriching schedule.
Completing the Traveling Fellowship brought about a multitude of emotions and reflections.
In this program, the ASES directly selected the hospitals to visit. While it was disappointing not to meet Thay Q. Lee and some other renowned professors, I still had the opportunity to experience the expertise and influence of ASES members.
Despite the relatively brief duration, I had a meaningful experience meeting and conversing with ASES members in person. I extend my gratitude to KSES and the numerous members who provided me with this valuable opportunity.
I would like to thank the American professors for giving us a warm welcome everywhere we went and giving their best regards to several Korean professors.
Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Jung-han Kim, who, despite the tight schedule, consistently gave me warm advice throughout the difficult journey, became a reliable older brother, and showed his passion for academics throughout American schedule.

Sung Il Wang, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Republic of Korea