AAHKS Fellowship Recognition Program

The AAHKS Fellowship Recognition Program sets forth a common set of standards for adult reconstruction fellowship training programs and a process for recognizing adherence to such standards.

Recognition Master Document Resources for Programs

Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Recognition

This program aims to ensure that all adult reconstruction fellowship training programs provide the highest quality educational and training experience, supporting AAHKS’s core value of producing highly skilled hip and knee surgeons. The program includes a common set of standards that all arthroplasty programs must meet and a formal process for recognizing adherence to such standards. Its overarching goal is to ensure that fellowships have a solid educational structure, produce high quality graduates and minimize the administrative burden on programs. Improvements to the oversight and structure of fellowship training will have a positive impact on programs, trainees and the profession.

Between 2024 and 2026, all current and incoming adult reconstruction fellowships must obtain AAHKS Recognition, which will become a requirement for participation in the April 2026 SF Match. Instructions for the application process and program requirments are outlined in the Recognition Program Master Document.

The Recognition Program was developed in 2023 by leadership and representatives from AAHKS, The Hip Society, The Knee Society and both small and large fellowship programs across North America. It is overseen by the AAHKS Fellowship Oversight Committee.

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Recognized Programs

The list of the 79 fellowship programs to acheive AAHKS Recognition is posted here: AAHKS-Recognized Program List.

2025-2026 Timeline:

*Subject to change

Jan. 1-April 1, 2025	Application window for current/in-progress program applicants
June 1-July 31, 2025	New hip & knee fellowship program application window
June 15	AAHKS Board of Trustees action on current Recognition applications.
July 1	Final decisions & formal letters sent to current applicants.
July-August 2025	AAHKS Fellowship Oversight Committee to review any applications to establish new hip & knee fellowship training programs.

Resources for Programs:

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Universal Interview Invitation Date

Introduced in 2024, this aims to streamline interview invitation & acceptance processes for both applicants and fellowship programs by encouraging programs to release their interview invitations to applicants on the same date each year. Read the full policy.

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Online Application

Now accepting applications! Log into the online portal to apply for AAHKS Fellowship Recognition. Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2025.

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The Match

AAHKS Fellowship Recognition will be required for adult reconstructions participating in the Orthopaedic Match beginning in 2026. Learn more about the match here.

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Fellowship Program List

Review institution contact information including website addresses for details on each program. Go to the AAHKS Hip/Knee Fellowship program listing. Detailed descriptions of these programs are also listed in the Postgraduate Orthopaedic Fellowships online directory published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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Curriculum & Resources

The AAHKS Fellowship Education Committee maintains a library of resources for adult reconstruction programs, such as program guidelines, sample reading lists, curriculum outlines and more. Access the guidelines here.

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Have questions?

Contact AAHKS at fellowship@aahks.org with any questions you have about Fellowship Recognition.