Introducing the 2026 APKASS-AOSSM Traveling Fellows
We are deeply honored to have been selected as the 2026 APKASS-AOSSM Traveling Fellows. Our team is made up of four orthopedic surgeons from across Asia, and interestingly, none of us knew one another before this journey began—a group of strangers about to become close colleagues and friends over the coming weeks.
Leading our team as our "Godfather" is Jing Yi Mi, President of Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Soochow University, from Wuxi, China. He is the Chief of Department of Sports Medicine. Nestled in the eastern part of the country, Wuxi is a beautiful city renowned for its rich cultural heritage—famous for its fine silk, exquisite teapots, and delicate clay figurines.
Akira Tsujii comes from Osaka, Japan—a vibrant city celebrated for its abundance of sights and its beloved local cuisine. Akira is affiliated with the University of Osaka, home to one of the most active and respected orthopedic departments in all of Japan, under the accomplished leadership of Dr. Norimasa Nakamura.
Fan Zhang comes to us from Xuzhou, China, where he practices at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University.
Ming Wang from Singapore, Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore, where he also serves as the Director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship program.
Traveling from different corners of Asia, the four of us united for the very first time at LA airport, before continuing on together to Durham to officially kick off our traveling fellowship journey.
Stop 1 Duke Sports Medicine
Our journey kicked off in Durham, North Carolina, with Duke Sports Medicine as our very first stop. Despite the lingering effects of jet lag, excitement carried us through, and after a quick hotel check-in, we headed straight to the operating room to meet Amendola. We had the chance to observe him in action, including a tendon transfer and a high tibial osteotomy—a fantastic opportunity to learn firsthand from such a respected senior leader in the field of sports medicine. We closed out the evening with an axe-throwing party, complete with great food and even better company.
Our second day in Durham brought us into the OR with Brian Lau, where we observed both ACL reconstructions and rotator cuff repairs. That evening, we headed to Raleigh for a lively game show night that kept the energy high.
We then visited UNC alongside Ganesh, observing surgery there as well. The day's excitement carried into the night with an amazing go-karting outing—a brand-new experience for all of us and one we will not soon forget.
Our final day at Duke marked the close of the very first stop on our Traveling Fellowship. We got a chance to unwind on the pickleball court with Brian and Jon, followed by a tour of Duke's beautiful campus, including the football and basketball stadiums. From there, we tried our hand at skeet shooting—a Southern pastime and a first for every one of us.
We wrapped up our time at Duke with a farewell dinner alongside the program's outstanding leadership: Amendola, Dean Taylor (both past presidents of AOSSM), Jon Dickens, and Brian Lau. A wonderful way to close the first chapter of an already unforgettable fellowship journey.
Stop 2 William Beaumont
We owe a heartfelt thank you to our incredible hosts, Joe and James, whose hospitality and generosity made this visit truly special. Over the course of our stay, we had the privilege of observing a range of complex knee procedures alongside shoulder replacement surgeries and came away with valuable clinical insights from the talented Beaumont team. We also had the opportunity to present our own clinical experience during a special grand rounds session alongside Beaumont's residents and fellows, making for a rich exchange of knowledge on both sides.
What stood out most was Joe and James's genuine commitment to teaching. Joe went out of his way to organize a cadaveric course for medical students, giving them hands-on exposure that is hard to come by. We also had a great exchange of surgical techniques and experience around elbow UCL reconstruction and the Latarjet procedure, comparing notes and learning from each other's approaches.
Our time in Detroit was not confined to the hospital, either. One especially memorable day was spent lake fishing, with James at the helm as our captain and Joe patiently teaching us the ropes—by the end, every one of us had reeled in at least one fish. We also caught the spectacular Pre-Independence Day fireworks display in downtown Detroit, and honestly, the atmosphere felt far safer and more welcoming than the reputation downtown Detroit sometimes carries. The trip wrapped up with an unforgettable house party complete with a surprise "Elvis" appearance, drawing a great turnout of faculty, fellows, and residents alike.
Perhaps most touching of all, Joe invited us to meet his 90-year-old father—a gesture that made us feel less like visitors and more like part of his extended family.
We are deeply grateful for the friendships forged, the lessons learned, and the memories made during this stop on our journey.
Stop 3 Iowa City
Our third stop brought us to Iowa City, where we had the privilege of visiting the impressive new Iowa Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center. The state-of-the-art facility reflects the program’s strong commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research.
The academic exchange was a true highlight of our visit. We participated in two sessions of presentations, with both the APKASS fellows and the Iowa team sharing our clinical experiences, surgical techniques, and research interests. The discussions were interactive, insightful, and inspiring, providing valuable opportunities to learn from each other’s perspectives and approaches.
In the operating rooms, we observed a wide spectrum of complex sports medicine and reconstructive procedures, including hip arthroscopy, shoulder arthroplasty, and knee trochleoplasty, showcasing the breadth and expertise of the Iowa team.
A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding hosts—Brian Wolf, Matt Bollier, Robby Westermann, Barry McDonough, and Mike Rocca—for their incredible hospitality, generosity, and willingness to share their knowledge. Their passion for education and mentorship made our visit both memorable and enriching.
The fellowship experience extended well beyond the hospital. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at a beautiful lakeside home, where two of our fellows experienced tubing on the lake for the first time. We were also welcomed to another stunning property spanning 90 acres, where we spent time fishing, enjoying the peaceful countryside, and experiencing true Midwestern hospitality. These moments of friendship and cultural exchange are just as valuable as the academic learning.
Stop 4: Gulf Breeze, Florida
Our fourth stop took us to the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, a world-renowned orthopaedic and sports medicine center founded by Dr. James Andrews in 2004. It was inspiring to visit an institution that has made such a significant impact on sports medicine through its commitment to clinical excellence, research, and innovation.
One of the highlights was touring the institute’s impressive research facilities, including its regenerative medicine and biomechanics laboratories. We spent an entire afternoon in academic exchange, with research presentations from both teams, engaging discussions, and the sharing of ideas on current and future directions in sports medicine. These conversations were incredibly valuable and exemplified the true spirit of the travelling fellowship.
We also had the opportunity to observe surgeries at the ambulatory surgery center, gaining further insights into the team’s efficient workflow and surgical expertise.
A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding hosts, Adam Anz and Steve Jordan, for their exceptional hospitality, generosity, and willingness to share their knowledge throughout our visit.
Beyond the academic and clinical program, we experienced the unique lifestyle of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Steve kindly gave us a memorable boat ride across the beautiful waters of Gulf Breeze back to our hotel—an unforgettable way to end the day. We were also warmly welcomed into Adam’s stunning beachfront home, where the breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf provided the perfect setting to relax and continue our conversations outside the hospital.
As another incredible stop comes to an end, we are grateful for the friendships formed, the knowledge shared, and the experiences gained.
Stop 5: San Antonio, Texas 🇺
Our fifth stop brought us to UT Health San Antonio, where we were warmly hosted by Dr. Thomas DeBerardino and his outstanding team.
We had the opportunity to observe a variety of complex sports medicine procedures, with particular emphasis on the center’s extensive experience in cartilage restoration and the use of osteochondral allografts for large osteochondral defects. It was fascinating to see the team’s expertise and well-established clinical workflow in managing these challenging cases.
Beyond the operating room, we enjoyed engaging in academic exchanges with the UT Health faculty and residents. An afternoon of case discussions, research presentations, and collaborative brainstorming generated many valuable ideas and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing sports medicine.
A special highlight was visiting the San Antonio Spurs training facility, which was guided by Leah Brown, the Spurs’ team physician. Learning about the medical care of a professional NBA team and discussing athlete management, injury prevention, and return-to-play strategies provided unique insights into elite sports medicine.
The weekend offered some memorable experiences outside the hospital as well. We played an unforgettable round of golf at La Cantera Golf Club, the first full 18-hole round for all the traveling fellows—which made for plenty of laughs, friendly competition, and great camaraderie.
To cap off an incredible visit, we joined the celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day at a San Antonio Missions baseball game, followed by a fantastic concert and spectacular fireworks display. It was a wonderful way to experience American culture and hospitality together.
A heartfelt thank you to Thomas DeBerardino and everyone at UT Health San Antonio for their generous hospitality, excellent teaching, and friendship.
Stop 6 Utah
Our final stop of the traveling fellowship brought us to the beautiful University of Utah Health Sports Medicine program.
We had an incredible experience observing a wide range of complex sports medicine procedures, including shoulder, hip, and knee surgeries. A highlight was witnessing Stephen Aoki perform hip arthroscopy with periportal capsulotomy — a technically demanding procedure demonstrating precision and expertise in hip preservation surgery.
The academic exchange was equally valuable. We presented our ongoing research projects and shared challenging clinical cases with the Utah team. Justin Ernat also led an engaging clinical case discussion, allowing us to exchange perspectives on the management of complex sports injuries and the difficult decisions that come with treating high-level athletes.
Beyond the operating room and academic sessions, we enjoyed wonderful hospitality from the Utah faculty. We shared a memorable dinner surrounded by the breathtaking mountain scenery of Salt Lake City. The fellowship experience continued with a beautiful hike at Bloods Lake Trail, together with Stephen Aoki, Justin Ernat, and the Utah faculty, followed by dinner in the charming ski town atmosphere of Park City.
Salt Lake City left a lasting impression — a stunning valley surrounded by majestic mountains, combining natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a vibrant academic sports medicine community.
A truly memorable journey filled with learning, friendship, and inspiration.
Stop 7 Seattle
Our journey concluded at the AOSSM Annual Meeting in Seattle, the final stop of an unforgettable four-week APKASS–AOSSM Travelling Fellowship. It was the perfect culmination of an incredible month filled with academic exchange, surgical learning, professional networking, cultural experiences, and lifelong friendships.
We were honored to be invited to the AOSSM Leadership Dinner, where we had the opportunity to meet many of the leaders who have shaped the field of sports medicine. We received a warm welcome from AOSSM President Dr. Eric McCarty and Travelling Fellowship Committee Chair Dr. Grant Jones, whose hospitality made us feel truly welcomed as international fellows.
One of the highlights of the meeting was presenting our fellowship journey during the Travelling Fellowship Session, alongside the AOSSM–ESSKA Travelling Fellows. It was a privilege to share the experiences, lessons, and memorable moments from visiting outstanding sports medicine centers across the United States over the past four weeks.
Another special moment was attending the Magellan Society Reception, where Dr. Grant Jones presented us with our APKASS–AOSSM Travelling Fellowship certificates. It was a meaningful milestone and a fitting recognition of an extraordinary journey.
Beyond the scientific program, we also took the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Seattle, including a relaxing harbor cruise with stunning views of the waterfront and surrounding mountains.
The fellowship concluded with a wonderful closing night celebration at Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), where fellows, faculty, and friends came together one final time to celebrate the friendships, collaborations, and unforgettable memories created throughout the fellowship.
Following the meeting, we each began our journeys home, departing from San Francisco to our respective countries, carrying home not only new knowledge and fresh ideas, but also lifelong friendships and an invaluable international network.
This four-week travelling fellowship has been far more than a series of hospital visits. It has been an inspiring journey of learning from world-renowned mentors, exchanging ideas with colleagues across continents, and experiencing different healthcare systems and cultures. The knowledge gained, collaborations established, and friendships formed will undoubtedly continue to shape our clinical practice, research, teaching, and professional careers for years to come.
A heartfelt thank you to APKASS, AOSSM, all our gracious hosts, faculty members, and fellow travelling fellows for making this remarkable experience possible. It has been a tremendous honor to represent APKASS and be part of this exceptional fellowship.
Four weeks, countless memories, lifelong friendships, and endless inspiration. Until we meet again!
