ACVS Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery

A founding fellow in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) who has obtained additional training and experience in MIS beyond surgery residency training; demonstrates expertise in MIS; and devotes a major portion of their professional effort to research and to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients undergoing MIS therapies. Founding fellow status was achieved in the following disciplines:

  • Small Animal Orthopedics (arthroscopy and fracture repair)
  • ​Small Animal Soft Tissue (laparoscopy and thoracoscopy)
  • Large Animal Orthopedics (arthroscopy, tenoscopy, bursoscopy, and fracture repair)
  • Large Animal Soft Tissue (laparoscopy and thoracoscopy)

List of ACVS Founding Fellows and Fellows, MIS

View 2024 fellowship training opportunities

ACVS Fellowship Training Centers

ACVS-approved fellowship training centers provide specialized training in minimally invasive surgery. The training program is designed for ACVS Diplomates and veterinarians who have completed a residency at an ACVS Registered Residency Training Program. Both the fellow candidate who is pursuing training in MIS and the training institution must comply with the applicable minimum training standards. Fellow candidates must submit the training registration form and registration fee to the ACVS office within 30 days of starting the fellowship training program. Contact the program representative for information about the fellowship training centers.

MIS Small Animal Orthopedics Fellowship Program — Approved Training Centers

MIS Small Animal Soft Tissue Fellowship Program — Approved Training Centers

MIS Large Animal Orthopedics Fellowship Program — Approved Training Center

For information about the fellowship training center, please contact the program representative listed below:

MIS Large Animal Soft Tissue Program — Approved Training Centers

For information about the fellowship training center, please contact the program representative listed below:

Establishing an ACVS Fellowship Training Center

ACVS Diplomates interested in establishing a fellowship training center in MIS in one of the following disciplines should send the completed application form to the ACVS office or to the chair of the fellowship oversight program listed below.

ACVS Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Oversight Committees

The Fellowship Oversight Committee is responsible for monitoring the fellowship program and for providing status reports to the Fellowship Committee on training centers, training candidates, and requests for program modifications. For questions regarding the MIS Fellowship Programs, contact the chair of the applicable fellowship program.

  • MIS Small Animal Orthopedics Fellowship Oversight Committee Chair: Dr. Brian Beale
  • MIS Small Animal Soft Tissue Fellowship Oversight Committee Chair: Dr. Ingrid Balsa
  • MIS Large Animal Orthopedics Fellowship Oversight Committee Chair: Dr. Kyla Ortved
  • MIS Large Animal Soft Tissue Fellowship Oversight Committee Chair: Dr. David G. Wilson

Volunteering to serve on a Fellowship Oversight Committee

The Fellowship Oversight Committees welcomes volunteers! Serving on the Fellowship Oversight Committee is a three-year commitment, with the possibility of reappointment. Fellows or Founding Fellows interested in serving on a Fellowship Oversight Committee should notify the ACVS office or the chair of the applicable Fellowship Oversight Committee by March 31. In April, the Fellowship Oversight Committee submits its nomination of volunteers to the Fellowship Committee for recommendation to the ACVS Board of Regents.