Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship

About the Fellowship

The Western Orthopaedic and Rose Medical Center Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship is focused on providing an orthopedic fellow with the opportunity to develop critical diagnostic and treatment skills to excel as a shoulder and elbow surgical specialist. The fellowship is based at a high-volume practice in Denver, Colorado. The surgeons perform over 800 shoulder and elbow cases per year. Approximately 35% of the cases are primary and revision arthroplasty, 50% are arthroscopic shoulder surgery (including cuff repair and instability procedures), and 15% are elbow procedures and humerus fracture (proximal and distal).

The fellow will be the only individual being trained at this site. The fellow will have one-on-one time with each of the faculty members which will allow the fellow to gain clinical and surgical skills specific to the faculty member’s expertise. This will provide the fellow an opportunity to understand different clinical and surgical approaches to common shoulder and elbow pathology. 

In addition to clinical and surgical education, the fellow will participate in the following meetings:

• monthly case conference discussing patient evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options;
• quarterly journal club;
• quarterly sports medicine case conference (Denver metro area physicians); and
• weekly complex orthopedic case conference (optional attendance)

Research Opportunities

Our faculty is committed to research and has been collecting shoulder arthroplasty outcomes for over 14 years. In addition, the site participates in multi-site national studies as well as FDA monitored clinical trials. The fellow will be expected to be involved in clinical research, working closely with our research personnel 2 days per month. The fellow will identify a research topic to manage as well as submit two papers, as first author, to a peer reviewed journal. In addition, there will be ample opportunity for training and collaboration with multiple private cadaver lab training facilities located in the metro Denver area.

Current research projects at Western Orthopaedics Research and Education Foundation include:

• Analysis of 5-year radiographs in patients with canal sparing anatomic shoulder arthroplasty with further correlation to outcomes.
• Shoulder arthroplasty options in young patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis
• Superior capsular reconstruction outcomes
• Influence of component combinations on outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
• Effect of arthroplasty planning technology on complications and outcome

Opportunity to Observe Pascal Boileau in Nice, France

Through his own fellowship training, Dr. Hatzidakis has maintained a working relationship with Professor Pascal Boileau of Nice, France. As such, the fellow may have the opportunity to use the vacation time allowed during this fellowship to travel to Nice and observe Dr. Boileau in his clinical practice (this is an optional opportunity and expenses related to this will be the fellow’s responsibility).

Meet our Faculty

Armodios Hatzidakis, MD (fellowship director)

Benjamin Sears, MD

Rajesh Bazaz, MD

Sean Baran, MD

Meet Our Fellow

Dr. Hayden Schuette, DO returns to Denver as the Western Orthopaedics and Rose Medical Center Shoulder and Elbow fellow. Originally from San Diego, CA, Dr. Schuette first came to Denver for his undergraduate education at the University of Denver, where he played on the NCAA Division I lacrosse team and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance. During that time, he became interested in medicine, and particularly orthopedic surgery, after undergoing shoulder surgery for a sports-related injury. Dr. Schuette stayed in Colorado to obtain his medical degree at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school he completed his orthopedic surgery residency in Columbus, OH at OhioHealth/Doctor’s Hospital.

During his orthopedic residency, Dr. Schuette received several awards and accolades, and was voted as the 2022 Orthopedic Trauma Resident of the Year by his attending physicians and staff. Throughout his training, Dr. Schuette developed a strong interest in research and looks forward to continuing his involvement in research during his time as a fellow.

In his free time, Dr. Schuette enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children. He also enjoys snowboarding, surfing, and coaching and playing lacrosse. Dr. Schuette and his family look forward to spending a great year back in Colorado!

Previous Fellows

About Denver, Colorado

Denver is a vibrant city offering that will provide numerous options for your leisure time. The restaurant scene is constantly evolving, offering extensive options in neighborhoods throughout Denver. The Denver Center for Performing Arts offers plays, national musical groups, and a world-class symphony. Denver’s sports scene includes professional football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and baseball as well as numerous opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast whether it be skiing, local hiking, flyfishing in blue-ribbon waters, or climbing one of the state’s 58 fourteen-thousand-foot peaks.