Thank you to Onkos Surgical for their past support of our fellows. Unfortunately, this program is currently on pause. The 2025 recipient spotlight is included below:
Mahmoud Ayche, MD
I am pleased to share a brief summary of my experience during the MSTS Traveling Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. This opportunity allowed me to engage with a leading orthopedic oncology team and gain firsthand exposure to the multidisciplinary management of complex sarcoma cases. The insights and skills acquired during this fellowship will have a lasting impact on my training and future practice.
My name is Mahmoud Ayche, and I am an international medical graduate currently completing a fellowship in musculoskeletal oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. I had the privilege of being awarded a traveling fellowship, which allowed me to spend one week at Massachusetts General Hospital shadowing Dr. Raskin in both clinic and the operating room.
This was an incredibly enriching experience. I participated in in-depth discussions on the management of complex sarcoma cases and had the opportunity to observe several unique and challenging surgical procedures, including the resection of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the brachial plexus and navigation-guided fixation of pathological pelvic fractures.
I gained valuable insights into the team’s approach to complex prosthetic reconstruction following osteosarcoma resections, particularly in restoring the continuity and function of soft tissue stabilizers. Additionally, I took part in a journal club focused on the management of infections following soft tissue sarcoma surgery which further deepened my understanding of post-operative challenges and solutions.
I am deeply satisfied with this experience. It has broadened my perspective on sarcoma care and provided me with knowledge and techniques that I intend to incorporate into my future clinical practice.
Megan Hsu, MD
Thank you for this opportunity to complete a travelling fellowship. I was able to observe educational conferences, clinics, and operative procedures. Specific practices I will now incorporate at my institution include the “Pre-cement Pause” for safety to mitigate the risk of bone cement implantation syndrome. I was also able to get valuable input on my future planned lecture series topics for residents at my institution. I was able to observe challenging operative cases and ask questions regarding technique and implant selection. During case conference, I was exposed to new surgical techniques such as resecting the distal radius and performing a wrist fusion for advanced distal radius giant cell tumors. I was also able to learn about a different surgical technique with tandem reconstruction of the femoral diaphysis using an intercalary prosthesis and a fibular free flap. This opportunity will also continue to benefit my future career through foraging strong relationships with future colleagues and collaborators.
Sarah Ballatori, MD
I’m very grateful to Onkos and the MSTS Traveling Fellowship for supporting my week-long experience at UCLA. I chose UCLA for its outstanding orthopedic oncology team—three attendings with different backgrounds and leadership roles who together offer a truly well-rounded perspective on sarcoma care.
Dr. Bernthal not only provided great clinical teaching but also took the time to show me around UCLA Santa Monica Hospital and walk me through how their Orthopedic Oncology division operates. I was especially struck by how closely their multidisciplinary team works together, with radiology and pathology right on site and deeply integrated into the Orthopaedic department’s daily workflow.
During my visit, I saw a number of interesting cases, including a rotationplasty fracture treated with a pediatric lateralentry intramedullary nail. Dr. Christ’s arthroplasty-focused practice was another highlight—particularly an antibiotic-coated endofusion case—and I learned a lot from Dr. Wessel, who performed a below-knee amputation with a combination of TMR and RPNI.
Overall, this fellowship was a fantastic addition to my training. It gave me the chance to see how another leading center approaches complex sarcoma care and to appreciate both the similarities and subtle differences between institutions.