Surgeons aren't often chosen to participate in the John N. Insall Traveling Fellowship the first time they apply for consideration, but that wasn't the case for Dr. Stephen Duncan, assistant professor of orthpaedic surgery. Beginning in October, Duncan will travel to 11 centers, in 10 cities, across two countries to learn more about orthpaedic surgery and research.

Duncan has been an orthpaedic surgeon for four years, with all of his experience happening at UK Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. When a mentor suggested Duncan apply for the fellowship, to learn more about leadership and to meet innovators in the field, he wasn't sure of his chances of being selected. Each year, only four fellows are chosen from applications that are submitted from across the country and around the world. Duncan was among the four chosen as a 2018 fellow.

During his fellowship, Duncan will be responsible for developing and completing a research project, which he will then present at national meetings. Something he's interested in pursuing as a research topic are the benefits and detractors of traditional and contemporary total knee designs. He hopes to identify which design patients identify as feeling more "normal" or similar to a healthy knee.

Being away from patients for a little over a month will be difficult for Duncan. "The hard part will be going from a treating role to a watching role," he said. However, he knows his patients will be well taken care of thanks to his resident, physician's assistant and partners at UK HealthCare who will continue to see and treat patients in his absence.

This prestigious fellowship will allow Duncan to learn from "top gun" providers, develop his surgical technique and improve his skills as a physician and researcher.

Since 2002, a group of four international surgeons have traveled around North America for one month to the most recognized total joint replacement programs. This fellowship continues to foster education and research, with a sharing of ideas, techniques and camaraderie between the traveling fellows and The Knee Society members.