Goals
The primary goals of our fellowship program are to provide state-of-the-art training in a collaborative environment that emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of the full spectrum of adult and pediatric spinal conditions, to provide a rigorous academic and scholarly experience in which the fellow participates in clinical, translational, or outcomes-based research under the dedicated guidance of a faculty mentor, and to develop future leaders in spinal surgery who possess the technical skill, intellectual curiosity, and professional integrity to advance patient care and shape the future of the specialty.
Core Faculty
State-of-the-art training is provided by leading orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine experts at UAMS who combine their years of expertise and experience with the latest treatment modalities to offer the most innovative spine care available.
Wayne Bruffett, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
David Bumpass, M.D.
Orthopaedic Spine
Division Director
Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
Mark Feger, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
Samuel C. Overley, M.D.
Fellowship Director
Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
T. Glenn Pait, M.D.
Director, Jackson T. Stephens Spine Institute
Spine Neurosurgery
Hector Soriano Baron, M.D.
Fellowship Co-Director
Neurosurgery Spine Division Director
Spine Neurosurgery
Advanced Clinical and Surgical Training
Our program is structured to provide the opportunity to master the clinical and surgical skills required for a modern spine practice. Approximately 80 percent of the fellow’s time is devoted to operative care, with the remaining 20 percent focused on nonoperative care.
The fellow is trained to deliver comprehensive spinal care through:
- Patient evaluation and diagnosis
- Advanced clinical decision making
- Operative management
- Preoperative and postoperative care
- Nonoperative management and care
- Follow-up evaluation
Broad Case Volume and Pathology
The fellow will be deeply involved in an anticipated 350-400 operative cases over the year, gaining exposure and experience with a diverse range of pathology, including:
- Primary and revision degenerative problems of the cervical and lumbar spine
- Adult and pediatric complex deformity correction and revision surgery, including sagittal misalignment, scoliosis, kyphosis, and neuromuscular/congenital disorders
- Spine tumors, both primary and metastatic disease
- Complex spinal trauma, including spinal cord injuries at the state’s only level 1 trauma center
Exposure to the Spine by Region
Lumbar
Cervical
Thoracic
Exposure to the Spine by Diagnostic Category
Pediatric
Deformity
Adult
Deformity
Degenerative
Trauma
Tumor
The UAMS Spine Surgery Fellowship provides robust, hands-on experience with the most advanced surgical technology available, preparing fellows to lead a modern, high-tech spine practice. With exposure to approximately 1,500 new patient referrals annually, the fellow is an integral part of all treatment decisions, with operative responsibility assigned commensurate with demonstrated ability. The fellow will gain proficiency through the routine utilization cutting-edge surgical techniques and leading technology such as:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Endoscopic spinal surgery
- 360-spinal fusion
- O-arm intra-operative stereotactic navigation and robotic technology
- Direct and anterior-to-psoas lateral lumbar and thoracolumbar techniques
- Traditional methods of fusion
Academic Curriculum and Research
Beyond clinical experience, the Spine Surgery Fellowship provides an academic curriculum that includes weekly indications conferences, spine-specific journal club meetings and lectures, and clinical focus areas.
The fellow will have dedicated time for research activities with the expectation of at least one publishable work during their year with us. Clinical and lab research opportunities include a state-of-the-art gait and 3D motion-force detection laboratory, top of the line MTS high force multi-vector testing system for biomechanics, real-time PROMIS patient reported outcome data, and several trauma database repositories.
The spine fellow also plays a role as a leader and educator. With both orthopedic and neurosurgery residents and medical students assigned to the team, the fellowship provides invaluable opportunities to refine leadership and teaching skills by guiding and mentoring the next generation of physicians.
AO Affiliation
This fellowship is an AO Spine North America Fellowship Site, which extends the following funded opportunities in addition to several AO Spine North America academic opportunities throughout the year:
- Introductory Fellowship Course – The fellow is invited to attend the AOSNA Introductory Fellowship Course to be held in late summer/early fall of the fellowship year. This educational course is designed to provide early interaction between the fellow, peers, and AO Spine members and faculty.
- Annual Fellows Forum – AOSNA fellows and the Program Director or faculty sponsor will be invited to attend an annual AOSNA Fellows Forum held in the spring of the fellowship year. The fellow(s) will be asked to report on their research activities and also give a presentation on their research projects.
- AO Spine Membership – The fellow is given a complimentary membership to AO Spine.
Hospitals
Our spine surgeons operate in The Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital (TOSH) and at the main UAMS Hospital on campus, as well as at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. All facilities are within 1 mile of each other. Outpatient spine care is provided in the Jack T. Stephens Spine Institute Neurosurgery Clinic, the Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital Specialty Clinic, and at UAMS Health clinic locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Conway. Pediatric services are provided at Arkansas Children’s Hospital clinics.
The Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital
The Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital at UAMS stands as the most specialized of its kind in Arkansas, offering patients access to the latest technology and most advanced care, all housed within a modern, four-story structure, featuring over 158,000 square feet dedicated entirely to orthopaedic and spine care.
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UAMS Medical Center
UAMS Medical Center is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. It is part of UAMS Health, the statewide health system of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) which is Arkansas’ only health sciences university. UAMS is under the flagship of the University of Arkansas System.
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Arkansas Childrens’ Hospital
Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a pediatric hospital with a Level I Trauma Center. It is among the largest pediatric hospitals in the United States, serving infants, children, teens, and young adults from birth to age 21. ACH is affiliated with UAMS and serves as a teaching hospital with the UAMS College of Medicine‘s Department of Pediatrics.
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2025-26 Fellow: Jacob Taunton, DO
A native of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Jacob Taunton received his medical training at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Auburn, AL. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, AL. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Taunton enjoys hunting, fishing, and sports-related activities. He also likes to read, travel, and spend time with his family.
Life in Little Rock
From outdoor activities like hiking, golf, and cycling, to the performing arts, food festivals, concerts, sporting events, and annual celebrations, Little Rock has it all. The city’s vibrant culture, rich history, and beautiful natural surroundings make it a unique and enriching place to live.
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Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions about the UAMS Spine Surgery Fellowship.
Paula Banzuela Balcom, MBA/HCM, BSHA/HIS, AAHA
Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation
Phone: 801-587-5457
Fax: 801-587-5411
Email: PBanzuelabalcom@uams.edu
