Our Fellows

Rafael Garcia de Oliveira, MD

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Orthopedic Residency: University of São Paulo, Brazil
UC Irvine Spine fellowship offers a very well-rounded and truly Ortho/Neuro combined program. It brings a good balance and a high volume of degenerative, trauma, tumor, and deformity cases. The faculty have different focuses and practices that enrich the training and expose the fellow to different ways of performing multiple procedures. They are all great mentors, very respectful, and entirely concentrated on providing the best training possible throughout the year. There is a fair exposure to enabling technology like robots, navigation, and modern MIS procedures, such as endoscopic spine surgery and also to traditional open, free-hand, and fluoroscopy-based techniques. The progressive and constant increase in autonomy prepares the fellow to have confidence in starting their career both in academics or private practice. There are plenty of opportunities for courses, congresses, and cadaver labs during the year.

Neda F. Gilmartin, MD

Hometown: Brussels, Belgium
Orthopaedic Residency: Brussels, Belgium
As someone who completed their orthopedic residency in Brussels, Belgium, and now calling Laguna Hills home, my experience at UCI Spine Fellowship has been a journey of growth and discovery.
What I appreciate most about this fellowship is the exposure to diverse approaches in treating spine pathologies. The blend of orthopedic and neurosurgical expertise has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of spinal care, allowing me to explore various techniques and strategies in spine surgery.
The guidance of the attendings has been instrumental in navigating complex cases and refining my surgical skills.
My time at UCI Spine Fellowship has been transformative, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it has provided me to grow both personally and professionally.

Vincent S. Miseo, MD

Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Orthopaedic Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center
I have been impressed with the diversity of cases I’ve gotten to take part in this year, from complex revision deformity, tumor and trauma, to outpatient endoscopic spine surgery. Working with both neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgeons has offered a variety of perspectives on operative and nonoperative management throughout the entire spine. The attendings here are not only great surgeons, but amazing mentors who I will be able to rely on as I progress through my career.