The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery has relaunched its Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Fellowship, providing an advanced training opportunity for trainees seeking specialized expertise in spine care.
The fellowship is offered under the leadership of Associate Professor Jakub Godzik, M.D., MS. The program equips fellows with intensive training in cutting-edge spine surgery techniques, research mentorship and 
leadership development.
"We have structured our fellowship to be completely focused on each fellow's interests and needs,” Godzik says. “We are strongly positioned across the wide breadth of spine surgery, from deformity to minimally invasive techniques, and committed to development of advanced clinical skills for independent practice.”
Anchored in UAB’s high-volume clinical environment, the fellowship provides hands-on experience across a wide spectrum of spinal disorders. As one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, UAB serves an expansive patient population with conditions including spinal deformity, degenerative disease, spinal tumors, congenital abnormalities and neuromuscular disorders. Fellows gain exposure to both routine and highly complex cases, with training in minimally invasive techniques, endoscopic spine surgery and advanced spinal reconstruction.
Godzik notes, “We do not lose sight of what really matters for career success and take great pride in their success- mentorship, fine tuning of administrative and leadership skills, and facilitating an environment for transition to independent practice is our underlying goal!"
Fellows work closely with Godzik and spine faculty members Patrick Pritchard, M.D., Mamerhi Okor, M.D., and Daniel Harmon, M.D. The program emphasizes graduated responsibility in the operating room, clinic and hospital setting, with a strong focus on mentorship, technical skill development and real-time surgical decision-making across both open and minimally invasive procedures.
“The attending neurosurgeons provide feedback often, and the department’s environment fosters a positive and strong relationship with the residents and attendings." says Romel Corecha-Santos, M.D., the 2025-2026 spine fellow.
A distinguishing feature of the fellowship is its transition-to-practice model. Fellows hold staff privileges, take complex spine trauma call and manage their own weekly neurosurgery clinic. Additional training includes documentation, practice development and professional brand building. Fellows also work alongside residents in the operating room, contribute to teaching conferences and participate in departmental quality improvement initiatives.
Academic engagement is a core component of the program. Fellows attend weekly spine conferences, participate in UAB’s active research enterprise and receive mentorship toward peer-reviewed publications. They are encouraged to present their work at major national meetings, such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
How to apply
The program is currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 training cycle.
To learn more about applying to the Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Fellowship at UAB, contact Godzik at