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IFSSH Global Surgeons Tetrahand Leadership Programme

The World Tetrahand Congress is committed to identifying and supporting the next generation of global surgical leaders.

Thanks to funding provided by the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH), this programme offers up to 3 fully funded places to attend the World Tetrahand Congress from 22-23 September 2026 at the Waterside Theatre Aylesbury UK followed by the opportunity to visit UK units undertaking Tetrahand surgery after the conference.

Applicants should be exceptional surgeons residing and working in lower or middle income countries who demonstrate not only clinical excellence, but also the vision, initiative, and leadership required to shape the future of reconstructive and hand surgery worldwide.

Participants will be selected as promising future leaders in upper limb reconstruction and spinal cord injury care. They may be orthopaedic or plastic surgeons with demonstrated commitment to developing tetrahand services in their country.

Through engagement with established reconstructive surgeons, therapists, and multidisciplinary teams, and through participation in interactive sessions, case discussions, clinics, and operative observation, participants will gain:
  • Advanced clinical and surgical knowledge
  • Insight into service design and referral network development
  • Exposure to rehabilitation integration and multidisciplinary practice
  • Practical understanding of logistical and cost-effective implementation
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed on:
  • Demonstrated leadership and initiative
  • Commitment to improving patient outcomes in resource-constrained settings
  • Potential to become a future global leader in reconstructive and hand surgery
  • Ability to translate learning into meaningful local and international impact
Itinerary
Pre-congress surgical sympoisum - 21st September 2026
2026 World Tetrahand Congress - 22nd - 23rd September 2026
Visit UK units - 24th-25th September 2026

The deadline to submit your application is Monday 15th June 2026.
1.Title(Required.)
2.Full Name(Required.)
3.Email(Required.)
4.Mobile Phone Number(Required.)
5.Nationality(Required.)
6.Country of practice(Required.)
7.Position/ Job Title(Required.)
8.Years in surgical practice(Required.)
9.Speciality(Required.)
10.Current Hospital/Institution/Organisation Address(Required.)
11.Qualifications (with dates and awarding bodies)(Required.)
12.What are your subspecialty interests?(Required.)
Professional Background
13.Clinical Experience
Please describe the current clinical, institutional and surgical resources available in your centre that would support the development of a Tetrahand reconstructive service.
This should include the patient population, rehabilitation services, anaesthesia support, theatre access, hand/plastic/orthopaedic surgery capacity, theatre teams, equipment, multidisciplinary colleagues and administrative support.
(500 words)(Required.)
14.Current Local Capacity for TetraHand / Reconstructive Surgery
What relevant services or expertise are already available at your institution?
This could include hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, tendon transfers, rehabilitation medicine, occupational therapy, spinal injury services)
(200 words)
(Required.)
Leadership and Impact
15.Institutional Support
What support do you have from your hospital or department to establish or expand a tetrahand service on your return?
(250 words)(Required.)
16.Implementation Plan
How do you plan to introduce or grow tetrahand surgery in your setting over the next 2–3 years?
(250 words)(Required.)
17.Potential Barriers and Solutions
What are the main anticipated barriers in your setting, and how would you address them? (250 words)(Required.)
Global Engagement
18.Why the World TetraHand Congress?
What do you hope to gain from attending, how will you apply this knowledge locally and globally? How will you use this opportunity to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange?
(400 words)(Required.)
Supporting Information
19.Please attach your CV (2 pages maximum)(Required.)
No file chosen
20.Please upload a head shot photograph(Required.)
No file chosen
21.Please attach a letter of recommendation to support your application(Required.)
No file chosen
Who should write the letter of recommendation?
  • Senior colleagues with whom you have trained or worked within the last three years or;
  • Head of Department, Consultant colleague (or equivalent) or Supervisor.

Letter of reference guidance:
  • Should be completed on headed paper from the referees' institution or hospital.
  • Files must be saved as Microsoft Word or PDF as: [First name] [Last name] Tetrahand Fellowship
  • Please include details of the applicant's leadership potential
  • Please include details of how the fellowship is expected to benefit the applicant.
  • Please include details of how the applicant will apply their fellowship learning in their future career.
22.Optional: Please upload evidence of research, innovation or service development
No file chosen
23.Declaration(Required.)