Each year, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital is home to two highly qualified postgraduate fellows in a year-long training program. One of this years fellows is Nathan Frost, M.D., who will fill a teaching role at Madigan Army Medical Center upon completion of his fellowship.

Tell us about choosing LAOH for your fellowship.
LAOH provides a unique setting to learn the practice of pediatric orthopaedics. The attending surgeons represent some of the most experienced in the field and a setting that sees thousands of children a year provides exposure to a wide variety of the injuries and conditions that I will undoubtedly encounter in the future. In addition, LAOHs ability to help provide care to the children of Los Angeles regardless of their ability to pay is something I find extremely rewarding.

Is there a routine to your work?
One of the great things about pediatric orthopaedics is that every day provides a different challenge. We may treat a childs scoliosis one day and anothers anterior cruciate ligament rupture the next. In that sense there really isnt a routine, which is part of what I find appealing about this area of orthopaedics. .

How will this year influence your future work?
After the completion of my fellowship, I will move back to Olympia, Washington, where I will take over the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery service at Madigan Army Medical Center. I will serve at least six years on active duty in this capacity, and I expect to deploy to either Afghanistan or Iraq at some point in the year following my fellowship. The things I learn this year will prepare me to provide the highest quality care to the dependents of the military personnel serving in the Pacific Northwest region and to teach the residents who will be assigned to my service.

Has there been a memorable moment at LAOH?
My most memorable moment continues to be walking through the clinic waiting room and seeing kids in casts of different shapes, sizes and colors. It reminds me how unique our role is and how lucky I am to get to learn from these kids. I dont think there are many places that provide such a great opportunity to learn how to be a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon.