Nashville Spine Fellowship

Nashville Skyline at Sunrise

Located in Nashville, TN

Overview

The Nashville Spine Fellowship is a comprehensive one-year training program designed for exceptional graduates of U.S. orthopedic or neurosurgical residency programs. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to train in a multidisciplinary private practice spine care setting, including dedicated orthopedic, neurosurgical services and collaboration with physiatry. Fellows will gain extensive experience in both the surgical and non-surgical management of spinal disorders, working alongside experts in orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgical spine surgery, pain management, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Rotating Spine Services

Throughout the fellowship, the Fellow will rotate through coordinated services that address cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pathologies, including degenerative diseases, deformities, trauma, tumors, and infections. The program offers exposure to a wide range of surgical techniques, including anterior, posterior, and lateral approaches. Fellows will also become proficient in minimally invasive and open surgical techniques, advanced navigation, and robotics, as well as cutting-edge procedures.

Clinical Skills for Successful Surgical Outcomes

Fellows will have access to clinical research projects and participation in FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trials involving emerging technologies. A key component of the fellowship is the emphasis on developing the clinical skills necessary for successful surgical outcomes, including precise diagnosis, appropriate conservative care, and patient selection.

Practical Skills for Managing a Spine Practice

The Nashville Spine Fellowship also prepares its Fellows for the practical aspects of managing a spine surgery practice, covering critical topics such as marketing, contracting, medical/legal documentation, billing, and second opinion services. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in a high volume of routine and complex cases, utilizing the latest technology and next-generation spinal implants. The fellowship fosters a collegial working environment providing exposure to high volume private practice setting along with a high level of complexity.

TOA Spine Fellowship Requirements

Applicants must be Board-eligible or Board Certified by the ABOS/AOBOS or ABNS/AOBNS and graduates of accredited U.S. orthopedic or neurosurgery residency programs. The fellowship includes a competitive stipend commiserate with a PGY-6, health insurance, and malpractice insurance with tail coverage. Additional opportunities to cover general Orthopedic or Neurosurgical call are also available for supplemental income. The program runs from August 1st to July 31st each year.

Clinical Faculty

Ryan Snowden, MD

Fellowship Director

Ryan D. Snowden, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. Dr. Snowden is a graduate of University of Louisville School of Medicine and he completed his undergraduate degree in Biology and Religion at Georgetown College where he received the Verberg Medical School Award.
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Physicians

Nicholas Shephard, MD

Edward Mackey, MD

Robert Lowe, MD

Juris Shibuyama, MD

Colin Crosby, MD

Current Fellows

Matthew A. Diehl

Spine Fellow

Matthew Diehl, M.D. is an orthopedic surgeon completing advanced spine surgery fellowship training with Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) through the Nashville Spine Fellowship. His training includes the full spectrum of spine care, from complex spinal deformity and revision surgery to cutting-edge, minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic spine surgery, as well as cervical and lumbar disc replacement.

Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Diehl comes from a family rooted in healthcare and agriculture—his father was a farmer and veterinarian, and his mother was a nurse. They continue to raise horses and grow hay in Ohio, while his brother also pursues advanced medical training in Neuroendovascular Surgery at West Virginia University.

Dr. Diehl began his collegiate journey at Case Western Reserve University, where he was recognized as a scholar-athlete while playing baseball. He then transferred to the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology and premedical sciences. At Notre Dame, he competed in collegiate rugby, while earning a spot on the Dean’s List and a nomination to the USA Rugby National Collegiate Scholar Honor Roll.

He continued his education by earning a master's degree in medical sciences at Loyola University Chicago, followed by his medical degree at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. In medical school, he graduated at the top of his class with Recommendation with Distinction honors and received a scholarship for dedication to rural medicine.

Dr. Diehl then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, serving as Chief Resident and receiving the Orthopedic Resident of the Year Award.

Outside of work, Dr. Diehl provides volunteer medical coverage for rodeo athletes through the Justin Boots Sports Medicine Team, including local events like the Music City Rodeo and Franklin Rodeo. In his free time, he enjoys working on the farm, weightlifting, trap shooting, water sports, and competing in cattle-based equestrian events with his Quarter Horse, as well as spending time with his German Wirehaired Pointer, Evie.