Hoag Orthopedics Announces New Fellows For 2026-2027

Hoag Orthopedics, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to higher education, research and community outreach founded by Hoag Orthopedic Institute physicians, has announced four new fellows for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The fellows will be completing their fellowship in either arthroplasty, sports medicine or surgical spine.

“We are excited to welcome this outstanding group of fellows to Hoag Orthopedic Institute,” said Vance Gardner, MD, Medical Director of Hoag Orthopedics. “Training the next generation of orthopedic surgeons is central to our mission. Through hands-on experience, collaborative learning, innovative and clinically relevant research projects and exposure to cutting-edge technology, our fellows gain the skills needed to deliver outstanding patient care while helping shape the future of orthopedics.”

The 2026-2027 Hoag Orthopedic Institute fellows are:

Arthroplasty Hip & Knee Fellows

Phillip Vartanyan, MD

Dr. Vartanyan is a Southern California native who grew up in La Cañada, Calif. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boston University and medical degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. He then moved to Michigan to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. Outside of work, Dr. Vartanyan enjoys being outdoors, hiking, skiing, cooking and fitness.

Dylan Thomas, MD

Dr. Thomas was born and raised in St. Paul, Minn. His passion for alpine ski racing brought him to the east coast where he was a student athlete during his undergraduate studies at Williams College. He worked in a regenerative medicine research laboratory in Boston, prior to completing his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine. He then returned to the Twin Cities for his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, Dr. Thomas enjoys exploring new places with his wife, cycling, cooking and still loves to ski – including recreational adult racing.

Sports Medicine Fellow

Rob McCunney, MD

Dr. McCunney was born and raised outside of Boston, Mass. He completed his undergraduate studies at Fordham University where he played four years of Division I baseball. He earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J. He then trained in sports medicine at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston prior to joining Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Outside of work, Dr. McCunney enjoys being on the ocean, traveling, trying new sports and making things.

Surgical Spine Fellow

Taylor Gurnea, MD

Dr. Gurnea was born and raised in Reno, Nev. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno for medical school before moving to Albuquerque, N.M., where he completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Gurnea enjoys hiking, going to the beach, exploring Southern California and taking walks with his family.

Over the past decade, Hoag Orthopedics has trained more than 50 orthopedic surgeons. To learn more about Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s fellowship programs, visit www.hoagorthopedics.org/education/fellowship-programs.