Boston Children’s Hospital Program

Boston Children's Hospital offers a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship within its Department of Surgery, which has a strong emphasis on health outcomes research. This two-year fellowship program is designed for individuals aiming to further their careers in Pediatric Surgery by enhancing their clinical experience with a focus on critical care and formal epidemiological training.

The fellowship begins with a 12-month clinical rotation on the pediatric critical care wards. To qualify, applicants must have completed three years of general surgical training, ensuring they are board eligible. The fellowship is fully accredited by ACGME and provides a pathway to achieve an Added Qualification (ACQ) in Surgical Critical Care through the American Board of Surgery.

During the first year, fellows are responsible for the care of patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Units (MSICU). They collaborate with Pediatric Surgery Fellows and multidisciplinary ICU teams while being supervised by attending physicians in surgical critical care. This experience equips fellows with insights into contemporary challenges and management strategies for critically ill pediatric surgical patients.

Fellows will also be involved in quality improvement initiatives within the Surgical ICU, ensuring they develop comprehensive administrative and organizational skills necessary for managing a pediatric intensive care unit. Participation in a range of conferences is mandatory, including Morbidity and Mortality Meetings, Surgical Grand Rounds, and Evidence-Based Medicine discussions, among others.

The second year focuses on outcomes research within various pediatric surgical subspecialties. A structured research curriculum is in place, beginning with didactic sessions that cover vital areas such as clinical research methodology and data analysis. There is an opportunity to obtain a graduate degree in health outcomes research from the Harvard School of Public Health, should the fellow choose to extend their research timeframe to two years. Research topics span a variety of pediatric surgical diseases, including vascular anomalies, oncology, gastrointestinal disorders, and transplantation.

Competing for a position in this fellowship is high due to its renown, and candidates need to demonstrate completion of their general surgery training adequately. The program also supports international fellows with visa sponsorship, typically for J-1 or H-1B visas.

The application process prioritizes individuals with strong backgrounds in surgical training and related research. Unique aspects of the program provide not only a clinical experience but also a rich research-oriented fellowship experience, making it attractive to many surgical trainees.

The fellowship promotes an inclusive environment and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds, including those from osteopathic and international medical graduates (IMGs). Notably, fellows are not permitted to moonlight, ensuring their primary focus remains on their training and responsibilities within the program.

Overall, the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital equips fellows with essential clinical and research skills, aligning perfectly for those aspiring to excel in pediatric surgical critical care.