BronxCare Health System Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at BronxCare Hospital Center is a comprehensive two-year program designed for physicians who have completed three years of general psychiatric training. The program is structured to cover essential topics such as child psychiatry, child development, and other relevant areas through a didactic curriculum and extensive clinical rotations. The primary goal of this fellowship is to train competent and ethical child psychiatrists who are skilled in delivering comprehensive psychiatric care.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship includes several rotations across varied services that encompass an interdisciplinary approach. The details of the rotations are as follows:

Inpatient Child-Adolescent Psychiatry

This rotation takes place in child inpatient units catering to ages 5 to 12 and adolescent inpatient units for ages 12 to 18. Here, fellows are exposed to patients with acute psychiatric syndromes, learning to conduct thorough psychiatric assessments and treatment within a collaborative team environment. A forensic component is included in this rotation to enhance clinical acumen.

Partial Hospitalization Program

This rotation grants fellows close continuity between emergency services, inpatient care, and day hospital services, helping to serve children and adolescents experiencing acute psychiatric conditions along with strong familial support.

Outpatient Child-Adolescent Psychiatry

In the outpatient setting, fellows assess children referred by schools, parents, and agencies, providing continuity with inpatient and ancillary services. The fellow conducts both brief and long-term psychotherapy (individual, family, and group) alongside psychopharmacology as required.

Chemical Dependency

Fellows working in the chemical dependency rotation will engage with adolescents struggling with substance abuse issues, including dual diagnoses in certain cases.

Day Treatment Program

This rotation allows observation of adolescents with significant behavioral health issues or mental illness within a therapeutic educational setting, providing psychiatric services and involvement in team meetings.

Prevention Program

Fellows participate in community outreach and home visits aimed at preventing children from being placed away from their families, focusing on the importance of familial relationships.

Neurodevelopment Program

In collaboration with pediatric neurologists, this rotation emphasizes understanding neurological and psychiatric problems and includes providing consultations at the center.

Pediatric Consultation and Liaison

Under supervision, fellows offer psychiatric consultations for children and adolescents admitted to various pediatric units, including ICU and Emergency Rooms.

School Psychiatry

This rotation allows fellows to assess and treat children within a school context, further complementing the Day Treatment Program.

Emergency Child Psychiatry

Fellows get hands-on experience in assessing and determining the appropriate disposition for acute situations in the emergency department.

Elective Opportunities

Fellows may engage in elective rotations in various programs, including research initiatives, forensic psychiatry, adolescent substance abuse guidance, autism and developmental disabilities, as well as functional family therapy, which offers training in evidence-based practices.

Visa Support and Eligibility

The program offers visa sponsorship, typically supporting individuals with J-1 or H-1B visa types, making it accessible for international medical graduates and candidates pursuing advanced training in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This fellowship is considered competitive and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Osteopathic and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Candidates applying must have completed residency training in psychiatry. The program may have specific requirements relating to the year of graduation and the number of failed STEP exams, which are typically evaluated during the candidacy process.