Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center encompasses a comprehensive and rigorous training program designed to develop leaders in the field of academic surgical critical care and trauma. Led by esteemed health science educators and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), this one-year fellowship attracts two fellows each year. The program is well-positioned at the forefront of translational medicine and healthcare innovation, providing an engaging environment for fellows to immerse in the management of critically ill patients across various surgical disciplines, including general surgery, trauma, vascular, cardiothoracic, transplant, and neurosurgery 1.

Training & Curriculum

The curriculum is tailored to ensure fellows gain comprehensive exposure to surgical critical care practices. This includes direct involvement in managing over 1,800 patients admitted to the 24-bed intensive care unit per year, where surgical faculty provide direct oversight and education through daily rounds. The fellows also partake in a robust educational program featuring weekly journal clubs, didactic lectures from multiple specialty areas, and participation in departmental conferences such as morbidity and mortality reviews 1.

Fellows are required to be involved in ongoing clinical research projects. The atmosphere promotes scholarly activity, with opportunities to publish and present original research at national conferences. Moreover, the Clinical Scholars Program at Cedars-Sinai offers additional resources like funding and mentorship for fellows interested in pursuing clinical and translational research 1.

Application Information

Admission into the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is competitive, necessitating eligible candidates to have completed USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CS, and Step 2 CK. Applicants must graduate from an accredited U.S. or Canadian medical school or hold a valid ECFMG certificate. Furthermore, candidates are required to apply for or have a valid, unrestricted California Medical License by the commencement of the fellowship 4.

The application process is handled through the Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS), with deadlines typically in mid-April for the follow year’s cohort. Required documents include a CV, personal statement, USMLE transcripts or ABSITE scores, and three letters of recommendation 4.

Faculty & Resources

The clinical experience is enriched by a dedicated faculty composed of board-certified surgeons specializing in critical care. They offer a supportive learning environment for fellows, enhancing both academic and clinical perspectives in surgical critical care 2. The program provides access to some of the leading clinical and research facilities, allowing fellows to utilize cutting-edge resources throughout their training.

Publications & Research Opportunities

Research participation is integral to the fellowship, with fellows encouraged to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and present findings at professional meetings. Past graduates have been very successful in establishing prominent careers in various esteemed institutions across the country, reflecting the depth of training and professional development afforded by the program 3.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Visa Support

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center actively promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion within its fellowship programs, striving to create an environment that values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences.1 For international medical graduates, the program provides sponsorship for work visas, making it accessible for qualified IMGs who wish to further their training in surgical critical care.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The fellowship is regarded as competitive, with a limited number of positions and a high caliber of applicants. It welcomes candidates from both MD and DO backgrounds, and typically favors applicants with strong academic performance and clinical competencies. As a part of the candidacy evaluation, there are no restrictions on the number of times an applicant may have taken the USMLE steps, thereby broadening accessibility for dedicated candidates seeking advanced training in surgical critical care.