Children's Hospital Los Angeles Program

The Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at Children's Hospital Los Angeles offers a comprehensive two-year training program that is designed for residents who have completed their training and are Board-eligible in general surgery. This program is accredited by the Residency Review Committee (RRC) of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, ensuring that the training meets high standards of quality and rigor. Each year, the program selects one fellow through the National Intern and Resident Matching Plan, providing a focused and personalized training experience.

The fellowship program has been established since 1961, offering fellows exposure to a wide range of operative cases. Key components of the training include extensive experience in neonatal surgery, management of anorectal malformations, pediatric surgical oncology, as well as hepatobiliary and thoracic surgery. During the first year, junior fellows develop competencies in various critical areas such as general pediatric surgery, trauma, neonatology, and intensive care for older children, alongside participation in pediatric otolaryngology and urology. As they progress into the second year, senior fellows take on responsibilities primarily focused on newborn surgery and tumor surgery, along with administrative duties related to weekly conferences.

Weekly educational opportunities play a significant role in the fellowship. Faculty-led lectures are complemented by rounds in the Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU), where complex neonatal surgical cases are reviewed. This collaborative learning environment also includes faculty from related specialties such as pediatric oncology, neonatology, and pediatric anesthesiology, effectively simulating the pediatric surgery board review process. Mandatory attendance at outpatient clinics and a monthly follow-up clinic rounds out the educational experience, with opportunities to participate in specialized clinics such as Vascular Anomalies, Colorectal, Trauma, and Aerodigestive clinics.

Unique aspects of the program enrich the clinical experience for fellows. For instance, the Trauma Program includes participation in a recognized Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, allowing fellows to manage multisystem injuries under the supervision of experienced faculty and participate in multidisciplinary trauma conferences. The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Program also provides an intriguing avenue for fellows, enhancing their clinical acumen through patient care and involvement in ECMO research projects.

Regarding application requirements, the Pediatric Surgery Fellowship is part of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Although U.S. citizenship is not a strict requirement for applicants, completion of prior postgraduate training in general surgery is necessary. The program does not impose a maximum failed STEP exam limit, however, candidates should be mindful of their overall academic performance when applying. Furthermore, potential fellows are encouraged to show a commitment to diversity, as the program actively seeks to build a culturally rich and inclusive community among its faculty and trainees.

Fellows are provided with competitive salaries, commensurate with their postgraduate year, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid vacation. The program has an impressive track record, highlighted by a 100% pass rate for the American Board of Surgery certifying exam for graduates from 2000 to the present. This performance reflects the commitment to not only training clinically competent pediatric surgeons but also ensuring they are professionally prepared for board certification.