Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Program

The Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship Program is a rigorous 12-month training program that equips participants with the essential clinical expertise, scholarly experience, and leadership abilities needed in the specialized field of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology. The program is supported by a dedicated faculty of 10 members from the Division of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, all of whom are committed to advancing education and research related to congenital heart disease and critical pulmonary hypertension. The program offers a unique opportunity due to its involvement with a highly complex patient population.

During the 2016-2017 academic year alone, the program provided anesthetic support for around 3,000 procedures, which included significant operations such as 625 surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass, 16 heart transplants, and nine lung transplants, placing the program among the largest pediatric cardiac anesthesia providers in the nation. This exposure ensures that fellows gain extensive clinical experience with children who have single ventricle physiology and other complex cardiac conditions.

Clinical Experience

Central to the fellowship is the clinical training provided through supervised anesthesia practice on increasingly complex cardiac surgical patients. Fellows will rotate through various clinical environments, including cardiac surgical operating rooms, catheterization and electrophysiology labs, diagnostic imaging suites, and general operating rooms that cater to non-cardiac surgical procedures for patients with congenital heart defects, either repaired or unrepaired.

The fellowship offers the added benefit of participation in emergency procedures, enhancing the fellow's training through exposure to cardiac and lung transplantations. The clinical experiences also cover a comprehensive spectrum of surgeries for complex congenital defects, including fetal and intrapartum surgeries, as well as anesthetic management for patients requiring cardiac assist devices.

Clinical Elective Rotations

Fellows will also engage in clinical elective rotations that enrich their learning. One month of the fellowship is devoted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), providing hands-on experience in the perioperative management of critically ill children and involvement in multidisciplinary conferences.

Additional learning experiences include a month focusing on pediatric echocardiography guided by cardiologists and a two-week rotation with certified clinical perfusionists. This provides fellows with valuable insights into the intricacies of cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric patients.

Educational Program

The fellowship promotes ongoing education with one dedicated day each week for academic pursuits. Opportunities include participation in a monthly Grand Rounds series and active involvement in pediatric fellow didactic lectures. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary simulation exercises to expose fellows to rare yet significant clinical scenarios.

Career Preparation and Research

In terms of career development, structured mentoring is provided, alongside exposure to diverse pediatric research opportunities and departmental quality improvement initiatives. While participation in clinical research is not mandated, motivated fellows are encouraged to engage in scholarly projects suitable for presentation at conferences.

Benefits

All fellows receive a benefits package that aligns with their level of training, including medical, dental, vision benefits, vacation, and a professional expense account. This contributes to enhancing the overall fellowship experience.

Application Requirements

Applicants are expected to submit a series of materials, including the common application (CHOP or ERAS), four letters of recommendation, medical school performance evaluation, transcripts, CV, personal statement, photograph, and USMLE scores. Graduates from international medical schools must include their ECFMG certificates.

Additionally, compliance with COVID-19 vaccination mandates is required as part of the program’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all patients and staff. This applies uniformly across all program affiliates, particularly for those working within care settings.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program has a robust application process which accepts International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and offers visa support, potentially sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visa types. Its competitive application process is designed to attract highly skilled candidates, including those from osteopathic backgrounds.

The program promotes inclusivity and diversity and strongly encourages applicants from varied backgrounds and experiences to contribute to the advancement of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology.