Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Program

Program Overview

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a distinguished program that has been training leaders in pediatric emergency medicine for more than 35 years. It is situated within a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center which tends to over 100,000 children annually, providing a comprehensive and robust clinical experience for fellows. The mission of the program is to support fellows in achieving their highest potential through extensive education, mentorship, and clinical opportunities.

The fellowship allows candidates to choose between a traditional three-year PEM program or a combined four-year PEM fellowship with a Global Health (GH) track. The ability to explore global health initiatives while acquiring specialized pediatric emergency medicine skills positions participants for versatile careers.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum spans three years, each year containing 13 four-week blocks of intensive training, which incorporates both clinical and educational experiences.

First Year

In the first year, fellows focus on expanding their knowledge and clinical skills within the emergency department (ED). They are involved in supervising resident trainees while managing patients under direct mentorship. Essential components of this year include rotations in pediatric emergency medicine, adult emergency medicine, trauma, anesthesiology, and critical care.

Second Year

The second year emphasizes transitioning into leadership and developing a research project that fulfills scholarly activity requirements dictated by the American Board of Pediatrics. This year includes the chance to lead medical transport cases and to act in the role of an attending physician in the CHOP ED.

Third Year

In the final year, fellows are expected to perform as attending physicians within their shifts, managing patient care independently while still benefiting from the supervision of more experienced attendings. This year represents a critical step for fellows to finalize and present their academic research at national conferences.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship offers robust research opportunities. The Division of Emergency Medicine (DoEM) is an active member of several significant research networks like the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) and the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Network (PEM CRC), which allow fellows to engage in high-level research.

Mentorship and Educational Opportunities

Upon entering the fellowship, candidates are paired with both clinical and research mentors who guide them throughout their training. Educational conferences and workshops provide fellows with a platform to enhance their teaching competencies and leadership skills. The program includes dedicated teaching time where fellows co-facilitate conferences related to clinical care and research.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The PEM fellowship at CHOP is considered highly competitive. Candidates must have completed an accredited residency program in pediatrics or emergency medicine. Only individuals with completed or valid ECFMG certificates can apply, and the program does not accept those on J-1 visas. Application requirements include passing all parts of the USMLE within a stipulated seven-year timeframe, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program prioritizes diversity and inclusion, advocating for the representation of various backgrounds among its fellows and staff. There are numerous initiatives designed to enhance diversity that fellows can engage with, including mentorship programs and training on implicit bias.

Visa Support

The program will not provide visa sponsorship for J-1 Visa applicants or those from residencies that are not ACGME approved, limiting options primarily to U.S. citizens and those with valid ECFMG certificates. Applicants may explore additional visa types as per the guidelines provided.