Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Program

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that emphasizes high-quality training in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. Each year, three fellows are accepted into the program, where they benefit from extensive mentorship and a congenial atmosphere that fosters lifelong professional relationships.

This fellowship focuses on developing comprehensive surgical skills through a curriculum tailored to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for independent practice. The program offers flexibility for fellows to pursue subspecialty interests while also providing rigorous clinical training.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is designed to facilitate the development of technical proficiency and decision-making capabilities in pediatric orthopaedics. Initially, fellows are closely supervised as they learn to manage both simple and complex conditions. Progressively, they are encouraged to take on more independent patient evaluations and formulate treatment plans that are guided by faculty feedback. The curriculum includes:

• Operative Pediatric Orthopaedics: Fellows engage in extensive literature review, preoperative planning, intraoperative management, and postoperative care, fostering their growth in clinical knowledge and surgical acumen 1.
• Inpatient Care: Clinical fellows are required to round on patients, enhancing their understanding of postoperative management and complication recognition through direct patient interaction and faculty discussions 1.
• Outpatient Clinics: The outpatient setting allows fellows to assess patients independently while developing and refining treatment plans. This experience is crucial as it helps in transitioning to independent practice 2.
• Emergency Rotation: Although the program does not focus primarily on trauma, fellows gain necessary experience through a short trauma rotation with the opportunity to work closely with attending staff 1.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in scholarly activities; thus, completion of at least one research project is expected. The division provides support through research coordinators, as well as resources for statistical analysis and potential funding. This mentorship and the research environment support the fellows' ability to publish their work and present findings at conferences 3.

Application Requirements

The program participates in the POSNA San Francisco Match and applicants must provide:

• USMLE Scores (S-1, S-2, S-3)
• Completed application via POSNA San Francisco Match
• Current CV and Personal Statement
• Professional color photo
• Copy of medical school diploma
• Reference letters from supervisors and colleagues

For applicants who are foreign-trained, holding an ECFMG certificate is required. It is essential to note that candidates with a substantial number of failed STEP exams may face application barriers, and thus a strong academic background is crucial for success in securing a position in this competitive fellowship program 4.

Rotation Schedule and Work Hours

Fellows rotate for a three-month period, and working hours are in compliance with ACGME's 80-hour work week requirement. Clinical fellows are given specific duty-hour policies and a hotline for reporting any violations. Furthermore, fellows participate in on-call rotations once a month to gain comprehensive clinical exposure and responsibilities

Visa Support

Cincinnati Children's Hospital provides visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates, enabling them to participate in this esteemed fellowship program. Common types of visas supported include J-1 and H-1B, ensuring that qualified candidates have appropriate documentation to join the training.

Unique Aspects of the Fellowship

The fellowship benefits from an integrated model encompassing education, patient care, and research. The program's supportive environment allows fellows to not only acquire technical proficiency but also to develop essential soft skills necessary for effective interactions with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals 2. Additionally, dedicated faculty members are committed to mentoring fellows throughout their training to promote a lifelong enthusiasm for pediatric orthopaedics and research.