Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Program

Program Overview

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is an ACGME-accredited program designed for those who have completed general surgery residency. The program offers a year-long fellowship with the option for a second year that includes further training in pediatric trauma and potential opportunities for obtaining a Master's degree. The fellowship is structured to equip fellows with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage patients with acute critical illness in both pediatric and adult intensive care settings.

Goals and Objectives

The fellow will learn to manage critical care for pediatric surgery patients in various intensive care units (ICUs). The structure of the program allows for nine months of rotations in pediatric ICUs and three months in adult ICUs, thus providing a balanced exposure to a diverse patient population. The program aims to prepare fellows for board certification in Surgical Critical Care, emphasizing knowledge obtained from the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Training Rotations

Fellows will rotate through several critical care environments, including:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at the University of Cincinnati

This multi-faceted approach allows fellows to gain valuable experience in the management of complex conditions, such as respiratory distress, cardiovascular support, and other critical care scenarios.

Research and Education

Research is a crucial component of the fellowship. Each fellow is required to engage in a research project during their training. Additionally, the fellowship integrates educational components such as lecture series, morbidity and mortality conferences, journal clubs, and teaching responsibilities for rotating residents and fellow colleagues.

Didactic Components

Fellows will participate in a series of educational activities, including:

• Daily bedside rounds
• Weekly surgical grand rounds
• Pediatric surgery morbidity and mortality conferences
• Quality improvement and performance improvement discussions

Key Facilities and Resources

All training takes place at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, known for being one of the largest pediatric care facilities in the United States. The hospital boasts:

• 580 inpatient beds
• A comprehensive ECMO program, one of the largest in the country
• Access to a vast array of pediatric surgical cases across multiple specialties

The program also collaborates with the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, which provides additional resources and adult surgical critical care exposure.

Competitiveness and Eligibility

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship program is competitive and primarily targets candidates who have completed a residency in general surgery. It is generally favorable towards candidates who have completed pediatric surgical training. To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including successful completion of their surgical residency and a demonstrated commitment to pursuing critical care training.

Visa Support

The program offers sponsorship for various visa types, facilitating the inclusion of international medical graduates. The specific types of visas supported may include J-1 or H-1B visas, contingent upon the applicant's qualifications and availability within the program.

Application Requirements

Potential applicants must submit documentation, including:

• Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement outlining career goals
• Proof of eligibility to obtain an Ohio training certificate

Additionally, candidates may have specific eligibility criteria concerning their graduation year and previous exam attempts.