Creighton University School of Medicine Program

The Creighton University School of Medicine offers a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship that is dedicated to training proficient psychiatrists in diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. The program focuses on a biopsychosocial approach, which emphasizes the importance of child and adolescent development in the context of family, school, and community dynamics 1.

This two-year fellowship program is structured to incorporate comprehensive clinical training through multiple settings, including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, and outpatient care 1. The training includes valuable experience in family therapy, behavior modification, psychopharmacology, as well as individual and group psychotherapy. This holistic methodology ensures fellows develop the necessary clinical skills and experience to provide nuanced patient care across diverse environments.

Program Timeline

The fellowship operates on a timeline that allows candidates to apply during their PG-3 year of General Adult Psychiatry training. Successful applicants begin their fellowship at the start of their PG-4 year. Upon completing the first year of the program, fellows earn a certificate of completion for the Psychiatry Residency Program, and upon finishing the second year, they are awarded a certificate for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. This structure allows for a total of five years of training combining both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry 1.

Training Sites

The training sites for the fellowship are diverse, covering a range of healthcare facilities that enhance the educational experience. These include:

• CHI Health-Immanuel: A full-service hospital featuring a 20-bed acute care unit for children and adolescents. Approximately 500-700 admissions occur per year, providing extensive clinical exposure.
• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: This facility accommodates children and adolescents aged 6-17 and provides specialized care aimed at cultivating positive community adjustments.
• Partial Hospitalization & Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Catering to children aged 5-18, this program focuses on helping youths regain coping skills in a supportive environment.
• Outpatient Clinic: This facility adopts a holistic treatment approach, integrating medical and psychosocial interventions tailored to individual patient needs.
• Children's Hospital and Medical Center: A nonprofit regional pediatric specialty healthcare center offering additional training opportunities, particularly in adolescent eating disorders.

Program Features

This fellowship is fully-accredited by the Residency Review Committee of the ACGME and includes numerous attributes that contribute to a robust educational experience. These features comprise:

• Weekly didactics with all fellows across the two-year training cycle, fostering a collaborative learning atmosphere.
• Integration of multidisciplinary teams at training sites, ensuring that fellows engage with psychologists, therapists, and nurse practitioners.
• The opportunity for fellows to participate in training medical students and psychiatry residents, further enhancing their teaching and leadership skills.

Application Requirements

Applicant eligibility is based on specific criteria that ensure candidates are well-prepared for the rigors of the fellowship. For U.S. graduates, requirements include:

• Graduation from an LCME or COCA accredited medical school.
• A minimum of three years in General Adult Psychiatry at an ACGME-accredited institution.
• Three letters of reference from qualified professionals.
• Passing scores on USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3, with a preference for an average score of 200 and no failures. Candidates with two or more failed attempts are unlikely to be considered.
• International medical graduates must possess certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and must demonstrate proficiency in English. They must be eligible for a J-1 visa as the program does not accept H-1B visa applications 3.

Program Values and Goals

The fellowship program is rooted in the Jesuit values of cura personalis, which translates to care for the entire person, and aims to:

• Equip fellows with the tools to utilize a biopsychosocial developmental approach in assessing and treating children and families amidst diverse clinical experiences.
• Foster resilience and reflection in fellows to navigate system pressures mindfully.
• Encourage advocacy for improved mental health resources for underserved children and adolescents through exposure to community systems of care 1.

The commitment to these missions ensures that graduates not only gain comprehensive clinical skills but also grow into advocates for their patients' well-being.