Duke University Hospital Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Duke University Hospital is an ACGME-accredited program designed to train world-class critical care surgeons. The program primarily bases its intensive clinical training in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Duke University Medical Center, a tertiary care referral center treating a diverse patient population.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship is structured over one year and includes both core and elective rotations. Core rotations encompass critical areas such as the SICU, Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), and Neuroscience ICU, while elective options allow fellows to tailor their training according to specific interests, including pediatric ICU and hyperbaric medicine. The SICU consists of a multidisciplinary team comprising attending physicians from Surgery and Anesthesiology, and fellows are expected to participate actively in clinical care, educational rounds, and administrative tasks in the ICU.

Core Rotations

Fellows spend a significant portion of their time in the SICU, with a structured approach that transitions from direct supervision in the early months to increased autonomy by the end of the year. The fellowship includes core rotations, totaling five months in SICU, alongside three months in Trauma ICU, one month in Cardiothoracic ICU, and one month in the Durham VA ICU.

Elective Rotations

Fellows have the flexibility to choose elective rotations providing additional exposure to varied aspects of critical care such as hyperbaric medicine, echo anesthesia, pediatric intensive care, and nutrition.

Research and Academic Opportunities

The program encourages participation in clinical research and publications supported by the high volume of NIH funding at Duke, which is recognized nationally. Fellows are expected to conduct scholarly activities or engage in quality improvement projects during their rotations.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is competitive, requiring applicants to have completed at least three clinical years in an ACGME-accredited residency in fields like General Surgery, Neurosurgery, or Urology. A complete application requires USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3, alongside one letter of recommendation, and an interview with the program director.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, typically providing support for J-1 and H-1B visa categories, facilitating opportunities for non-citizen applicants to train at Duke University Hospital.

Benefits and Work Environment

The fellowship structure prioritizes both educational needs and work-life balance, ensuring that fellows' duties adhere to standards that limit work hours to an average of 80 hours per week. The fellowship provides a supportive work environment with ongoing evaluations to guide fellows in achieving their professional development objectives.

Training Sites

Duke University Hospital's SICU is equipped for advanced critical care, with 24/7 attending intensivist supervision, ensuring that fellows have comprehensive exposure to complex cases that enhance learning and clinical skills. The program also utilizes other facilities associated with the university, ensuring a broad training curriculum.

Fellow Experience and Community

The fellowship is designed not only to provide rigorous academic and practical training but also focuses on fostering camaraderie among fellows, faculty, and health care professionals. Life in Durham presents a blend of cultural, social, and professional growth opportunities, contributing to a rich training experience.