HCA Florida Healthcare/Kendall Hospital Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami, Florida is structured as a one-year program focused on developing future surgeons equipped with the skills necessary to manage critically ill patients. The program is built around the mission of HCA Healthcare, which emphasizes the care and improvement of human life. The fellowship aims to create a rewarding educational environment by offering personalized learning opportunities supported by a dedicated faculty and staff, thus ensuring that the unique needs of each resident are met.

The fellowship encompasses a core rotation in the trauma and general surgical intensive care unit (ICU), which comprises seven to nine months of the training. Additional rotations occur at both HCA Florida Kendall Hospital and HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, providing a balanced clinical experience across diverse environments. This structure allows the fellows to progressively increase their level of responsibility, ensuring competence in managing a wide range of surgical problems encountered in an ICU by the completion of the training year 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is meticulously designed to cover various aspects of surgical critical care, emphasizing hands-on experience and clinical decision-making. The primary rotation in the trauma and general surgical ICU immerses fellows in the management of critically ill surgical patients from various subspecialties. In their final months, fellows will be expected to take on greater patient care responsibilities, which enhances their confidence and skill set 1.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a significant role in the academic environment of the fellowship. All residents are required to engage in scholarly activities, which may include research projects, quality improvement initiatives, or case reports, culminating in a QI project during their training. The program has a Research Director specifically designated to assist fellows in aligning research efforts with their personal interests, thus integrating practical experiences with academic challenges 1.

Benefits and Salary

The fellowship offers a competitive salary of $75,317 for PGY6, along with additional benefits that include a $950 educational allowance for on-call meals, comprehensive health and disability insurance from the first day of employment, and support for conference attendance according to program policies. Residents also benefit from paid certifications such as BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ATLS, as well as meals during clinical duties and appropriate lab jackets 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One of the standout features of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is its small- to medium-sized training environment. This enables fellows to have a more individualized experience, ensuring that each participant is recognized as a unique individual rather than just another face in the crowd. The program prioritizes accessibility, faculty responsiveness, and a flexible administrative structure that fosters open communication and continuous feedback 1.

Visa Support

The program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and provides visa sponsorship for suitable candidates. It commonly supports J-1 and H-1B visa types, which are essential for foreign fellows intending to participate in the program 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is considered highly competitive, with specific application prerequisites that may include the date of medical school graduation and a defined maximum number of failed STEP exams. While the program is oriented toward attracting qualified individuals, it also aims to be friendly to DOs and IMGs, promoting a diverse and inclusive training environment 1.