HealthPartners Institute/Children's Minnesota Program

Welcome to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) fellowship program at Children's Minnesota, an institution recognized for training fellows since 1989 to become leading experts in the field of pediatric emergency medicine. The program strives to create an environment that fosters the gradual enhancement of fellow confidence and medical knowledge, while also focusing on imparting crucial management and teaching skills, along with a comprehensive understanding of clinical research 1.

Program Overview

The Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Children's Minnesota comprises dedicated staff physicians, nurse practitioners, and additional team members. Both hospital campuses operate 24/7, staffed year-round by board-certified/board-eligible PEM physicians. The program offers an array of pediatric subspecialties and additional support services, such as interpreter services, social services, child life specialists, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists. This fellowship is supported by HealthPartners Institute in collaboration with Regions Hospital, a highly regarded site for emergency medicine residency training 1.

The PEM fellowship allows training at the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses, which collectively manage over 90,000 pediatric patient visits annually. The Minneapolis campus boasts the distinction of being the sole freestanding children's hospital in the region providing Level I trauma services specifically for pediatric patients, while the St. Paul campus is the oldest children's hospital in Minnesota 1.

Curriculum and Training

The fellowship emphasizes the six core competencies established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. Accomplishments during the fellowship span several domains:

Clinical Skills

Fellows will develop skills in:

• Initial assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and early management of pediatric emergencies.
• Broad knowledge concerning both common and rare pediatric emergencies.
• Competence in managing pediatric trauma cases and mastering bedside ultrasound techniques.
• Acquisition of essential skills in adult emergency medicine and trauma 1.

Teaching Skills

Fellows will cultivate effective bedside and didactic teaching skills, aimed at families and medical trainees. The program includes opportunities to utilize simulation for procedural competence and enhancing communication skills, alongside becoming a PALS instructor 1.

Research Opportunities

Fellows receive extensive training in the research process, working closely with a dedicated support team which includes coordinators, managers, assistants, and biostatisticians. Opportunities for involvement in projects with the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee (PEMCRC) and Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) are available 1.

Rotations

Fellows who have completed an Emergency Medicine residency follow a two-year curriculum, while those from a Pediatric residency operate as junior faculty in their second and third years. The rotation curriculum ensures fellows enjoy diverse experiences by spending time in both pediatric emergency departments, participating actively in trauma and medical resuscitations 1.

Research and Academic Faculty

Generous resources are allocated for research, with faculty members dedicated to clinical research and education providing mentorship on IRB submissions, project development, and analysis. Research areas include point-of-care ultrasound, management of diabetic emergencies, appendicitis, and trauma 1.

Application Process

Eligibility for the PEM fellowship requires completion of three years of training in an ACGME-accredited pediatrics or emergency medicine residency. The program takes part in the pediatric specialties' fall match through the NRMP. Applications are accepted from July 15 to August 30 via ERAS, requiring several key documents:

• Completed ERAS application.
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from PEM faculty and a residency program director's letter of verification.
• A personal statement.
• USMLE test results.

Visa Support

The program offers visa support, sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visa types for international applicants who meet eligibility requirements. This support is critical for fostering a diverse and inclusive training atmosphere 1.

Competitiveness

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellowship at Children's Minnesota is highly competitive. The program seeks exceptional candidates capable of thriving in a rigorous academic and clinical environment. It's known for being friendly towards DOs and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), broadening the scope for a diverse applicant pool.

Special Application Requirements

Prospective fellows should adhere to special application criteria, including limits on the number of failed USMLE attempts and consideration of the year of graduation from medical school. The program's competitiveness necessitates excellence throughout the application components 1.