Henry Ford Health/Henry Ford Hospital Program

Program Overview

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at Henry Ford Hospital is a two-year ACGME-accredited program designed to train future leaders in behavioral health care. The program emphasizes cultural sensitivity, ethical practices, and open-mindedness, equipping fellows with the skills necessary to assess and treat children and adolescents through a comprehensive developmental and biopsychosocial approach. The mission of the program is to promote patient-family centered care and well-being while fostering critical evaluation of psychiatric treatment methods 1.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The curriculum comprises didactic lectures, case conferences, journal clubs, and formal observations that prepare fellows to manage a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders that affect children and adolescents. Training focuses on developing culturally sensitive and ethical psychiatrists who are adept in applying a developmental approach to diagnose and treat young patients. The fellowship experience includes exposure to diverse patient populations, emphasizing personal growth, critical thinking, and scholarly activities 1.

Clinical Rotations

The clinical rotations are designed to span the two years of fellowship training. While the specifics of the rotation schedule are yet to be detailed, they allow fellows to gain experience in various settings, promoting their clinical skills through hands-on learning 3.

Application Process

The application process for the fellowship is conducted in accordance with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with applications accepted annually starting at the end of July. The program offers two fellowship positions each year. Candidates are typically interviewed between late August and November. To qualify, applicants must have completed two years in an ACGME-accredited general psychiatry residency, possess passing USMLE or COMLEX scores for all steps, and demonstrate a strong interest in child and adolescent psychiatry through scholarly work or relevant experience 2.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program offers sponsorship for J-1 visas, making it accessible to international medical graduates (IMGs). The program is considered competitive, welcoming a diverse pool of candidates, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds 2.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Research is a key component of the fellowship, with opportunities for fellows to engage in scholarly activities and contribute to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. The program encourages involvement in quality improvement projects, providing fellows with resources for research and publication 6. Additionally, fellows participate in a wellness curriculum that supports their personal and professional development 6.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Fellows at Henry Ford benefit from a unique training environment that includes access to school-based mental health care, exposure to specialized forensic psychiatric cases, and opportunities to work with underserved communities. Notably, the fellowship provides a collaborative learning environment that emphasizes wellness and autonomy in practice, allowing fellows to tailor their training to their specific interests while meeting program requirements 6.

Personal Development and Support

Each fellow is allocated 22 weekdays of paid time off annually, along with up to five days annually for educational conferences. Financial support is available for educational expenses, including books and conferences. The program also offers protected time for didactics, ensuring that fellows have designated hours dedicated to learning without interruptions 6.

Additional Resources

The program provides fellows with comprehensive resources, including 24-hour remote access to the Sladen Library System and various online medical databases, enhancing their learning experience. For teaching opportunities, fellows will engage in both formal and informal educational activities 6.