Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Program

The Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program focused on producing leaders in pediatric anesthesiology. The program utilizes an innovative, collaborative, personalized, and learner-centric environment.

Fellows engage in a high-volume surgical environment enriched with exposure to complex procedures for treating congenital malformations, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia and esophageal atresia. This fellowship program emphasizes family-engaged patient care, advocating for safety, quality, and value-based practices. Additionally, it includes a specialized acute and chronic pain management program aimed at limiting opioid dependency.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum encompasses extensive didactic instruction designed to enhance pediatric anesthesiology knowledge among fellows. Over the course of the year, fellows attend more than 50 fellow-level lectures, including:

• 8 orientation lectures
• 10-15 special topic sessions (including a Seminar Series in Academia)
• 30-40 pediatric anesthesiology-specific board topics aimed at board exam preparation

Notably, lectures are structured to allow fellows to lead journal clubs and mortality and morbidity conferences, ensuring comprehensive learning and collaboration. The curriculum is complemented by access to advanced training methodologies utilizing the state-of-the-art simulation center.

Training Environment and Facilities

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital features a 259-bed academic medical center in St. Petersburg, Florida. The fellowship program benefits from the sheer volume and variety of clinical cases, with over 12,000 anesthesia cases performed annually, ranging from simple outpatient surgeries to complex operations. The pediatric anesthesiology faculty are primarily board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists with advanced training in areas like pain management and congenital heart disease.

The fellowship’s training sites include the hospital's operating rooms, special procedures unit, and an MRI/CT service. The department actively participates in the national pediatric anesthesia safety initiative, Wake Up Safe, emphasizing the program's commitment to patient safety.

Research Opportunities

The Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship promotes active engagement in clinical and translational research. Fellows have opportunities to engage in quality improvement and educational scholarship, supported by the Clinical and Translational Research Training Track at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The faculty's research encompasses various pediatric health topics, allowing fellows to align their research interests with existing departmental projects.

Some highlighted examples from the research initiatives include:

• Esophageal Atresia Registry
• APRICOT (Anesthesia Practice in Children Observational Trial)
• GAS Study (general anesthesia vs. awake-regional anesthesia in infancy)
• Near Infrared Spectrum studies

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Anesthesia Residency and be eligible to obtain a full Florida Medical License. The program currently sponsors J1 visas for international applicants, ensuring a welcoming environment for overseas candidates.

The fellowship is recognized as highly competitive, engaging applicants from a diverse background, including international medical graduates and those holding DO degrees. There are no specified limits on the number of attempts at board exams, ensuring a broader pool of qualified individuals can access the program.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Aunique aspect of the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship is its commitment to hands-on experience in complex surgical cases while promoting educational environments through conferences, teaching opportunities, and innovative methodologies in patient care and pain management.

Moreover, the commitment to research and collaboration not only with local faculty but also with Johns Hopkins University and relevant national research initiatives positions fellows at the forefront of pediatric anesthesiology advancements.