Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV is a two-year program that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This program is specifically designed to prepare trainees to meet the high need for child and adolescent psychiatrists in Southern Nevada, where there is a critical shortage of professionals in this field.

The mission of the program is to provide a comprehensive educational experience that contributes to the development of independent child and adolescent psychiatrists. This mission is grounded in the ethical principles established by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and aims to nurture community leaders who will advance care and advocacy for youth in the local community 1.

Program Aims

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship aims to address the workforce shortages of specialists in this field, particularly targeting areas of significant need such as Clark County, Nevada 1. The program equips fellows with the skills to operate within community systems of care, not only locally but also on a national scale.

Program Highlights

Fellows in the program will receive advanced training across the full spectrum of child and adolescent psychiatry. This includes specialized training in diagnosing and managing psychiatric illnesses among youth in diverse clinical settings. Throughout the fellowship, fellows develop essential research skills, participate in didactic conferences, and engage in collaborative scholarly projects with faculty members 1.

Key highlights of the program include:

• Advanced training in child and adolescent psychiatry.
• Opportunities to manage a range of psychiatric disorders in various clinical environments.
• Research training focusing on manuscript preparation and academic writing.
• Diverse faculty expertise.
• Protected time for didactic learning, including conferences covering psychopathology, pharmacology, and psychotherapeutic techniques.
• A strong emphasis on work-life balance and supportive community among colleagues and faculty.

Curriculum Overview

The formal curriculum for the fellowship includes a didactic series that occurs in a dedicated classroom setting during weekly protected time. This curriculum emphasizes self-directed learning and ongoing education aligned with the standards established by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 1.

Additional requirements during the fellowship include:

• Completing a scholarly project before graduation.
• Engaging in Quality Improvement (QI) projects to understand the relevance and history of QI initiatives in medicine.
• Participation in rotations focusing on community care, inpatient psychiatry, and consult-liaison practices.

Training Sites

The fellowship provides diverse training opportunities across various clinical sites, including:

• Desert Willow Treatment Center: A licensed psychiatric hospital focusing on acute treatment for children aged 12-17.
• University Medical Center Children’s Hospital: Where fellows provide consultative support to emergency and inpatient pediatric units.
• Mojave Counseling: An outpatient clinic serving a wide demographic of youth.
• Healthy Minds Clinic: Specializing in comprehensive outpatient care.

Application Requirements

The application process for this competitive fellowship requires prospective fellows to submit:

• An ERAS application along with a CV and personal statement.
• Medical school transcript and Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
• USMLE/COMLEX transcript.
• Three letters of recommendation, one from the current program director.

Fellows are also required to demonstrate their commitment to the field through relevant clinical experience.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates, specifically sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visas to facilitate residency training opportunity in the United States. This is a critical aspect for those applicants who require such sponsorship to enter the fellowship.

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The fellowship is characterized as highly competitive but is also designed to be inclusive and welcoming to both Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). This inclusivity contributes positively to the diversity and richness of the learning environment within the fellowship.

Conclusion and Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship have a strong track record of remaining in Southern Nevada to practice psychiatry, significantly contributing to addressing local healthcare needs in this specialty. Many graduates choose to remain with the program as faculty members, enriching the educational environment for future fellows.