Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium Program

Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium Program offers a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship which is designed to provide trainees with a broad-based educational experience over a two-year period. This program aims to produce competent and highly skilled clinicians in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. It holds accreditation from the ACGME, which ensures that the training provided meets national standards for medical education.

The fellowship typically accepts two to four incoming positions each year. To qualify for application, candidates must have completed three years of a general psychiatry residency in an ACGME-approved program, and they must have passed steps I, II, and III of the USMLE or the COMLEX exam.

Embedding the institutional mission to foster the holistic development of individuals, the program emphasizes a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model for assessment and intervention, aligning with the principles of care that prioritize the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of both patients and trainees. The fellowship seeks to strike a balance between generalized experiences and niche training, catering to a diverse patient demographic.

The core structure of the fellowship program is composed of rotations through various training sites and clinical settings including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialty programs. This comprehensive approach encompasses not only traditional training but also exposure to integrated care, ensuring fellows receive both consultative and direct care experiences.

Curriculum & Rotations

The curriculum is meticulously crafted to align with ACGME competencies, which include patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice. The structure of the two-year program consists of:

Year 1

• 3 months in Child & Adolescent Inpatient care
• 3 months in Pediatric Consult & Liaison/Emergency
• 3 months in School/Psychoeducational Testing/Elective
• 3 months in Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program
• Weekly half-day experiences: didactics, outpatient psychotherapy, and longitudinal clinic
• 3 months in Pediatric Neurology

Year 2

• 3 months in Child Partial Hospitalization Program
• 3 months for Electives/Research
• 6 months in Outpatient Clinic at San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health
• Weekly half-day experiences: didactics, administrative time, outpatient psychotherapy, and longitudinal clinic
• Intensive Youth Outpatient Programs focus on ADHD, chronic medical illness, self-injury and suicidality, and dual diagnoses.

Training Sites

The training encompasses a variety of clinical environments associated with Loma Linda University Health. Important facilities include:

Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center

This center hosts both inpatient and outpatient services, with specialized units for children and adolescents facing psychiatric challenges.

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

The children's hospital operates extensive pediatric services and integrates with the psychiatry fellowship for high-quality care delivery.

San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health

This department serves the largest county in the U.S., with a wide array of programs available for children and adolescents facing mental health crises.

Research Opportunities and Unique Aspects

The fellowship encourages involvement in research pursuits related to child and adolescent psychiatry, providing fellows the opportunity to partake in clinical studies and scholarly activities that further the field’s understanding and protocols. Unique training segments, including adolescent substance use, behavioral parenting interventions, and management of self-injurious behaviors, enhance the fellows' capability to handle complex cases.

Visa Sponsorship and Application Requirements

The program offers visa support for candidates requiring sponsorship. Eligible visa types include J-1 and H-1B visas, which are available for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking fellowship opportunities in the U.S. The program maintains a commitment to inclusiveness, ensuring it is not unduly competitive and is friendly toward DO and IMG applicants.

Specific application requirements include no more than one failed attempt on the USMLE assessments, and candidates must have graduated from medical school within the past five years. Interviews for eligible candidates are conducted by invitation after a thorough file review.

Overall, the Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium Program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides a robust framework of training, research opportunities, and caring integration that appeals to candidates seeking a comprehensive development path in psychiatry.