LSU Health Sciences Center Program

Program Overview

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at LSU Health Shreveport is a one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship offering two positions each year. The fellowship emphasizes education and evidence-based care of critically ill patients. LSU Health Shreveport is notable for being the first adult level I trauma center in Louisiana, verified since 1991, with a significant patient volume that includes 3,400 trauma activations annually, 2,600 trauma admissions, and a considerable proportion of penetrating trauma cases. The program is designed to teach, heal, and discover, which comprises the core tenets driving the fellowship's mission.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is aligned with LSU Health Shreveport's institutional goals of teaching, healing, and discovering new methodologies in surgical critical care. The program aims to train fellows to become exceptional clinicians and leaders equipped to serve diverse patient populations. Emphasis is placed on educating fellows in normal physiology, the pathophysiology of critical illness, and effective management strategies in surgical settings. Additionally, fellows are encouraged to foster scientific inquiry to enhance patient care.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants for this fellowship must be on track to complete or have completed an ACGME-accredited General Surgery Residency program. Applications must be submitted through the Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society's SCC and ACS Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS), where academic achievements and clinical experience are evaluated after anonymization of personal identifiers.

Application Process

The selection process includes an interview which may be conducted virtually via Zoom. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the application requirements and seal submission dates, as late applications may not be considered. After the interview process, faculty members will rank candidates, and submissions will ultimately be matched through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP).

Fellowship Curriculum

The curriculum focuses on patient-centered bedside learning, supplemented by a series of conferences designed to enhance knowledge and skill in trauma surgery and surgical critical care. Weekly Topic-Based Conferences allow fellows to explore crucial subjects in-depth, fostering their development as lead educators by preparing presentations on chosen topics. Other educational meetings include Trauma Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences, Grand Rounds, Journal Clubs, and Quality Improvement initiatives where fellows can engage in scholarly activities.

Rotations

The fellowship features a structured rotation schedule. Fellows begin the year focusing intensively on critical care management alongside mandatory rotations in Surgical ICU, Neuro ICU, and Trauma ICU, with opportunities for elective rotations. The program is designed to maximize the educational value gained during these rotations, promoting both knowledge expansion and autonomy in patient care responsibilities during the fellow's last months.

Training Sites

The primary training site, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center, is a 407-bed tertiary care facility and the only ACS verified adult Level I Trauma Center in northern Louisiana. The institution hosts a range of specialized departments including a 14-bed Trauma ICU and various surgical and neurological ICUs. The expansive training environment and facilities allow for a rich educational experience.

Research Opportunities

While original research involvement is encouraged, ACGME requirements mandate that fellows engage in at least one quality improvement project during their fellowship year. Fellows can collaborate on department-wide initiatives and attend conferences relevant to their research interests.

Benefits and Salary

Fellows receive a salary commensurate with their level of training; for example, salaries for the 2024-2025 academic year are set at $68,584.48 for PGY-VI trainees, escalating to $81,200 for PGY-VII and higher-level trainees. Additional benefits include a tiered meal plan, various health insurance options, malpractice coverage, and disability insurance. Moreover, each fellow is provided access to essential learning materials, including textbooks and exam preparation tools.

Visa Support and Sponsorship

The program offers support for fellows requiring a visa to complete their training. Specific visa types that may be sponsored include J-1 and H-1B visas, accommodating international medical graduates who provide vital diversity to the training program.

Competitiveness

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at LSU Health Shreveport is competitive, with a strong emphasis on recruiting candidates who demonstrate exceptional skill and clinical judgment. The program is also friendly towards DO candidates and international medical graduates, expanding opportunities for a diverse applicant pool.