McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology Fellowship at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is dedicated to training future leaders in the field of cardiac anesthesiology. This program aims to provide optimal anesthetic care that supports the developmental potential of children with heart disease, ensuring that these vulnerable patients receive care from highly skilled professionals.

The fellowship training focuses on educating fellows in safe and contemporary practices of anesthetic management and perioperative care, covering a patient demographic from neonates to adults with congenital heart disease. The fellowship program has a robust structure that integrates clinical experience, educational programs, and research opportunities based at the Heart Center at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, a 360-bed state-of-the-art facility located next to Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine and centrally located in downtown Chicago.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows in the program work closely with board-certified pediatric anesthesia faculty across various clinical settings. These settings include complex pediatric surgical cases, perioperative pain management, and critical care. The program emphasizes maintaining an equitable clinical experience, where fellows' case logs are frequently evaluated by the program director and operating room schedulers. The program ensures that fellows consistently surpass all ACGME minimums, achieving over the 75th percentile nationally for neonatal cases and peripheral nerve blocks.

Training Goals & Responsibilities

Pediatric cardiac anesthesiology fellows gain extensive training in the perioperative management of patients suffering from congenital heart disease. Key responsibilities include the anesthetic management of these patients while progressing towards independence as outlined in educational milestones. The structured curriculum incorporates various learning modalities, including case conferences, educational lectures, and hands-on pediatric cardiac anesthesia rotations covering vital areas such as cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac ICU practices. By the end of the fellowship, fellows are expected to competently manage patients in the cardiac anesthesia environment.

Lecture Series & Additional Education

The fellowship includes participation in a dedicated cardiac anesthesia lecture series, with additional opportunities to attend relevant educational events in areas such as cardiac ICU, cardiac catheterization lab, heart failure, and cardiology. These educational experiences support its fellows in developing comprehensive knowledge and skills in cardiac anesthesia.

Benefits

Fellows receive competitive benefits in addition to those provided by McGaw Medical Center, which include:

• A PGY5 salary for the academic year set at $74,885.
• 20 paid vacation days for PGY-2 and higher.
• 2 weeks of sick time, aligning with Northwestern GME policies.
• 1 week of meeting time, contingent upon program director approval.
• A $2,000 meeting allowance (subject to program director approval).
• Dedicated office space with computer access.
• Essential e-textbooks provided by the department.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit a complete application to the program coordinator, which includes the following documents:

• Personal statement
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Three letters of recommendation
• McGaw application

The program welcomes applications and participates in the NRMP Pediatric Anesthesiology Match process. It is important for candidates to understand that the fellowship is competitive, and thus, meeting specific eligibility criteria, including a defined year of graduation, prior qualifications, and performance metrics, will play vital roles in the selection process.

Visa Support

The program supports international fellows by providing visa sponsorship, including the J-1 Visa and H-1B Visa types. This ensures that qualified international medical graduates can participate in the fellowship and contribute to the rich learning environment.

Moreover, the training at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University promises diverse clinical experiences and outstanding education within the vibrant context of Chicago. The fellowship is designed not only to enhance clinical skills but also to foster research opportunities that align with fellows' professional growth aspirations.