Medical College of Georgia Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Augusta University offers a highly competitive training opportunity for surgeons aiming to enhance their skills in managing critically ill surgical patients. The program is designed to accept two fellows each year into a one-year curriculum that emphasizes intensive clinical experiences.

This fellowship is primarily based in a Level 1 Trauma Center, which serves as the academic medical center for the state of Georgia. Augusta University handles an impressive volume of trauma cases, averaging approximately 3,000 trauma activations—of which 18% involve penetrating trauma. Additionally, the center sees around 1,800 trauma admissions and performs over 1,200 general surgery operations each year. Such a high level of activity not only cultivates a rich learning environment but also ensures that fellows receive extensive exposure to a diverse array of complex cases daily, particularly through the closed Shock-Trauma ICU where most of the fellowship training occurs 1.

The fellows are given the unique opportunity to lead a large multidisciplinary team that includes residents, advanced practice providers, and medical students from the Medical College of Georgia. This collaborative environment nurtures hands-on experience and reinforces leadership skills, both essential for future practice. The faculty emphasizes a philosophy that this surgical fellowship should serve as a year dedicated to professional development rather than merely an extension of residency. Therefore, responsibilities are tailored to ensure that fellows experience significant autonomy that reflects their qualifications and experience 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is oriented toward delivering comprehensive training within all aspects of surgical critical care. Fellows will engage in active trauma management, bedside procedures, and critical care rounds. The program integrates various clinical scenarios to prepare fellows for real-world challenges, focusing on patient care, decision-making, and surgical interventions.

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant component of the fellowship, with emphasis on advancing the fields of surgical critical care and trauma management. Fellows are encouraged to participate in ongoing research projects, contributing to scholarly work that can enhance clinical practices. The program aims to foster a robust academic environment that motivates fellows to engage in innovative research strategies that improve patient outcomes 1.

Living in Augusta

Augusta is a vibrant and growing city that balances metropolitan amenities with a lower cost of living. It has a population of around 450,000 and offers ample opportunities for recreation, dining, and entertainment. Known for the prestigious Masters Golf tournament, Augusta features numerous parks and cultural venues that add to its appeal as a living environment for fellows. Furthermore, its geographical location allows easy access to several southern attractions such as Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, and various natural landscapes, providing a rich lifestyle on and off duty 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship program is supportive of international medical graduates and offers sponsorship for necessary visa types, making it an accessible training environment for talented candidates worldwide. Competitively, the program welcomes both D.O. and international medical graduates, ensuring that all eligible applicants are given a fair opportunity to join this esteemed fellowship. However, due to the specialized nature of the training, candidates are reviewed rigorously during the selection process 1.

Special Application Requirements

While the program is open to a diverse range of applicants, certain prerequisites must be met. Applicants ideally should have completed residency in a surgical specialty. Candidates should also be aware of any specific criteria related to year of graduation from medical school and performance thresholds on standardized examinations that may influence application approval.