Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Program

The Critical Care Medicine (CCM) Fellowship Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) aims to develop proficient critical care practitioners and offer extensive exposure to clinical research investigations in the realm of critical care medicine. This comprehensive program is structured to ensure that fellows receive a rigorous education, harnessing expert faculty guidance, cutting-edge research opportunities, and hands-on clinical exposure in an advanced medical environment.

Program Structure

The CCM fellowship at MSKCC offers both one-year and two-year training options, accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Each year, the program accommodates 12 fellows, representing a diverse background typically involving primary specialties in internal medicine or emergency medicine, along with secondary specialties in pulmonary, nephrology, and infectious diseases. The program is notably competitive, favoring candidates who are highly qualified and coming from various esteemed institutions across the United States.

Rotations and Clinical Experience

One-year fellows engage in a total of 12 months of clinical rotations across three hospitals:

• MSKCC: 7 months, which includes 1 month dedicated to operating room rotations to enhance airway management skills.
• New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) Cornell Medical Center: 1 month focusing on cardiothoracic surgery, 1 month on surgical trauma, and 1 month in neurocritical care.
• New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens (NYHMCQ): 1 month in a community-based medical ICU.

For two-year fellows, the second year emphasizes increased opportunities for directing ICUs, mentoring first-year fellows, and elective time for completing research projects launched during the first year. Elective rotations are available in various subspecialties, including echocardiography, infectious disease, pulmonary medicine, interventional pulmonology, and nephrology at MSKCC.

Educational and Research Curriculum

The educational curriculum of the fellowship incorporates a comprehensive array of didactic sessions including a core lecture series, visiting professor lectures, grand rounds, and skill workshops. Fellows are actively encouraged to engage in research, which may lead to presentations at local and national conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. The involvement in patient safety and quality improvement projects is also an integral component of the training.

Clinical Care Responsibilities

The CCM faculty, along with fellows, advanced practice providers, and residents, provide care in a state-of-the-art, 20-bed adult medical-surgical ICU. This multidisciplinary team is responsible for managing a high volume of ICU admissions, consultations, and rapid response calls per year. The faculty comprises 18 intensivists with diverse specializations, enhancing the educational experience through its multidisciplinary approach.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes significant research components, with numerous ongoing clinical trials addressing key issues such as sepsis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Research efforts include collaborative studies with national and international networks, as well as innovative internal projects focusing on outcomes, readmissions, and the efficacy of critical care practices.

Application Process and Eligibility

To be eligible for the CCM fellowship, applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of ACGME-accredited residency training in internal medicine or emergency medicine in the United States. The application process is managed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), requiring candidates to submit their documentation, including letters of recommendation, USMLE exam results, and a personal statement. Interviews typically occur between August and October.

Visa Sponsorship

The program is committed to supporting its international applicants through visa sponsorship, typically offering sponsorship for J-1 exchange visitor visas, which is common for fellowship training programs in the United States.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Graduates of the CCM fellowship from MSKCC are well positioned for advanced critical care roles, securing positions in both community teaching and university-affiliated hospitals throughout the country. Many alumni have gone on to hold influential positions such as ICU directors and faculty roles in residency and fellowship programs.