New York Presbyterian Hospital Program

The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine program, in collaboration with Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, offers a comprehensive fellowship designed to educate and train clinicians in the specialized field of pediatric rehabilitation. The fellowship is two years in duration and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for board certification in this subspecialty, enhancing their qualifications in the field of pediatric rehabilitation.

One of the unique features of the program is its clinical curriculum, which combines inpatient care, acute hospital consultation, and outpatient care across multiple renowned institutions. Trainees will gain exposure to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and Blythedale Children’s Hospital, offering them a diverse range of pediatric cases and rehabilitation techniques. At MSKCC, fellows will focus on rehabilitation issues specific to children undergoing cancer treatment, addressing functional sequelae related to the cancer itself and its treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy 1.

The program emphasizes hands-on procedural training, including spasticity management techniques, such as ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections and phenol nerve blocks. This practical training is essential for fellows as they learn to provide comprehensive rehabilitation for a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injuries 3.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship's curriculum provides a well-rounded clinical experience, with rotations structured to include interdisciplinary care settings. Each fellow participates in outpatient clinics and day hospital activities throughout their training, which includes a continuity clinic each month 4. In addition, they are involved in didactic opportunities, such as workshops and conferences hosted by leading institutions and experts in pediatric rehabilitation. These educational experiences aim to equip fellows with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as future leaders in pediatric rehabilitation medicine.

Clinical Training Sites

The primary clinical sites for the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship include:

• Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital: A tertiary care facility with 250 beds, offers specialized services geared towards diverse pediatric populations.
• Blythedale Children’s Hospital: Specializes in caring for children with complex medical issues related to rehabilitation and features an extensive pediatric therapy department.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Provides insight into rehabilitation for children undergoing various cancer treatments.

This diverse range of clinical experiences prepares fellows to navigate the complexities of pediatric rehabilitation effectively.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship provides fellows with research opportunities where they can engage in scholarly activities and quality improvement projects, supported by a robust faculty mentorship structure. The fellowship allocates 20% of research time, where fellows can develop skills related to IRB preparation, study design, and methodology 5. This aspect of the program enhances both the clinical and academic training of the fellows, allowing them to contribute valuable knowledge to the field.

Application and Competitiveness

The fellowship is competitive and requires applicants to have completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The program actively supports international medical graduates (IMGs) and has specific application requirements, including proof of completion of residency and participation in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) 2. The program encourages diversity and inclusivity, aiming to recruit individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Visa Support

The Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine fellowship can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas for international applicants, contributing to a more diverse educational environment.