Nicklaus Children's Hospital Program

Overview of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program

The Pediatric Gastroenterology Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders affecting infants, children, and adolescents. The program adopts a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of each patient and their family. Comprehensive services are provided through various centers, including the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center and the Eating Disorders Program.

Consultations are available in both English and Spanish, facilitating better communication and understanding for diverse families.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum for fellows in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program is designed to provide extensive clinical exposure to various gastrointestinal disorders. The training includes hands-on experience in common procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and nutritional assessments. The program's fellows benefit from direct mentorship from experienced faculty who are specialists in their respective fields.

Regular multidisciplinary team meetings promote collaboration across specialties, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows participate in various clinical rotations that cover all aspects of pediatric gastroenterology, including rotations in specialized clinics such as:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
• Eating Disorders Program
• Hepatology
• Nutrition Services

Each rotation is structured to provide in-depth exposure to clinical practices while allowing fellows to actively participate in patient management.

Research Opportunities

Research is a cornerstone of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program. Fellows are encouraged to engage in research activities, often leading projects that focus on innovative treatment strategies and advancements in the field. The program collaborates with various research initiatives, particularly in the realms of inflammatory bowel disease and pediatric nutritional disorders.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Pediatric Gastroenterology Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital offers several distinctive features:

• Multidisciplinary Team Approach: The program integrates various specialists, including pediatric nutritionists, psychologists, and social workers, to provide comprehensive care.
• Outpatient Services: With multiple outpatient locations, the program ensures accessible care for children across the Miami area.
• Innovative Therapies: The program employs cutting-edge treatment protocols, including the use of new medications for treating chronic gastrointestinal conditions.

The emphasis on comprehensive, family-centered care sets the program apart in the landscape of pediatric gastroenterology.

Training Sites

The Pediatric Gastroenterology Program operates primarily out of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, complemented by various outpatient centers across Southern Florida. Key locations for clinical training include:

• Main Hospital Campus: Offers state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive medical services.
• Outpatient Centers: Various sites across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties ensure extensive community reach.

Fellows will rotate through these sites, gaining a wide range of experiences and increasing their ability to manage diverse patient populations.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates seeking to join the fellowship. The types of visas available include J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorship, facilitating the application process for those qualified candidates.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission into the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program is competitive, taking into consideration the overall qualifications of applicants, including board scores, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation. The program is open to both MD and DO applicants, as well as international medical graduates, demonstrating its inclusive nature.

The program typically expects that applicants have graduated from medical school within a defined period and have not more than one failed examination on the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2.