Old Dominion University Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is dedicated to training skilled professionals equipped to serve children and their families. The program is designed to provide fellow trainees with comprehensive clinical training, focused on advocacy for children's mental health, through a curriculum that emphasizes flexible and rigorous clinical practice.

Program Overview

The fellowship emphasizes an innovative approach to child and adolescent mental health care within a supportive, community-oriented environment. Training takes place at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, a state-of-the-art facility offering diverse clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient, and community-based experiences. This experience enables fellows to develop crucial competencies in integrated care and interdisciplinary collaboration while considering social determinants of health that affect pediatric populations 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to ensure fellows receive a comprehensive and diverse training experience. In the first year, fellows engage in acute care within interdisciplinary teams across various settings, including:

• Inpatient Psychiatry (three months)
• Partial Hospitalization Program (two months)
• Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (three months)
• Emergency Psychiatry (one month)
• Neurology Rotation (one month)
• Elective Rotations (two months)

This phase emphasizes family-centered care and developmentally specific therapeutic techniques. Fellows will also gain hands-on experience through longitudinal outpatient therapy, enabling them to hone their skills further in diverse therapeutic interventions.

The second year is primarily focused on longitudinal outpatient care, which includes:

• Outpatient Therapy (one day per week)
• Team-Based Outpatient Care (two days per week)
• Crisis Evaluations (half day per week)

The fellows also engage in a range of didactic seminars, covering critical areas such as child development and the mental health needs of specific populations, including LGBTQ+ youth and others affected by systemic inequities 2.

Unique Aspects

The program promotes equity and values diversity, aiming to shape fellows who can keenly address disparities among children experiencing mental health issues. The fellowship actively incorporates anti-discrimination teachings and practical engagements with vulnerable populations 3. Moreover, the program is committed to fostering a supportive work-life balance and mental wellness among its fellows, integrating wellness resources effectively into the training experience.

Training Sites

The primary training site, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, is notable as Virginia's only freestanding children’s hospital. It features 206 beds and includes advanced units dedicated to intensive care for pediatric patients, thus providing a rich environment for hands-on clinical training 1.

Application Process

To apply for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, candidates must meet certain prerequisites, including:

• Completion of at least the PGY-3 year of an ACGME-accredited general psychiatry training program
• Successful completion of USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3, or COMLEX Level 1 and 2
• Three letters of recommendation
• Participation through ERAS and NRMP Match

International applicants may be considered; the program sponsors J-1 visas regularly and can support H-1B visas in certain situations. It is also essential for international candidates to be ECFMG certified by July in the application year to be eligible for an interview 4.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellowship offers a competitive stipend structure, which for the academic year 2024-2025 is set at:

• Post Graduate Year 4: $70,644
• Post Graduate Year 5: $73,138
• Post Graduate Year 6: $75,487
• Post Graduate Year 7: $77,504

Fellows are also provided with comprehensive benefits that include health, dental, and vision insurance, along with life and long-term disability insurance options 5.

Faculty and Staff

The program's faculty comprises a diverse team of experienced professionals committed to fostering a rich educational environment. The instructional staff brings a wealth of knowledge across various specialties within child and adolescent psychiatry, providing fellows with mentorship and guidance throughout their training.

Diversity and Inclusion

This fellowship strongly emphasizes promoting equity, with structured outreach and engagement efforts to serve and understand diverse communities. Fellows are encouraged to engage with initiatives aimed at reducing health care disparities and enhancing mental health services for all populations 3.