Old Dominion University Program

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University provides a comprehensive and academically rigorous training environment for physicians seeking to specialize in pediatric emergency medicine. This fellowship program is uniquely positioned within the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, which is Virginia's only freestanding children's hospital and serves as a regional pediatric referral center for coastal Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

The fellowship is an ACGME-accredited three-year program that leads to eligibility for American Board of Pediatrics subspecialty certification in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. It is designed to train fellows as clinical, academic, and research experts in the field while utilizing the resources available at a pediatric Level I trauma center and burn unit that handles over 50,000 annual visits in its Emergency Department.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum encompasses four major experiences: clinical, teaching, administrative, and research. Clinical experiences involve direct supervision in the Emergency Department at CHKD while teaching experiences allow fellows to engage with residents and medical students in lecture design and delivery. Administrative roles are filled by fellows who participate in hospital committee activities, and research opportunities include a first-year research boot camp and independent scholarly projects suitable for publication or presentation.

In the first year, fellows attend an introductory course covering emergency ultrasound and trauma procedures and spend six months primarily in the Emergency Department while also engaging in various core off-service clinical rotations such as Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and adult emergency medicine. As the program progresses into the second and third years, fellows are expected to complete core clinical rotations, increase their proficiency as educators and researchers, and participate in advanced ultrasound courses. Notably, fellows have the opportunity to complete numerous electives that diversify their training experience, ranging from adolescent medicine to wilderness medicine.

Research and Faculty Involvement

The faculty involved in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship are extensively published and lead numerous ongoing research projects. Faculty members participate actively in various committees focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and educational leadership within the health institution. Fellows are encouraged to engage in research from the onset of their training, with biostatistics support and mentorship available through the program.

This supportive environment fosters a culture of inquiry and discovery, allowing fellows ample time to dedicate to their research projects.

Training Sites

Fellows rotate through significant training sites, including:

• Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters: Primary site for Emergency Department training, featuring advanced neonatal and pediatric intensive care units.
• Sentara Norfolk General Hospital: A well-equipped Level I trauma center that provides exposure to adult emergency medicine and various interventional programs.
• Blue Ridge Poison Center: Focuses on toxicological training where fellows learn to handle calls related to poisonings, gaining critical insights into emergency toxicology.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program offers visa support and can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas for eligible international medical graduates. Given its comprehensive approach, the program remains competitive, attracting strong candidates from both U.S. medical schools as well as international medical graduates. Factors such as prior experience, research interest, and breadth of clinical exposure play a role in the selection process.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to submit a complete application, including a recent photo, personal statement, CV, MSPE, medical school transcript, and USMLE or COMLEX transcripts via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). It is notable that two fellowship positions are awarded each year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Notably, there are no maximum failed STEP exams stipulated, although applicants are generally expected to have completed their medical training within a specified timeframe.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellowship provides a competitive stipend with additional merit pay for fellows making satisfactory progress in their research endeavors. Educational benefits include coverage for conferences, access to online journals, and eligibility for various advanced degrees and certificate programs at no additional cost. The program supports fellows' well-being with comprehensive health benefits and a focus on work-life balance.