Orlando Health Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Orlando Health is a comprehensive 12-month program that is accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program is designed to prepare fellows for careers in either academic or private practice surgical critical care. Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (OHORMC) serves as the primary site for this training, which has a high volume of trauma and ICU admissions annually, making it an ideal setting for advanced surgical critical care training 1.

Program Overview

Since its inception in 1997, the program has evolved to meet the growing demands of surgical critical care, recently increasing its annual fellow positions from two to three. Fellows engage directly in high-stakes clinical environments, with over 6,000 trauma admissions and 3,000 ICU admissions each year at OHORMC, which is the busiest Level I trauma center in the state 2. The program's educational philosophy emphasizes the development of practical skills alongside critical thinking and research capabilities, ensuring that graduates emerge as competent clinicians and educators in the field.

Clinical Training Sites

Fellows train primarily at OHORMC, which is a flagship facility boasting 808 beds and comprehensive trauma, stroke, and burn services. The hospital is equipped with advanced technology and provides a rich clinical environment for surgical critical care training 3. Additionally, the fellows may have opportunities to rotate through other hospitals within the Orlando Health system, broadening their clinical exposure and experience.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum begins with an intensive twelve-week lecture series that lays the groundwork for critical care management, followed by practical bedside training. The training includes significant opportunities for fellows to engage in bimonthly evidence-based medicine guideline development working conferences and other specialized conferences throughout the year. The fellowship's rotation schedule typically encompasses 8-9 months in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, supplemented by rotations in Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Burn Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, and Cardiothoracic Surgery, among others 45.

Rotation Opportunities

Among the specific rotation opportunities, fellows will participate in Surgical Intensive Care Unit months, Critical Care Medicine months, and specialized rotations in trauma, burn care, and other subspecialties as required to ensure a well-rounded education 6.

Research and Professional Development

The program emphasizes research and scholarly activities, encouraging fellows to engage in clinical research and quality improvement projects. This involvement prepares fellows to contribute to advancements in surgical critical care and improves their leadership capabilities within health care settings 7. Each fellow is expected to complete research presentations and participate in various conferences, including a monthly Research Conference where project ideas can be developed and refined.

Application Requirements

To apply for this fellowship, candidates must have completed at least three clinical years in an ACGME-accredited residency program in fields such as surgery, anesthesiology, or obstetrics/gynecology. The program accepts four fellows per year, and candidates with a background in preliminary positions do not meet the prerequisites for acceptance 8. The application process utilizes the Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS), with all applications submitted through this centralized service 9.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The program offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates, typically with H-1B visas. Competition for fellowship positions is high, with a preference for applicants who have completed reputable ACGME-accredited residency programs. The program demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, being friendly towards DO and IMG applicants who meet established criteria 10.

Conclusion

Overall, the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Orlando Health provides a rigorous training environment where fellows can develop into skilled surgical intensivists, equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary for success in both clinical and academic settings.