Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University Health Program

Program Overview

The Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship program at Rhode Island Hospital, affiliated with Brown University, is meticulously designed to furnish rigorous training in the management of critically ill surgical patients. This one-year fellowship emphasizes hands-on learning through direct patient care under the guidance of experienced faculty members. Trainees will gain comprehensive competencies in various essential areas such as resuscitation, emergency management, long-term care for organ failure, and administrative oversight of the intensive care unit.

Clinical Experience

During the fellowship, additional didactic clinical education is provided through a series of weekly conferences, including the Critical Care Fellow's Conference and the Multidisciplinary Critical Care Conference. Fellows also engage in various specialized curricula, courses, and seminars that may provide them with credentials to become course directors. Notable courses include Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Fundamentals in Critical Care Support (FCCS), and Critical Care and Trauma Ultrasound/ECHO training. Through these experiences, fellows are encouraged to define their interests and develop clinical, research, educational, and administrative skills vital for their academic careers.

Research Opportunities

The program maintains an active focus on research, particularly in the domains of surgical infectious diseases and nutritional support. Fellowship candidates can engage in ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical research and participate in various multicenter trials concerning critical care, trauma, and surgical complications. The program hosts a comprehensive database dedicated to surgical critical care and an extensive trauma registry to support these endeavors.

Rotations and Responsibilities

The Acute Care Surgery Fellowship also comprises a second-year option, offering extensive exposure to various surgical specialties. Key rotations include emergency general surgery, hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery, and thoracic surgery, among others. This diverse clinical exposure allows fellows to develop not just surgical competence but also critical decision-making skills essential for managing complex surgical cases. Fellows will encounter graduated responsibilities with support from attending surgeons, which includes in-house trauma and ACS calls.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship offers a salary level equivalent to a PGY-6, along with professional liability insurance. Fellows are entitled to four weeks of vacation and receive partial health, disability, and life insurance coverage. Academic roles as clinical instructors at The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University offer further professional development and opportunities to enhance teaching capabilities.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship program must submit specific documentation, including a CV, a letter of recommendation from the Department of Surgery's Chairperson, and two additional letters of recommendation from faculty members within the department. These requirements ensure that candidates have the requisite background and mentor support necessary for success.

Visa Support

The program actively supports international applicants and can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visa types. This initiative demonstrates the program's commitment to fostering a diverse training environment that includes residents from various backgrounds.

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship is known for being competitive, attracting a diverse pool of candidates, including both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program values a range of backgrounds and experiences, contributing to an inclusive fellowship that seeks to cultivate exceptional surgical leaders.