Spartanburg Medical Center Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Spartanburg Medical Center is an ACGME-accredited fellowship, lasting one year. Fellowship completion qualifies individuals to sit for the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care examination from the American Board of Surgery 1.

Program Overview

The fellowship program is designed to provide comprehensive training in the multidisciplinary care of critically ill surgical patients. Spartanburg Medical Center (SMC) serves as a key location for this training, being a 540-bed research and teaching facility recognized as an American College of Surgeons verified Level I Trauma Center. This facility serves as a tertiary referral center, offering an extensive range of medical and surgical services to patients across Upstate South Carolina and southwestern North Carolina 1.

Fellows will undergo training in various environments, spending at least ten months on the Surgical Critical Care (SCC) service with additional opportunities for elective rotations, including Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Cardiovascular Critical Care, Medical Critical Care, and Pediatric Critical Care. The SCC faculty comprises nine fellowship-trained surgeons who provide support throughout the fellowship duration 1.

Curriculum Components and Training Sites

The fellowship offers structured rotations through five intensive care units, allocating 54 beds dedicated to critically ill patients. The SCC fellows are assured a graduated responsibility system, allowing increasing independence as the fellowship progresses. They supervise a team that consists of other trainees, interns, and medical students under the mentorship of the SCC faculty 1.

Fellows will gain proficiency in bedside ultrasound and have the chance to work with advanced technologies such as ECMO and cardiac assist devices. The program emphasizes clinical practice supplemented by unit administration and provides opportunities for clinical research. Those interested in research can engage in projects aimed at enhancing clinical practices 1.

Application Process

Applicants for the fellowship must submit their applications using the online SAFAS (Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship Application Service) process. It is imperative that candidates adhere to the specific deadlines outlined by SAFAS for their applications to be reviewed 2.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is known to be highly competitive, attracting applicants with diverse backgrounds in medicine. Candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited general surgery program and be either board eligible or board certified in general surgery. There are no specific limits on the number of failed STEP exams indicated, although applicants are generally expected to meet a high standard of academic achievement 1.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. It is essential that candidates inquire about the specific types of visas supported by the program to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Fellow Experiences

Current and past fellows have expressed a strong preference for Spartanburg Medical Center due to its high-acuity patient care and the supportive environment created by faculty and residents. Experiences such as face-to-face mentoring and active involvement in complex cases contribute to a robust educational environment 3.

Salary and Benefits

Salary details and benefit packages for the fellows are typically competitive and should be reviewed during the interview or accepted offer phase. The financial support provided facilitates the pursuit of higher levels of education and training within the critical care domain.