SUNY Upstate Medical University Program

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University aims to cultivate leaders in the specialized field of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. The fellowship offers a comprehensive two to three-year training experience that emphasizes clinical expertise, research acumen, and educational contributions within this vital subspecialty.

Program Overview

The fellowship is hosted at the Pediatric Emergency Department of Upstate University Hospital, one of the pioneering departments in the country established outside of a standalone children's hospital over two decades ago. This program is commended for maintaining high standards in pediatric care through its clinical excellence, education, and research initiatives. With an increasing number of annual visits, there are expectations of further growth, particularly with the upcoming opening of Golisano Children's Hospital.

The fellowship comprises four available positions and offers a structured salary and benefit package comparable to that of a PG-4 resident. Accrued benefits include office space, research support, and participation in national conferences such as the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Training Environment

University Hospital functions as the tertiary care center for Central New York, featuring a Level I Trauma Center, critical care resources, and the region's only pediatric intensive care unit. The Pediatric Emergency Department is recognized for its extensive role in providing emergency services across a 15-county area, catering to a demographic spanning from urban to rural settings, with supervision from highly skilled Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine physicians.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum integrates both core and elective rotations, consisting of a total of 12 4-week blocks in Year 1, which includes significant time spent within the Pediatric Emergency Department and various other clinical specialties. Fellows will acquire critical skills such as airway management, sedation techniques, trauma assessment, and pain management. Additionally, they will have exposure to pediatrics through rotations in Pediatric Anesthesia, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Outpatient services, and Pediatric Surgery.

Year 1: Initial Training

Year 1 includes intensive clinical rotations primarily focused on the Pediatric Emergency Department, providing hands-on experience in managing trauma and acutely ill children. Additional blocks are allocated to gaining skills in pediatric anesthesia, intensive care, and outpatient pediatrics, where fellows can appreciate normal child development, routine immunizations, and the management of minor pediatric illnesses.

Year 2: Advanced Training

In the second year, fellows continue their clinical training in the Pediatric Emergency Department while also partaking in dedicated blocks for Pediatric Orthopedics, Toxicology, and Child Abuse Evaluation. This structured exposure consolidates fellows' knowledge of pediatric trauma and enables them to manage potential injuries from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Research and Teaching Responsibilities

The research component of the fellowship forms an integral part, with expectations for fellows to complete at least one original research project, ideally presented at a national meeting. Fellows will participate in various educational roles, including teaching residents and medical students, conducting bedside teaching, and leading didactic sessions on pediatric emergency topics.

Participants are also encouraged to engage in quality assurance activities within the department and undertake administrative responsibilities related to pediatric emergency medicine.

Application Details

Application to the fellowship requires candidates to have completed their primary training in either Emergency Medicine or Pediatrics. Additionally, eligibility prerequisites might include specific requirements regarding graduation year and USMLE performance, which must be clarified in the application materials.

Eligibility and Visa Sponsorship

In terms of eligibility, the fellowship is designed to be friendly for a diverse pool of applicants, including DO and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program offers visa sponsorship for appropriate candidates, making it accessible to those who meet the fellowship's stringent requirements.

Competitiveness

This fellowship is competitive in nature, attracting high-caliber candidates from various backgrounds. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to furthering their education and skills in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.