UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School, located within Baystate Health, offers a comprehensive training program designed to equip fellows with the skills necessary to excel in a variety of practice settings. This fellowship is characterized as innovative and individualized, emphasizing a collaborative environment within a large-level academic trauma center. Baystate Health serves as a tertiary care referral medical center, boasting decades of training experience across multiple residency and fellowship programs.

Program Structure

The fellowship spans a duration of two years, during which fellows will engage in a diverse curriculum aimed at improving mental health services for children and adolescents in multiple settings. The structure of the program is built around the principles of collaboration and community focus, ensuring that fellows benefit from comprehensive training that values relationships with faculty and peers.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum is meticulously designed to foster leadership skills, clinical acumen, and personal well-being. Key components of the training include:

• Participation in multidisciplinary teams while treating a wide variety of mental health issues.
• Experience in one of the nation's largest Child Partial Hospitalization Programs and an acclaimed Family Advocacy Center specializing in childhood trauma.
• A flexible approach allowing fellows to tailor their educational experience through elective opportunities, outpatient mental health services, and inpatient consultations.
• Engagement in academic activities through teaching, mentorship, and leadership roles, alongside fostering lifelong learning and professional development.

Application Process

The fellowship actively recruits applicants from diverse backgrounds to create an inclusive environment. Essential application requirements include:

• Completion of the Common ERAS Application Form.
• Submission of a curriculum vitae, dean's letter, transcript, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
• USMLE or COMLEX scores, with no required minimum score except for a pass by the second attempt for each part.
• U.S. clinical experience is required for applicants, along with valid ECFMG certification for international medical graduates.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program emphasizes the importance of diversity in its recruitment efforts, seeking applicants from various demographics, including those traditionally underrepresented in medicine. The fellowship fosters an inclusive culture where trainees are encouraged to engage in discussions surrounding health disparities and cultural competence as part of their training.

Visa Support and Requirements

For international medical graduates, the program supports J-1 Clinical Visas, which allows international fellows to experience advanced training in child and adolescent psychiatry in the United States. This program requires that all international applicants provide proof of U.S. clinical experience that encompasses direct patient care.

Fellowship Culture and Work Environment

The culture at UMass Chan Medical School's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship is described as collegial and collaborative. Emphasis is placed on faculty wellness and maintaining a work-life balance to ensure a conducive learning environment. With a small number of fellows, participants have the opportunity to forge strong mentor-mentee relationships and receive personalized attention throughout their training.

Fellow Life and Benefits

Fellows benefit from a competitive salary structure, which includes four weeks of vacation per year, professional development funds, meal subsidies, and insurance coverage for disability, malpractice, and health. Additionally, fellows enjoy the advantages of a lower cost of living in Western Massachusetts compared to larger urban centers.

Competitiveness

The fellowship is recognized as highly competitive, yet remains open to applicants from a variety of educational pathways, including those with DO qualifications and international medical graduates. There is no minimum score requirement on the USMLE or COMLEX exams, broadening access to a diverse range of candidates.