UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program at UMass Chan Medical School, in collaboration with UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, is designed to provide advanced training for physicians looking to specialize in pediatric emergency care. The program aims to develop practitioners who are not only proficient in emergency medical care but also skilled educators and leaders in pediatric emergency medicine, ensuring a comprehensive training experience for its fellows 1.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship spans three years for pediatric-trained fellows and two years for those trained in emergency medicine. The curriculum is structured into three key phases:

First Year

The first year focuses on exposing fellows to a wide variety of pediatric emergency cases, ensuring they are comfortable with both evaluation and stabilization procedures. Clinical experiences are complemented by didactic sessions and a weekly educational conference, where fellows begin cultivating their teaching skills by engaging with medical students and residents. The groundwork for research activities is also established during this year 23.

Second Year

Fellows gain continued exposure to critically ill children and take on increased responsibilities, including supervising junior trainees and managing the pediatric emergency department. This year emphasizes further development of procedural skills, as well as ongoing involvement in educational and scholarly activities 3.

Third Year

The final year allows fellows to achieve proficiency in managing a busy pediatric emergency department while understanding the administrative functions required of an attending physician. Fellows are empowered to operate independently in patient care and to continue their involvement in teaching 3.

Research Opportunities

Research is a cornerstone of the fellowship, with all PEM fellows expected to complete an individual research project. The program emphasizes the development of research skills in a supportive environment. First-year fellows are introduced to core research concepts and design their projects with the help of a Scholarly Oversight Committee. As clinical responsibilities decrease in the second and third years, fellows can focus more on their research, offering opportunities to present at various academic meetings 4.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The UMass Chan Medical School’s Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program offers several distinctive features:

• The program accepts graduates from both pediatric and emergency medicine residency programs, ensuring a diverse cohort 5.
• Pediatric fellows can achieve a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation with full funding support, fostering research and clinical investigation skills during fellowship 6.
• Fellows can also pursue a Master of Public Health through UMass Amherst, enhancing their public health knowledge and professional skills 7.
• The fellowship benefits from close collaboration with various departments, providing fellows with a broad range of mentorship opportunities in research, quality improvement, and clinical care 5.

Pediatric Emergency Department Facilities

The Pediatric Emergency Department is housed within the Duddie Massad Emergency and Trauma Center, recognized for its provision of Level I trauma care for all age groups. The pediatric facility boasts numerous amenities designed to create a comfortable and efficient care environment, including private treatment rooms, advanced imaging capabilities, dedicated mental health care rooms, and quick access trauma facilities 8.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, highlighting a dedication to diversity among its trainees and faculty. This effort aims to reflect the diverse patient population served by the pediatric emergency department, reinforcing the importance of culturally competent care 9.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is recognized as highly competitive, welcoming both DO and IMG applicants. It provides visa sponsorship for both J-1 and H-1B visas, allowing international medical graduates to apply 9.

Application Requirements

Applicants are typically required to have graduated from their medical school within a specific time frame and must meet certain performance benchmarks on licensing exams. Notably, the program may have policies regarding the maximum number of failed USMLE Step exams 10.