University of Hawaii Program

The University of Hawaii Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program is a comprehensive two-year training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This program allows psychiatry residents to apply for fellowship positions after completing either their PGY-3 (fast tracking) or PGY-4 year. The program is primarily based at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC), which is the only dedicated pediatric and maternal hospital affiliated with the University of Hawaii, serving not only Hawaii but also the broader Pacific Basin.

Established in 1970, the program focuses on delivering a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art child and adolescent psychiatric care, developing new models of care, and involving research in psychosocial and neurobiological factors, including epidemiology and cultural psychiatry that are relevant to the ethnically diverse populations served by the program.1

Training Objectives and Curriculum

The training program is designed to develop competent child and adolescent psychiatrists who can manage a wide range of psychiatric disorders occurring in children and adolescents across various clinical settings. The curriculum emphasizes:

• Developmentally appropriate diagnostic evaluation and management skills across different environments.
• Outpatient, consultation-liaison, and systems-based child psychiatry skills.
• Emergency child and adolescent psychiatry management skills tailored to an economically and ethnically diverse patient population.
• Competence in clinical services, administration, teaching, research, and advocacy.
• Providing patient care in Hawaii's mental health system and other culturally diverse settings.

Overall, the curriculum is structured to foster the development of clinical skills, evidence-based practices, and the ability to engage in ongoing critical appraisal and lifelong learning.1

Didactic and Clinical Training

The didactic component includes academic days protected from clinical responsibilities, scheduled weekly on Wednesdays, where various seminars are offered:

• Orientation Seminar Series covering basic assessment, child development, and psychodynamic psychiatry.
• Regular infant psychiatry and family therapy seminars, alternating years.
• Psychotherapy seminars focusing on individual and family therapy methodologies.
• Journal clubs and quality improvement initiatives that provide avenues for fellows to engage in case study discussions and review literature that informs clinical practice.

Additionally, the program includes opportunities for participation in Grand Rounds and visiting professors' lectures, which further enrich the educational experiences of the fellows. Attendance at these conferences is mandatory to enhance the fellows' exposure to both national and local psychiatric expertise.1

Rotation Schedule and Training Sites

The fellowship includes rotations at various training sites, each offering unique opportunities for clinical exposure:

• Queen’s Family Treatment Center: A facility with both inpatient and outpatient components that serves a diverse patient demographic.
• Queen’s Youth Partial Hospital Program/Youth Intensive Outpatient Program: Focuses on patients with mid-level acuity needing higher care through various modalities.
• Outpatient Clinic (Queen’s Counseling Service): Offers long-term psychotherapy experiences and extensive training in outpatient service delivery.
• Kapiolani Behavioral Health Services: Provides comprehensive training in longitudinal outpatient care along with exposure to inpatient and outpatient settings.
• State of Hawaii Department of Health, Mental Health Division: Involvement in community and systems of care at facilities addressing disruptive behavior and substance abuse issues in youth.

These varied experiences are designed to ensure that fellows develop a well-rounded approach to child and adolescent psychiatry, preparing them for diverse career paths in the field.1

Competitiveness and Application Process

The program is recognized as highly competitive, with a limited number of positions available each year (typically three PGY-4 positions). The program is welcoming to both U.S. and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who must hold the standard Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification. The program requests that applicants have valid documentation and a well-documented educational history, including transcripts.1

International applicants must have a J-1 visa for the duration of the fellowship. The fellowship emphasizes a collaborative approach and values diversity among its trainee cohort—a reflection of Hawaii's multicultural society. The application process utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and interviews are conducted virtually, by invitation only.1

Unique Features of the Program

One of the standout aspects of the University of Hawaii fellowship is its commitment to community engagement and culturally tailored psychiatric practice. The training not only equips fellows with necessary clinical skills but also fosters cultural competencies that are essential for engaging with Hawaii's diverse population, including underserved communities. Research and advocacy are woven into the fabric of training, with fellows encouraged to partake in scholarly activities that may afford opportunities for publication and knowledge dissemination.1

Benefits and Salary

Fellows are provided competitive benefits and salaries, in line with ACGME standards. These benefits reflect the program's commitment to ensuring well-being during the fellowship training, supporting professional development opportunities like attendance at educational conferences, and providing resources for quality improvement initiatives within the community.1