University of Kansas School of Medicine Program

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship program at the University of Kansas School of Medicine aims to develop future leaders in surgical critical care through a robust educational experience and exposure to complex patient care. The program operates at The University of Kansas Health System, recognized as a quaternary referral center and the busiest Level 1 trauma center in Kansas City, offering a diverse patient population that facilitates extensive hands-on training.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship encompasses a comprehensive curriculum structured into 13 four-week rotations, primarily involving intensive care settings. Fellows spend the majority of their training within the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), which is equipped with 20 beds and caters to a variety of surgical patients with complex needs, including trauma, acute care surgery, urology, surgical oncology, and more. Additionally, two rotations are allocated to the cardiothoracic ICU, where fellows manage patients undergoing a spectrum of cardiac procedures.

Elective rotations form a crucial part of the training, allowing fellows to tailor their experiences to their interests. These opportunities include Emergency General Surgery, Nutrition, Infectious Disease, Neuro ICU, Palliative Care, and Anesthesia, among others. On-call responsibilities while on SICU rotations facilitate practical experience in trauma activations and emergency general surgical consults, further enriching the training experience 1.

Educational Conferences

To complement the clinical training, the program includes a series of weekly educational conferences designed to bolster the fellows' academic foundations. These include a Trauma Morbidity and Mortality Conference, Core Curriculum Multidisciplinary Conferences, and a Journal Club that promotes engagement with current literature, case discussions, and quality improvement 4.

Research Opportunities

The program is committed to fostering a research-oriented environment. A dedicated research program manager offers support through the process of project conception to completion, which includes regulatory guidance, data collection, and writing assistance. This infrastructure is pivotal for fellows who aspire to develop their careers as surgeon-investigators.7

Application Process and Requirements

The application process for the fellowship utilizes the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship application service (SAFAS). Applicants must have completed an accredited US general surgery residency prior to beginning the fellowship and demonstrate eligibility for the surgical critical care board exam upon completion.

To apply, candidates submit a detailed application including a CV, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Due to the competitive nature of the program, which accepts two fellows per year, applicants are encouraged to present strong credentials 8.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship primarily in the form of J-1 and H-1B visas. This support is vital for international medical graduates aiming to pursue their specialty training within the program while complying with US immigration requirements.

Competitiveness and Friendly Policies

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine is generally considered highly competitive. It welcomes applications from both US-trained graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), reflecting a commitment to diversity and inclusivity within its training environment 6.

Unique Aspects

A distinctive feature of the program is its adaptability; it aims to tailor the training experience to the fellows' individual professional goals and academic interests. This flexibility, combined with a dedication to evidence-based care and leadership training, positions the program uniquely amongst other surgical critical care fellowships.