University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Program

The Pediatric Surgery Residency and Fellowship Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center offers a comprehensive two-year ACGME-accredited clinical training program tailored for those seeking advanced expertise in pediatric surgical care. The program accepts one fellow each year and is designed to provide a rigorous yet enriching educational experience.

Graduates from the program benefit from extensive hands-on training with a remarkable average of approximately 1,800 cases managed during fellowship. The program boasts a 100 percent board passage rate, underscoring its commitment to exceptional educational standards. The educational environment is enhanced by the facilities that serve as a regional center for specialized pediatric services, operating the only fully dedicated, free-standing pediatric hospital in the state and hosting the unique Level Four NICU within the region.

Each year, the surgical team performs over 2,500 pediatric surgical operations, encountering and managing an average of 14,000 hospital admissions. The training program emphasizes a range of clinical competencies, fostering responsibility, self-directed learning, and broad clinical exposure.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum prioritizes supervision alongside progressive responsibility. During the first year, trainees are introduced to a full spectrum of common and tertiary pediatric surgical challenges, focusing on the comprehensive care of pediatric patients. The second year aims to cultivate independence in patient management, with an increase in technical skill and a collaboration on research initiatives with faculty members.

Fellows are responsible for overseeing patient care, including inpatient management, operating room assignments, emergency room consultations, and daily rounds, which solidifies their leadership abilities. The program encourages a balance of ambulatory surgical, neonatal, and complex operative cases, ensuring fellows emerge with a well-rounded skill set.

Conferences and Didactic Learning

To support ongoing education, the program incorporates a variety of structured didactic sessions and conferences. Weekly pediatric surgery conferences cover recent cases, with fellows having the responsibility to organize presentations with participation from faculty, residents, and medical students. Notable conferences include:

• Clinical Sciences/SCORE Conference: A weekly gathering focusing on core competencies essential for residents.
• Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) Conference: A bi-weekly review of surgical management and case statistics.
• Journal Club: Monthly discussions on recent literature pertinent to surgical practices.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Conference: A chance for fellows to work alongside specialists to refine treatment strategies.
• GI/Surgery Conference: Focused on collaboration between gastroenterology and surgical services.

Application Process

Applications for the Pediatric Surgery Fellowship must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Criteria for selection include USMLE board scores, letters of recommendation, ABSITE scores, research output, and personal interviews, with candidates chosen based on their overall profile and fit for the program. The application deadline is December 1, and candidates are encouraged to have all documents completed before this date.

In addition to standard qualifications, the program is open to DO and IMG candidates, making it a friendly choice for a diverse array of applicants. Visa sponsorship, including J-1 and H-1B visa types, may be available to international candidates, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusivity.

Supervision and Consistency in Care

During training, fellows experience a structured increase in independence across clinical decision-making, particularly in their second year, where they assume greater responsibility in managing surgical cases. Supervision from faculty remains constant, ensuring fellows receive thorough guidance throughout their professional development.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship also emphasizes collaborative clinical research, allowing fellows to engage in pertinent projects during their training, further enhancing their academic and practical experience.