University of Pennsylvania Health System Program

The University of Pennsylvania Health System Program in Surgical Critical Care provides an extensive educational experience designed for fellows specializing in trauma, acute care surgery, and surgical critical care. The program is recognized as one of the premier training avenues in the world, affiliated with a Level 1 trauma center that handles a diverse range of complex cases, including a significant volume of penetrating trauma patients. This high-acuity environment demands excellence in both clinical performance and educational development, ensuring that fellows emerge as proficient and knowledgeable surgeons.

Program Structure

The fellowship is structured into various tracks: a one-year Surgical Critical Care track, a two-year Acute Care Surgery option, and a dedicated two-year Emergency Medicine/Surgical Critical Care track. Each pathway is meticulously designed to ensure comprehensive exposure to both clinical skills and leadership opportunities in surgical critical care, emergency general surgery, and trauma management. The program adheres to the highest educational standards, emphasizing evidence-based practices and a sharp focus on clinical outcomes.1

Curriculum and Rotations

Clinical training comprises didactic sessions, hands-on experiences, and research opportunities. Fellows engage in rotations across surgical, neuro, cardiac, and medical intensive care units (ICUs), with a strong emphasis placed on direct patient care and complex case management. The roles and responsibilities of fellows are clearly defined to minimize overlap with residents, encouraging autonomy in clinical decision-making and patient management.2

Research and Academic Opportunities

Research is integral to the fellowship experience. Fellows are actively involved in ongoing projects from the onset of their training, with dedicated research mentors assigned to guide them. This mentorship facilitates the achievement of research milestones, leading to project completion by the end of the fellowship. Didactic sessions in research methodology further prepare fellows to engage in basic science and clinical research, enhancing their academic profiles.3

Didactic Programs

The fellowship incorporates a robust didactic component, featuring various conferences and educational sessions such as trauma case reviews, morbidity and mortality discussions, and grand rounds.4 Specialized sessions address critical care concepts and practical skills, contributing to a well-rounded educational framework encompassing both the art and science of critical care medicine.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The selection process for this fellowship is highly competitive, requiring applicants to demonstrate exceptional clinical skills and academic performance. Candidates must apply through the Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS). Specific application requirements include a complete residency in surgery and appropriate documentation of performance, including performance on relevant examinations. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experiences and goals during interviews, which are conducted virtually, allowing for direct engagement with faculty and current fellows.5

Visa Sponsorship and Support

The fellowship program provides visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. The visa types supported include J-1 and H-1B visas, ensuring that international fellows can participate fully in the training offered.

Career Outcomes

Alumni of the program are well-prepared for a diverse range of career paths, often taking up leadership roles in academic medicine, trauma centers, or military surgical settings. The program proudly boasts a network of successful graduates who provide mentoring and collaboration opportunities for current fellows, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering career advancement in the field of surgical critical care.6

Integration into the Trauma Network

The Penn Medicine Trauma Network facilitates collaborations and enhances the integration of trauma systems across various hospitals, ensuring that fellows gain exposure to best practices in trauma care and management.7 This comprehensive organizational framework enables fellows to engage in rich learning experiences that transcend hospital settings, preparing them for the demands of modern surgical practice.