University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program

The Adolescent Medicine Fellowship program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is dedicated to cultivating future leaders in adolescent healthcare. The program aims to enhance the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults through comprehensive clinical practice, advanced research, advocacy, and professional mentorship.

Program Mission and Aims

The fellowship's mission is focused on developing and guiding future adolescent medicine physicians. The program’s aims include fostering clinical excellence, promoting research and advocacy for critical adolescent health issues, and building collaborative relationships to advance adolescent medicine initiatives. Mentorship is a pivotal component of the program, ensuring that fellows develop the skills necessary to contribute positively to the healthcare landscape for adolescents. In each fellowship year, the program emphasizes patient care responsibilities, scholarly activities, and quality improvement projects relevant to adolescent health 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship spans three years, where each fellow is expected to complete a blend of clinical and research activities. The structure allocates 18 months to clinical exposure and 18 months to research, ensuring a balanced residency experience 1. The rotations in the program are meticulously planned to foster development in practicing clinical skills related to mental health, reproductive health, and adolescent medicine consultations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Clinical experiences involve subspecialty ambulatory services that address various aspects of adolescent health.

Research and Scholarship

Fellows are expected to dedicate at least 12 months exclusively to research and scholarly activity. Each fellow will form a scholarship oversight committee, consisting of mentors with relevant expertise to support their project 1. The program encourages participation in the Fellows Academic Circle of Enrichment, where directors provide training in scholarship skills.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the fellowship are submitted electronically through the American Medical Colleges' Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The program anticipates offering one position every year by 2025, with a current focus on ensuring candidates have completed residency training in Pediatrics. Candidates with backgrounds in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine may discuss a tailored 2-year program based on their respective board requirements 2. Importantly, the program only accepts U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or J-1 ECFMG sponsored visas; it does not sponsor H-1B visas.

Application Review Process

The program employs a holistic review process to evaluate applicants. This approach aims to foster diversity within the candidate pool and considers factors beyond standardized test scores. The fellowship does not enforce a cutoff for examination scores, thereby welcoming well-rounded candidates from various backgrounds 2.

Training Goals and Competencies

The fellowship seeks to develop competency in several areas including patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. This includes providing developmentally appropriate, patient-centered care, mastering communication skills, and leading interdisciplinary initiatives. The overarching goal is to empower fellows to emerge as leaders in the field of adolescent medicine, equipped to navigate the complexities of patient care and healthcare systems 5.

Visa Support

The Adolescent Medicine Fellowship program supports J-1 visas, which allows eligible international medical graduates to participate in the fellowship. This provides non-U.S. citizens the opportunity to gain specialized training, reinforcing the program's commitment to diversity and inclusion within its ranks.

Competitiveness and Selection Criteria

The program is considered competitive, and the application review process is rigorous. The fellows' selection emphasizes a blend of clinical experience, academic performance, and personal attributes that contribute to a holistic learning environment. By promoting a diverse group of fellows, the program aims to enhance the educational experience for all participants 2.

Current and Former Fellows

The fellowship continually evolves, with recent fellows contributing significantly to the field. Current fellows engage in enriching clinical and research experiences, preparing them for future leadership positions in adolescent health 3. Former fellows have pursued successful careers in academia and clinical practice, underscoring the program's effectiveness in preparing its graduates.