UPMC Medical Education Program

The Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is a three-year, ACGME-approved training program accredited by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Established in 1973, the program focuses on providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for critically ill children with conditions including neurological and neuromuscular diseases, respiratory and cardiac diseases, trauma, multiple organ dysfunction, organ transplantation, critical care nephrology, and sepsis.

Fellows will gain in-depth medical knowledge and technical skills necessary for treating these complex health issues. The program boasts a faculty of 20 trained pediatric critical care medicine experts, eight of whom hold dual training in various subspecialties such as adult critical care medicine, cardiology, and infectious diseases. This diverse faculty contributes to a rich learning environment.

Research and Scholarly Activities

UPMC emphasizes the development of pediatric intensivists capable of pursuing successful academic careers. The fellowship provides extensive opportunities for dedicated research training. A typical fellow will spend 17 months engaged in research and other scholarly activities. The program has a strong research backing with many faculty members holding NIH grants, enabling fellows to be part of significant research endeavors.

Clinical Experience and Rotations

The majority of training occurs at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, which is equipped with 48 critical care beds across two separate units: a 36-bed Pediatric ICU (PICU) and a 12-bed Pediatric Cardiac ICU, which serves a high number of admissions each year. Following one month of orientation, most fellows fulfill 13 months in the PICU, five in the CICU, and diverse rotations that include anesthesiology, while retaining time for research throughout the three years.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A distinctive characteristic of the Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at UPMC is the strong focus on hands-on clinical experience complemented by interactive workshops, medical simulation, and didactic education. Unique educational activities are incorporated, including high-fidelity simulation and a multidisciplinary two-day boot camp at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Fellows participate actively as transport command physicians, ensuring that they gain real-world experience in managing critically ill patients during transport. Weekly educational conferences, including Journal Club and Morbidity and Mortality conferences, further enhance the educational experience.

Application and Interview Process

The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Applications are submitted via the ERAS platform, with interviews conducted from August to November. Highly qualified candidates are invited for interviews based on their applications.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at UPMC does not accept J1 visa sponsorship but does welcome candidates with H1B visa considerations. The program is competitive, inviting applications from both US and international medical graduates.

Application Requirements

Applicants should have completed their medical training by the time of application. There are no explicit limits to the number of failed STEP exams; however, the program evaluates each candidate’s overall profile holistically, considering their academic achievements, experiences, and references.

Fellowship Structure and Philosophy

The program aims to cultivate fellows who can deliver compassionate, effective care while developing leadership, research, and team collaboration skills, preparing them for their future roles as leaders in critical care medicine.

The diverse clinical settings within Pittsburgh offer a unique advantage, immersing fellows in a richly collaborative atmosphere, conducive to both learning and professional growth.