Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program

Fellows in the Pediatric Adolescent Medicine Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have the opportunity to engage deeply in clinical experiences that are designed to prepare them for independent practice in adolescent medicine. The program emphasizes comprehensive training through a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. The Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Health is composed of a dedicated team of five full-time adolescent medicine faculty members, nurses, administrative staff, and nutrition specialists who together provide quality care for adolescent and young adult patients within a supportive and educational environment.

The fellowship consists of three years of training, which is structured to include clinical practice, leadership development, and scholarly research, allowing for a well-rounded educational experience. The first year primarily focuses on obtaining a solid foundation in clinical skills, followed by two years dedicated to research and academic development. Fellows are provided in-depth exposure to a variety of patient care situations, including primary care services, inpatient care, consultations for chronic illnesses, and specialized treatment for eating disorders among adolescents.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is developed in line with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards and incorporates diverse clinical settings. During the first year, fellows are immersed in clinical practice at the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Clinic, where they are responsible for seeing their own patients with faculty supervision. As the years progress, the focus shifts toward research and academic contributions, with structured opportunities for presentation at national conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals 1.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows will gain experience in multiple clinical environments, including:

• Outpatient primary care at the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Clinic, dramatically impacting over 8,000 clinical visits annually.
• Inpatient services at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, providing acute care and management for adolescents with various medical and psychosocial needs.
• Interdisciplinary outpatient programs focusing on specific populations, including those with eating disorders and HIV.

This variety ensures that fellows become adept in managing complex adolescent health issues and developing effective treatment plans.

Research Opportunities

Research is a cornerstone of the fellowship, with a strong support system in place to foster scholarly activity. Each fellow is encouraged to collaborate with mentors to identify research interests early in their training. They will present their research at local conferences during their training and are expected to publish findings in reputable journals by the end of their fellowship. Mentorship is available at all stages, with a particular emphasis on meeting with faculty to track research progress and academic development 2.

Educational Conferences

The program includes a robust schedule of educational conferences to enhance learning. These comprise various core lectures, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality conferences, and ongoing discussions aimed at continuous professional development. Fellows are also expected to engage in teaching residents and medical students through supervised practice 3.

Application Requirements

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have completed at least three years of residency training in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine. The application process entails submitting an ERAS application, letters of reference (inclusive of recommendations from program directors or department chairs), a personal statement, and a comprehensive CV. The program highly values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of varied backgrounds who are committed to advancing adolescent medicine 4.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship options for qualified international medical graduates, offering support to ensure that these candidates can fulfill residency requirements if selected.

Competitiveness of the Program

The fellowship at Vanderbilt is considered competitive, attracting candidates from diverse medical backgrounds, including but not limited to U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program seeks dedicated fellows who are not only interested in clinical excellence but also in contributing to academic research and community health initiatives.