Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Program

The Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is a two-year program designed to provide advanced training in surgical critical care, trauma surgery, and emergency general surgery. This fellowship is one of a few programs in the United States accredited by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and accepts three fellows each year.

The main objective of the program is to cultivate skilled clinicians with extensive expertise in various areas including trauma, critical care, and emergency surgery. The program aims to prepare fellows for leadership roles in both academic and community settings within the fields of surgical critical care (SCC) and acute care surgery (ACS) 1.

Program Overview

The fellowship structure consists of two years: the first year focuses solely on surgical critical care, while the second year emphasizes acute care surgery. During the first year, fellows gain comprehensive experience within busy trauma and surgical intensive care units, managing a wide range of critical illness and injury cases 1.

In the second year, fellows participate in trauma surgery and emergency general surgery with an opportunity to undertake six months of elective rotations in specialized areas such as burn surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, thoracic surgery, and hepatobiliary surgery 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Acute Care Surgery Fellowship blends academic rigor with practical training. In the first year, fellows are trained to manage critically ill and injured patients in surgical intensive care units. They are expected to achieve competency across all organ systems affected by critical illnesses, including neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematologic, metabolic, and more 3.

The second year builds upon this knowledge, where fellows focus on trauma and emergency surgery leadership, engaging directly with a Level 1 trauma center that admits around 3,000 patients annually. This intense hands-on experience aims to foster autonomy and maturity in clinical decision-making 3.

Research and Administrative Training

The program emphasizes research involvement, encouraging fellows to engage with ongoing projects and administrative tasks pertinent to the management of an ICU. This includes training in database development, evidence-based protocol implementation, and performance improvement strategies 3.

Program Benefits and Support

Fellows in the program are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes a competitive salary aligned with their residency PGY level, generous continuing medical education (CME) budget, health, dental, and vision insurance, along with long-term disability options and on-call resources 1.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The program is accessible to international medical graduates (IMGs), with support for various visas, including J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorship, ensuring eligible candidates from diverse backgrounds can apply 1. This, combined with the program's welcoming environment for DO graduates, fosters an inclusive and competitive applicant pool.

Application Requirements

Eligibility for the Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship requires prospective fellows to have completed an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency and be board eligible or certified by the American Board of Surgery. Applicants must also possess the capability to obtain a medical license in North Carolina 4.

The application process is conducted through the SCC and ACS Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS). Candidates are required to submit several documents, including USMLE/COMLEX scores, a comprehensive CV, medical school transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, one of which should come from the residency program director 4.

Living and Training Environment

The training occurs at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, a leading tertiary referral center and Level 1 trauma center in western North Carolina. The program provides a stimulating and supportive training environment, enabling fellows to provide high-quality patient care and acquire important technical skills essential for their future careers 1.