Washington University/B-JH/SLCH Consortium Program

The Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine offers a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship training program. The primary objective of this fellowship is to equip trainees with the requisite knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for a successful career in child and adolescent psychiatry, whether in clinical practice or research settings.

The program is designed to nurture the development of fellows through a progressive series of clinical, educational, and research experiences. Diverse clinical exposure ensures fellows acquire robust diagnostic and treatment skills concerning a wide array of mental disorders affecting children and adolescents, which are approached through a developmental lens that considers individual, familial, and societal contexts.

Fellows gain invaluable insights and skills via various innovative clinical settings, including:

• A high-acuity inpatient psychiatric care facility dedicated to serving children and adolescents in Missouri.
• A psychotherapy clinic which utilizes real-time video-based monitoring for supervision and feedback.
• An infant-preschool clinic providing significant outpatient experiences in both academic and community mental health contexts.
• A consult rotation within a top-tier children’s hospital, adding to the breadth of exposure.
• A rotation specifically centered on substance use disorders.
• Engagement in a distinctive two-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) curriculum that addresses systemic racism and child development within its framework.
• Participation in leadership seminars and an array of innovative clinical programs designed to enhance the learning experience.

The fellowship emphasizes continuity of care, encouraging fellows to actively participate in community work with children. The incorporation of telepsychiatry and school-based behavior modification for children with developmental disabilities are unique elements of this program that prepare fellows for various career avenues.

Curriculum and Rotations

The program integrates a comprehensive curriculum involving didactics that are innovative and centered on learner engagement. Fellows are also afforded the opportunity to engage in research training aimed at fostering the development of the next generation of clinician-scientists in child psychiatry. Research endeavors can be tailored to align with individual fellow interests and career aspirations.

Training Sites

The training takes place across several sites that are representative of comprehensive child and adolescent mental health services. Graduate fellows interact with a collaborative team that may include specialists from various disciplines such as child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, and developmental pediatrics, integrating knowledge from each of these areas into practice. Furthermore, fellows will gain experience through partnering with community services to implement treatment plans for children in need.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is known to be highly competitive, yet it maintains a welcoming stance towards graduates from both DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and IMG (International Medical Graduate) backgrounds. Special application provisions include a review of graduation year, and a flexibility regarding the number of failed STEP exams—though it is advisable for applicants to present competitive scores.

Visa Support

The fellowship provides necessary sponsorship for visa types, helping facilitate the application process for international medical graduates who are accepted into the program. Specific details on visa types that can be sponsored are provided during the application process.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is regarded as an essential component of the fellowship experience. Mechanisms are in place to support fellows in achieving a sustainable balance between their demanding training and personal well-being.

Fellowship Community and Opportunities

Current fellows in the program report a collaborative and supportive environment encouraging personal and professional growth. An active Medical Student Interest Group exists, encouraging early engagement in child and adolescent psychiatry. With a historic commitment to training top-tier psychiatrists, graduates of the program have secured roles in private practice, community mental health organizations, academic institutions, and independent research.