Wright State University Program

Wright State University Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program

The Wright State University Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship programs are based within the Department of Surgery at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. This comprehensive training program is designed to develop advanced proficiency in managing critically ill trauma and emergency surgical patients, ensuring a rich educational experience through collaborative relationships with various medical departments and clinical service lines at Miami Valley Hospital (MVH).

Program Structure

The fellowship consists of two distinct training tracks: the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship and the Acute Care Surgery Fellowship. Each track offers different immersive experiences and core rotations essential for becoming adept in surgical critical care management.

Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), this track accepts 2 fellows annually. The curriculum focuses on providing the fellows with the necessary tools to manage surgical critical illness, particularly within the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at MVH, a validated Level 1 ACS Trauma Center that handles over 3,500 trauma activations per year. Core rotations include services in Surgical Oncology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics. Elective options encompass areas such as Nephrology, Pediatric ICU, and Infectious Diseases.

Acute Care Surgery Fellowship

Also limited to 2 positions, the Acute Care Surgery Fellowship is a second-year program for graduates of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. This track builds upon the SCC year to fine-tune skills within trauma and emergency general surgery settings. Rotations include Trauma/Emergency General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and similar fields as in the first year.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum of the fellowship is meticulously structured to enhance learning through various methods. It includes a boot camp for orientation, critical care ultrasound courses, and weekly conferences that cover critical care surgery and trauma performance improvement. Additionally, fellows are expected to participate actively in teaching critical care ultrasound techniques to surgical residents.

Clinical Responsibilities

Fellows in the Surgical Critical Care year take 12-hour calls on Fridays and/or 24-hour calls on Saturdays, which is supplemented by opportunities for full participation in trauma and emergency surgeries. During the second year, fellows can assume additional night call duties during weekdays, dictated by AAST regulations.

Research Opportunities

Research is highly encouraged within the program, with support from dedicated faculty members experienced in basic science and clinical research. Fellows will have access to facilities that allow them to engage ambitively in scholarly activities and enhance their expertise through research projects.

Facilities and Training Sites

Miami Valley Hospital, an 848-bed facility and a member of the Premier Health Partners network, serves as the primary training site for the fellowship program. It is a 20-year ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center and the busiest emergency department in Ohio, reinforcing the learning environments for the fellows.

Visa Support

The fellowship program offers visa support to international medical graduates during the application process. The program typically sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, which can be critical for eligible international applicants wishing to further their education and training in the United States.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is known for being highly competitive, particularly for those coming from U.S. medical schools. While it welcomes applicants from DO and IMG backgrounds, it maintains specific eligibility standards, such as completion of General Surgery Residency and a focus on advanced clinical skills. Specific details regarding maximum failed STEP examinations or year of graduation criteria may be stipulated and should be confirmed during application preparation.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, annual vacation days, educational leave, and a professional development allowance. Additionally, fellows receive free parking, meals while on duty, gym facilities on-site, and malpractice insurance coverage, along with a competitive annual salary.