Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

The overall goal of the advanced residency training in Pediatric Surgical Critical Care at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is to provide advanced proficiency in the care and management of critically ill surgical patients ranging in age from extreme prematurity through adulthood, with emphasis on the pediatric surgical critical care patient.

At the conclusion of the training program, the Surgical Critical Care Fellow (SCCF) will be qualified for certification in Surgical Critical Care by the American Board of Surgery, and able to assume responsibility for the critical care management of the surgical patient.

Goals and Objectives

During the training program, the SCCF will demonstrate mastery of the six competencies set forth by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and be afforded increased responsibility and independence according to his/her skill. It is essential that the SCCF:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology of critically ill or injured premature infants, neonates, toddlers, school aged children, and adolescents, and adults with emphasis on the unique features of each age group.
2. Participate in the emergency evaluation of infants and children with surgical disease and trauma. Participation in trauma and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required. The fellow must achieve Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, and American College of Surgeon’s Advance Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification, and are encouraged to pursue the additional qualifications to become an ATLS instructor.
3. Define the principles of care of the critically ill surgical patient.
4. Develop the technical skills required to assist with the management of the critically ill surgical patient, including, but not limited to, the insertion of invasive monitoring devices, endotracheal or tracheostomy tube intubation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation, thoracostomy tube insertion, gastrostomy tube insertion, and hemodialysis or peritoneal catheter insertion.
5. Apply the multi-disciplinary nature of today’s medical environment and effectively work with all members of the patient care team to achieve the best outcome for the patient.
6. Be an active participant in the educational process, both during the residency and beyond. SCCFs are to consult the literature and perform self-study during their training, and participate in scholarly activities.

Scholarly Activity

It is the expectation that the SCCF will participate in scholarly activities during their fellowship. The SCCF is encouraged to participate in various research activities in the Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery at Children’s Hospital. Research methodology and statistics are covered in journal clubs and didactic lectures, as well as during direct involvement in research activities. While the one-year time frame of the training program does not allow for a formal research rotation, provisions can be made to provide additional research training should the SCCF desire.

Resources are provided for the SCCF to attend one national academic meeting related to pediatric surgical critical care during the training period. Additional opportunities and resources are available for the SCCF to present the results of their research during the Fellowship program.

Application and Selection Process

Pediatric Surgical Critical Care has a listing on the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) website, AMA/FRIEDA, and the Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society (SCCPDS) website.

Interested applicants contact our office regarding availability of fellowship positions and we request an updated CV and three letters of recommendation. We typically interview applicants from mid-May to early June. Once the faculty agrees on a candidate, typically in early June, the applicant is extended an offer.