The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Surgical Critical Care Fellowship provides an exceptional one-year, ACGME-accredited learning journey. This program is meticulously designed to offer intensive clinical training within a collaborative and multidisciplinary setting, specifically focused on nurturing the next generation of leaders in pediatric surgical critical care.
Dynamic Learning Environment for Pediatric Surgical Critical Care
At the heart of the All Childrens Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Program is a mission to cultivate excellent clinicians and future leaders dedicated to managing critically ill surgical children. The fellowship’s learner-centric, multidisciplinary environment ensures a comprehensive educational experience. Fellows gain invaluable expertise caring for a diverse patient population, including neonates with congenital surgical anomalies, children suffering from trauma or surgical diseases, and patients requiring advanced support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for non-cardiac conditions.
A unique and unparalleled aspect of this pediatric surgical critical care program is the opportunity to train within the nation’s only dedicated 24/7 critical care unit for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This specialized 15-bed unit offers an immersive educational experience, allowing fellows to master critical care concepts specific to this high-risk population – knowledge that is directly transferable and broadly applicable to the care of other critically ill children. To further enhance the training experience, elective rotations are available in crucial related specialties such as anesthesia, pediatric critical care medicine, and the cardiovascular intensive care unit. These rotations broaden the fellow’s skillset and provide a more holistic approach to managing the critically ill surgical child. Adding to the program’s comprehensive nature, fellows also undertake a rotation at Tampa General Hospital, a secondary training site. This experience ensures exposure to the complexities of surgical critical care for adult patients, offering a well-rounded perspective on critical care management across different age groups.
Research and Scholarly Investigation
The All Childrens Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Program at Johns Hopkins emphasizes academic and scholarly development. Fellows are actively encouraged to engage in clinical research methodology, critical literature review, and the principles of evidence-based medicine. The program provides substantial opportunities for involvement in clinically focused research projects and quality improvement initiatives. This focus on research ensures that graduates are not only excellent clinicians but also contribute to the advancement of the field of pediatric surgical critical care.
Program Highlights and Key Requirements
The program is designed to be rigorous and rewarding, with key features including:
- Focus: Clinical Excellence and Leadership in Pediatric Surgical Critical Care. This program is dedicated to developing leaders in the field.
- Duration: A concentrated one-year program, ensuring intensive and focused training.
- Research Year Option: High-performing fellows have the opportunity for an additional dedicated research year after the initial training period, fostering deeper academic pursuits.
- Fellowship Positions: The program accepts one highly qualified fellow per academic year, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship.
- Application Timeline: Applications are open in January for the academic year commencing later in the year.
- Interview Process: Interviews are conveniently conducted via teleconference, facilitating a smooth application process for candidates nationwide and internationally.
- Stipend and Benefits: Competitive training stipend and comprehensive benefits are provided to all fellows.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have successfully completed at least three clinical years in an ACGME-accredited general surgery graduate education program, ensuring a strong foundation in surgical principles.
- Application Submission: Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae (CV), ABSITE scores, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation to the program coordinator at [email protected].
Program Leadership
The All Childrens Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Program is led by experienced and respected professionals in the field:
Henry Chang, M.D.
Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Dr. Chang serves as the Pediatric Surgeon and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program Director at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. His clinical expertise encompasses minimally invasive surgery and the treatment of colorectal conditions in children. He is also a dedicated Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Chang plays a vital role in pediatric surgical services at Tampa General and Brandon Regional Hospitals.
Keith Thatch, M.D.
Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Dr. Thatch is a specialist in pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, holding certifications in surgery, pediatric surgery, and surgical critical care. Since joining the hospital in 2018, he has been instrumental in the program’s growth. Dr. Thatch is the Associate Program Director for the pediatric surgical critical care fellowship and leads the American College of Surgeons’ Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Program at Tampa General Hospital.
View Keith Thatch’s Bio
At a Glance: Program and Hospital Statistics
- Licensed beds: 259/259
- Percentage ICU Beds: 57%
- Inpatient admissions: 6,200+ annually
- Total surgeries: 8,100+ annually
- Emergency Center visits: 46,000+ annually
- Outpatient visits: 400,000+ annually
- Dedicated CDH Beds: 15
- CDH admissions per year: 45
- Total NICU + PICU + IMCU Beds: 125 (97+22+6)
- Total NICU + PICU + IMCU admissions per year: 2,100+
Learn More or Apply to the Program
For further information about the All Childrens Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Program or to submit your application, please contact:
Program Coordinator Israel Marmolejos
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Division of Pediatric General Surgery
Phone: 727-767-8813
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 727-767-4346
