The realm of pediatric surgical critical care demands specialized expertise to navigate the complexities of critically ill young patients. For surgeons seeking to master this challenging yet rewarding field, a dedicated fellowship program is essential. The Pediatric Surgical Critical Care fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, affiliated with The Ohio State University (OSU), offers an exceptional one-year, ACGME-accredited program designed to cultivate leaders in this vital subspecialty. This program equips surgeons with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in managing the most vulnerable patient population, from premature neonates to adolescents and young adults.
This rigorous fellowship focuses on three core competencies: expert management of complex medical and surgical issues in critically ill pediatric surgical patients, effective supervision of a critical care unit, and the ability to conduct impactful scholarly activities. Fellows gain comprehensive experience in managing a wide spectrum of critical conditions, including trauma, thermal injuries, and patients requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Furthermore, the program provides extensive exposure to both pre- and post-operative care for critically-ill surgical patients, ensuring a holistic understanding of the patient journey.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides an unparalleled clinical environment for this specialized training. The sheer volume of surgical cases, exceeding 3,600 general surgery operations annually, guarantees fellows are exposed to a diverse and challenging caseload. Fellows actively participate in the care of the majority of the approximately 325 surgical and trauma patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) each year. This robust clinical experience is further enhanced by involvement with surgical patients within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), broadening their expertise across the pediatric age spectrum.
The program attracts highly motivated general surgery residents, typically at the PGY3 level and above, who are committed to pursuing careers in pediatric surgery and seeking advanced training in critical care. The curriculum is meticulously designed to foster advanced competency in managing critically ill surgical patients at both Nationwide Children’s and OSU. Upon completion, fellows are prepared to function independently as board-certified subspecialists, equipped with advanced training in all facets of surgical critical care and proficient in clinical research methodologies relevant to the critical care setting.
Several factors distinguish the Nationwide Children’s program as a premier choice for aspiring pediatric surgical critical care specialists. Its dedicated pediatric focus ensures specialized training tailored to the unique needs of young patients. The high clinical volume provides unmatched hands-on experience, while the diverse faculty, representing varied backgrounds and expertise, offers multifaceted mentorship and learning opportunities. The hospital’s emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration within its intensive care units further enriches the learning environment. With 16 surgical faculty members, fellows have ample opportunities to engage in IRB-approved research projects, fostering scholarly growth through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national conferences. The program’s distinction is further solidified by the dual accreditations held by Nationwide Children’s as both an American College of Surgeons Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and an American Burn Association Pediatric Burn Center, a rare achievement among pediatric institutions.
Graduates of the Pediatric Surgical Critical Care fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital emerge as highly competent and compassionate specialists. They possess not only the knowledge and skills to excel in this demanding field but also a lifelong enthusiasm for continuous learning, teaching, and advancing the practice of pediatric surgical critical care. This program provides a strong foundation for a successful and impactful career dedicated to improving the lives of critically ill children.
