Pediatric surgery is a subspecialty in surgery that focuses on managing diseases, abnormalities, and trauma in infants, children, and adolescents. It is complex and requires specific training beyond the scope of general surgery. This article explores pediatric surgery fellowships in the United States and Canada, focusing on their structure, application process, and career prospects.
Structure of Pediatric Surgery Fellowships
United States
In the U.S., a pediatric surgery fellowship typically lasts two years. The fellowship is completed after a residency in general surgery, which usually takes five years. During the fellowship, fellows gain broad exposure to various aspects of pediatric surgery, including neonatal surgery, oncology, trauma, and minimally invasive surgery.
Fellows work in the clinical setting, manage patient care, perform surgeries, and participate in various teaching and research activities. The American Board of Surgery oversees and certifies pediatric surgery fellowships.
Canada
In Canada, a pediatric surgery fellowship is also completed after a general surgery residency and usually lasts two years, though some programs may last three years. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada oversees these programs.
Canadian fellowships also provide broad exposure to various aspects of pediatric surgery, with an additional focus on research. Many programs also offer opportunities to further subspecialize in areas such as pediatric cardiac surgery or pediatric neurosurgery.
Learn more: Do You Get Paid During Fellowship?
How many pediatric surgery fellowships are there in the U.S.?
There are 57 pediatric surgery fellowships in the U.S. However, all U.S. doctors can apply for U.S. and Canadian pediatric surgery fellowships.
List of 57 pediatric surgery fellowships in the U.S. and Canada
Below is a presented list of pediatric surgery fellowships in the U.S./Canada:
- Alberta Children’s Hospital/UniverChildren’slgary
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of ChiChildren’ssas Children’s Hospital (the UChildren’sof Arkansas for Medical Sciences)
- Baylor College of Medicine
- BC Children’s Hospital PediatChildren’sy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Boston Children’s Hospital Children’s Fellowship
- Brown University
- Children’s Hospital Los Children’s Hospital of Children’s Hospital of PhiChildren’sPediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- Children’s National HospitChildren’sn’s Hospital, UniveChildren’sklahoma
- CHU Sainte-Justine Pediatric Surgery Fellowship (Université de Montréal)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Children’s Fellowship
- Cohen Children’s Medical Center-Children’s Health
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Emory University/Children’s Healthcare of Children Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Johns Children’siversity
- Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital PediatChildren’sy Fellowship – University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
- Mayo CChildren’sona/Phoenix Children’s Hospital PediatChildren’sy Fellowship – Mayo Clinic Arizona/Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- Children’s Hospital Children Fellowship – McMaster Children’s Hospital
- MedicaChildren’sof Wisconsin and Affiliated Hospitals
- Montreal Children’s Hospital (McGilChildren’sty)
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital PediatChildren’sy Fellowship – Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- NewYorChildren’srian Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program(Columbia Campus) – NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia
- Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Children Program – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
- OregonChildren’sd Science University
- Rady/UCSD – The University of California, San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital
- Riley Children’sor Children at I.U. Health/Indiana University School of Medicine
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/DuPont Hospital for Children
- St. Christopher’s Hospital forChristopher’snford University Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship – Stanford University
- University at Buffalo
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham/Children’s of Alabama
- UnivChildren’sCalifornia San Francisco Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
- UniveChildren’shicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital
- UniverChildren’slorado/Children’s Hospital ColoraChildren’sic Surgery Fellowship – University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital ColoraChildren’sity of Connecticut Pediatric Surgery Fellowship At Connecticut Children’s
- University of FChildren’sversity of Iowa/ Stead Family Children’s Hospital
- UniverChildren’suisville
- The University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital
- UniverChildren’sssissippi Medical Center – Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program
- The University of Missouri – Kansas City/Children’s Mercy Kansas CiChildren’sity of Nebraska Medical Center Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- University of Texas Medical Branch / Driscoll Children’s Hospitals ProgrChildren’sity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Department of Surgery
- The University of Toronto/The Hospital for Sick Children
- University of Utah/Primary Children’s Hospital
- UniverChildren’sshington Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of PitChildren’snderbilt University Medical Center/Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital – PediChildren’sery
- Washington University School of Medicine/St. Louis Children’s Hospital PediatChildren’sy Fellowship
- Yale University
Pediatric Surgery Fellowships Application Process
United States
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) facilitates the application process for pediatric surgery fellowships in the U.S. Applicants must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), usually around a year before the fellowship’s start date.
The fellowship application typically includes a curriculum vitae, personal statement, letters of recommendation, USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) scores, and a record of the applicant’s medical education application submission. Candidates are invited for interviews before match results are released.
Canada
In Canada, applications are sent directly to the programs with specific requirements and deadlines. The application generally includes a CV, personal statement, letters of reference, and proof of medical education. Many programs also require evidence of proficiency in English or French.
Career Prospects
A fellowship in pediatric surgery opens the door to a wide array of career opportunities. These can range from academic positions at universities and hospitals, where surgeons engage in research, teaching, and clinical practice, to private positions primarily focusing on patient care.
The demand for pediatric surgeons in the United States and Canada is high. However, the specialization requires high training and expertise, leading to a relatively small pool of qualified professionals.
You can learn about the Fellowship Doctor Salary in our articles and see the Pediatric Surgery Fellowships List. I answered Do You Get Paid During Medical School and overall Do You Get Paid During the Fellowship. Please read How Long Is Pediatric Surgery Fellowship and understand the differences between Residency vs. Fellowship.
Conclusion
In summary, pediatric surgery fellowships in the United States and Canada are intensive programs that equip surgeons with the skills and knowledge required to provide specialized surgical care for children. The application process is competitive, and the programs are rigorous. Still, the rewards are profound, leading to fulfilling careers and the opportunity to significantly impact children’s lives.
After leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2014, Daniel began a career as a finance consultant, advising companies and individuals on economic policy, labor relations, and financial management.
At Promtfinance.com, Daniel writes about personal finance topics, value estimation, budgeting strategies, retirement planning, and portfolio diversification.
Read more on Daniel Smith's biography page.
Contact Daniel: daniel@promtfinance.com