Pediatric surgery is a subspecialty in the field of surgery that focuses on managing diseases, abnormalities, and trauma in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric surgery is complex, requiring 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 typically 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 US?
There are 57 pediatric surgery fellowships in the US. However, all US doctors can apply for US and Canadian pediatric surgery fellowships.
List of 57 pediatric surgery fellowships in the US and Canada
Below is a presented list of pediatric surgery fellowships in the US/Canada:
- Alberta Children’s Hospital/University of Calgary
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital (the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)
- Baylor College of Medicine
- BC Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
- Brown University
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- Children’s National Hospital
- Children’s Hospital, University of Oklahoma
- CHU Sainte-Justine Pediatric Surgery Fellowship (Université de Montréal)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
- Cohen Children’s Medical Center- Northwell Health
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Emory University/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Johns Hopkins University
- Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
- Mayo Clinic Arizona/Phoenix Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – Mayo Clinic Arizona/Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- McMaster Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – McMaster Children’s Hospital
- Medical College of Wisconsin and Affiliated Hospitals
- Montreal Children’s Hospital (McGill University)
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- NewYork-Presbyterian Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program(Columbia Campus) – NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia
- Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Program – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
- Oregon Health and Science University
- Rady/UCSD – The University of California, San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital
- Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health/Indiana University School of Medicine
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/DuPont Hospital for Children
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
- Stanford University Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship – Stanford University
- University at Buffalo
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham/Children’s of Alabama
- University of California San Francisco Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
- University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital
- University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Surgery Fellowship – University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital Colorado
- University of Connecticut Pediatric Surgery Fellowship At Connecticut Children’s
- University of Florida
- University of Iowa/ Stead Family Children’s Hospital
- University of Louisville
- The University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital
- University of Mississippi Medical Center – Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program
- The University of Missouri – Kansas City/Children’s Mercy Kansas City
- University of Nebraska Medical Center Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- University of Texas Medical Branch / Driscoll Children’s Hospitals Program
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Department of Surgery
- The University of Toronto/The Hospital for Sick Children
- University of Utah/Primary Children’s Hospital
- University of Washington Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center/Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital – Pediatric Surgery
- Washington University School of Medicine/St. Louis Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
- Yale University
Pediatric surgery fellowships Application Process
United States
The application process for pediatric surgery fellowships in the U.S. is facilitated through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), usually around a year before the fellowship’s start date.
The 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. Following 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 proof 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.
In our articles, you can learn about Fellowship Doctor Salary and see Pediatric Surgery Fellowships List. I gave answer on 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 with the opportunity to impact children’s lives significantly.
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.
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