Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowships

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-approved training program accredited by the American Board of Surgery. This competitive program offers four positions per year for physicians who have completed at least three years of training in an ACGME-approved general surgery, neurosurgery, urology, or obstetrics/gynecology residency program.

Surgical Critical Care Fellows will gain in-depth clinical knowledge and technical skills necessary to care for critically ill patients. Areas of focus include general trauma, neurotrauma, abdominal organ transplantation, burn care and neurovascular and cardiothoracic critical care. Fellows also participate in three months of operative experiences on the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery Service, which has more than 4,000 admissions each year. Trainees will be part of our pioneering unique Multidisciplinary Critical Care Training Program, in which physicians from the specialties of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery receive advanced clinical training in an integrated environment. This innovative approach enables an expansive clinical experience supported by a collaborative learning environment. Our multidisciplinary training program employs a mix of hands-on clinical experience, interactive workshops, medical simulation, asynchronous and didactic education. 

The Acute Care Surgery Fellowship offers two positions for a further one year of training under the auspices of the Department of Surgery. This program is accredited by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Applicants for the combined Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Surgery fellowship must have completed a General Surgery residency. The Acute Care Surgery fellows are appointed as UPMC Clinical Instructors and take on a leadership role on the Acute Care Surgery Service. Fellows also enjoy one of the most academically productive research organizations in the nation; both fellowship programs provide opportunities for training in research, education, and health care administration.

Mission Statement

The Surgical Critical Care fellowship at UPMC is committed to providing superior clinical and academic training that delivers the highest quality care to critically ill and injured patients across the UPMC Health System, and that develops tomorrow’s leaders in Critical Care Medicine. Our multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to research, education, patient safety and quality is integral to this training and enhances the program’s ability to improve and innovate in each of these areas. We seek to select and retain a diverse group of highly qualified candidates and foster their academic career advancement through broad clinical experience, scholarship, leadership opportunities, structured professional development, and robust mentorship.

Applications, Interviews and Match

APPLICATION

These two fellowships participate in the NRMP match. Applications for the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship and the Acute Care Surgery Fellowship programs must be submitted through the SAFAS website where there are important application requirements and deadlines.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews typically occur from May through August. Applicants will be contacted by our Office of Education to schedule an interview date.

 

AFTER ACCEPTANCE

All trainees must obtain a graduate medical training license. We will contact successful candidates shortly after the match to begin this process.

Clinical Experience / Rotation Schedule

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

UPMC has multiple subspecialty ICUs that provide care to a high volume of patients with diverse pathophysiology of critical illness. Trainees obtain hands-on clinical experience and advanced instruction in:

  • Management of patients with traumatic injury, post-surgical critical illness, acute neurological conditions, shock, sepsis, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, multisystem organ failure and other critical illness syndromes.
  • Mechanical ventilation, extra-corporeal life support, intracranial neurological monitoring, and point-of-care ultrasound.
  • ICU procedures including endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, central venous catheterization, percutaneous tracheostomy, and ECMO cannulation.
  • Communication and team leadership skills, including patient and family interactions, end-of-life care, and collaborative team management.

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

YEAR 1

The year is divided into 13, four-week blocks. Trainees receive nine months of critical care training with a surgical focus, and rotations in other specialty ICUs, elective and scholarly pursuits. A typical schedule includes:

YEAR 2

Fellows going onto our Acute Care Surgery Fellowship take a leadership role on our acute care surgery service. Fellows also have the opportunity to continue their academic development and expand their leadership skills. The year is divided into 13, four-week blocks. A typical schedule includes:

  • Trauma/Acute Care Surgery Service - 6 blocks
  • Hepato-biliary Surgery - 1 block
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery - 1 block
  • Vascular Surgery - 1 block
  • Electives - 2 blocks

TRAINING HOSPITALS

  • UPMC Presbyterian: Surgical Trauma ICU, Neurotrauma ICU, Neurovascular ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU
  • UPMC Montefiore: Transplant ICU
  • UPMC Mercy: Medical Surgical ICU, Medical-Neuro ICU
  • UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
  • Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System
Research, Scholarly Activities, & Educational Highlights

RESEARCH and OTHER SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

The University of Pittsburgh boasts one of the most academically productive research programs in the nation, and the Department of Surgery faculty is made up of leaders that are advancing the specialty. Opportunities for fellows to participate in research activities, scholarly projects, or advanced training in clinical leadership or education are extensive and reflect the breadth and diversity of the trauma surgical research portfolio. These opportunities lay the foundation for future academic career development. The program assists fellows in identifying appropriate mentorship teams from Surgery faculty, other University of Pittsburgh departments, or external institutions as needed in order to achieve their goals.

UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

  • Hands-on simulation workshops including difficult airway management, central venous catheterization, chest tube placement, neurological device management, mechanical circulatory support, point-of-care ultrasound, and more.
  • Weekly interactive lectures in which trainees learn from our own renowned faculty, complemented by an online learning management system to help with asynchronous learning.
  • Weekly department-wide educational conferences including Grand Rounds featuring national and international experts in Critical Care, as well as fellow led Journal Club presentations and Morbidity & Mortality conferences.
  • A three-day Critical Care Communication Course providing state-of-the-art training in end-of-life discussions with family members.
  • Critical Care Leadership and Professionalism Course – Essential faculty development for fellows to facilitate the transition from fellowship to attending. The course features job search and negotiation skills, research and teaching skills, understanding business and leadership in healthcare, and additional topics in professional advancement and personal well-being.
  • Annual Mitchell P. Fink Scholar Day for fellows to present their QI, education, and research projects.
Contact

For inquiries about the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship program, please contact Susan Fancsali, GME Senior Department Manager.

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