Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship

The Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship offers ACGME accredited fellowship training leading to board certification in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. The center of fellowship activities is the 26-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) which is housed in The Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a facility containing approximately 200 pediatric beds. A variety of Medical, Surgical, and Trauma patients are treated at this facility. The PICU at Hopkins has a long and proud history of providing exceptional care to critically ill children. Prior certification in general pediatrics is a requirement for entry into the three year Pediatric Critical Care fellowship. The goal of the fellowship is to provide the skills necessary to become leaders in academic critical care. Fifteen clinical service months are required in the three year fellowship. The remainder of the fellows’ time is spent in research. An extensive research arena is available in which to pursue laboratory investigations, clinical and basic research, within the division, department and medical center.

The Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at Johns Hopkins currently is as follows:

A 36-month fellowship training program which includes:

1 month anesthesia training
14-15 months of clinical pediatric critical care
18 months research experience
3 months vacation

During the 2nd and 3rd year, fellows are expected run morning works rounds and actively teach junior residents and students.

Total PICU clinical time: 65 weeks

The PICU experience at Johns Hopkins Hospital provides for a broad multidisciplinary exposure to the many facets of pediatric critical care medicine – infants, children and adolescents. The PICU is a 26-bed unit: 1/3 admissions are cardiac surgery patients, 1/3 admissions are medical patients and 1/3 admissions are other sub-specialty surgical patients. The Johns Hopkins Children’s Medical and Surgical Center is the pediatric trauma and transplant center (heart, liver, kidney) in our region. The PICU fellowship includes clinical training in the implementation and use of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and helicopter and ambulance pediatric transport.

Combined Anesthesiology Residency
with Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship

A two year fellowship is available from an American Board of Pediatrics approved residency for individuals who are also board eligible in Anesthesiology. The Combined Anesthesiology Residency with Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Johns Hopkins currently is as follows:

Year 1    Anesthesiology residency year 1
Year 2    Anesthesiology residency year 2
Year 3    Anesthesiology residency – 5 months anesthesia training,
             doing pediatric cases exclusively; 7 months elective: 4 months
             research, 3 months Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Year 4    PICU fellowship: 20 weeks PICU, remainder research
Year 5    PICU fellowship: 20 weeks PICU, remainder research

During the 4th and 5th year, combined pediatric anesthesia/critical care fellows participate in the operative management of pediatric anesthesia cases. They must log 100 pediatric OR cases to qualify for the Pediatric Anesthesia fellowship component of this training.

Total PICU clinical time: 52 weeks

The Goals and Objectives of both Training Programs (Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Anesthesiology and Critical Care) are identical and are as follows:

1) General: To provide broadly based training in pediatric critical care medicine that develops academic leaders in pediatric critical care and establishes eligibility to sit for the pediatric critical care subspecialty certification examination offered by the American Board of Pediatrics.

2) Clinical: To expose fellows to the latest developments and insure proficiency in all areas of critical care including: acute neurologic monitoring and treatment techniques, airway establishment and ventilation strategies, cardiovascular monitoring and stabilization, post operative and post traumatic management, toxicologic, hematologic, metabolic, renal, and endocrinologic emergencies, immunologic and infectious disease considerations, gastrointestinal and nutritional issues, and pharmacodynamics / pharmacokinetics in the critically ill.

3) Research: To provide fellows with appropriate research mentors, projects, and facilities, and with knowledge of experimental design, application, and statistical analysis that will lead to independent research and publication.

4) Teaching: To prepare the fellows to be effective educators at many levels (with colleagues, students, staff, parents and patients), in varied settings (bedside, classroom, conference, and lecture), and with multiple media (oral, written, and visual presentations).

Online applications are available year round. Interviews for the following academic year are between April and September. We proudly participate in the NRMP.

The application process:

All appplicants must have completed a pediatric residency from an American Board of Pediatrics(ABP) approved training program or be ABP certified in pediatrics.

The following are minimum requirements for consideration for the fellowship interview:

1. Transcript of medical school record, certified by the medical school
2. Medical School Dean's letter of recommendation
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Completed application (either electronic or regular mail)
5. Visa status information if pertinent. All J and H visa holders must complete a Hopkins post doctoral affairs reciprocity review.
6. ECFMG certification if pertinent.

Personal Interview:

Applications will be reviewed only after receipt of all required materials. The Director of the Fellowship initiates interview requests, and not all applicants are granted interviews. An on-site interview is required before consideration for acceptance.

Download and fill out the application then mail to:
Z. Leah Harris, M.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program
Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 904
Baltimore, MD 21287-4904
Phone: 410-955-2393 Fax: 410-502-5312

E-mail: zharris1@jhmi.edu