The purpose of the Pediatric Neuroanesthesia Fellowship is to offer advanced training in Pediatric Neuroanesthesia to fully-trained anesthesiologists from abroad with an interest in advancing the practice of the specialty internationally. The typical candidate is a foreign-trained physician (Doctor of Medicine) who has successfully completed a post-graduate training program (Residency) in General Anesthesiology.
The fellowship is NOT accredited by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), as ACGME guidelines do not permit certification of a non-US residency graduate. However, Cincinnati Children’s is an ACGME-recognized sponsoring institution, and the Pediatric Neuroanesthesia Fellowship is listed as one of the ACGME Non-Standard (NST) programs and follows its guidelines. For more information: Non-Standard Training (NST) Recognition.
Most closely related US ACGME- accredited Program: Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program.
Length of the Program: 18 months.
Program Structure: Guide for reference. This structure is flexible in terms of the order of the rotations, and it is subject to changes.
Aim: The program is designed to build foreign-trained anesthesiologist into academically oriented pediatric neuroanethesiologist with expertise in the care of neonates, infants and children with complex medical problems undergoing preoperative care to the entire spectrum of pediatric patients with special emphasis on children undergoing neurosurgical procedures. The graduate will be prepared to conduct clinical research and participate in a pain management service.
Timeline:
Acclimation Period (months 0-6, provisional status):
- The trainee will hone their English language skills, further expand their technical and non-technical medical skill set, become familiar with our information technology, and develop a greater understanding of the US healthcare system, including expectations of professionalism and work ethic.
- During this period, the trainee will work one-on-one with our teaching faculty in the OR and will be supervised in the ICUs and pain service. During this period, no overnight call will be required.
- The trainee will participate in all departmental educational activities, including grand rounds, continuous quality improvement, research conference, simulation sessions, and all fellowship lectures.
- The clinical fellow will also become familiar with neuro-monitoring techniques, learning the theory and practice of intra-operative somatosensory and motor evoked potentials with assistance from the Neurology Department.
- The trainee will be formally evaluated in writing following each rotation during Stage 1 of the fellowship, and on a daily basis during their time in the OR.
- Following satisfactory performance during this phase of training, the candidate will join the formal “core” fellowship.
- This advancement may be accelerated under special circumstances; conversely, promotion to the "core" fellowship position may be delayed, or revoked, at the discretion of the program director, if performance is unsatisfactory.
- If the fellow advances from provisional to core status early, the entire training program will remain 18 months.
Advanced Training (months 7-18, core status):
- During the advanced training period, the candidate will further hone their expertise in pediatric anesthesia care, with a special emphasis on the broad range of procedures treating pathology of the central nervous system.
- See block diagram above for a detailed view of the program structure.
- Intermittent days at Liberty and Eden Campus (ambulatory outpatient facility) and other clinical areas, including neurovascular interventional radiology.
- Four to five weeks of "night float". This call responsibility lasts six nights, followed by a four-day time off without clinical duties.
- The program abides by all regulations, including duty hours, as delineated by the ACGME.
- Fully integrated participation in our educational program, including all lectures, workshops, intensive sessions, wellness seminars, continuous quality improvement, simulation sessions, grand rounds, and all expected fellowship presentations.
- Participants in the program will interact on a regular basis with our core fellows in Pediatric Anesthesiology. Learn more about our ACGME-accredited core Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology.
Leadership:
Jeremy Deer, MD
Program Director, Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship
Program Director, Pediatric Neuroanesthesia Fellowship
Department of Anesthesiology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue ML2001
Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
Email: jeremy.deer@cchmc.org
Luis Vargas Patron, MD
Director, Non-Standard Training (NST) Fellowship Programs
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Neuroanesthesia Fellowship
Department of Anesthesiology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue ML2001
Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
E-mail: luis.vargaspatron@cchmc.org
Applicant Requirements:
- MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree.
- Satisfactorily completion of a post-graduate training program in General Anesthesiology (Residency).
- Additional experience as a practicing attending anesthesiologist is desirable and strongly encouraged but not a must.
- Fluent verbal communication skills in English.
- This training position requires satisfactory passage of the USMLE Part 1, USMLE Part 2-CS, and USMLE Part 2-CK (or current equivalent) examinations, resulting in ECFMG certification. While the application to the program can occur prior to examination completion and ECFMG certification, the candidate is not eligible to begin the program until ECFMG certification is completed.
- This fellowship position will require a “J-1” visa, sponsored by the ECFMG. The Office of Graduate Medical Education at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital will assist the candidate with administrative logistics to obtain an appropriate visa. Green card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents), due to other unrelated circumstances that do not need visa sponsorship, are welcome to apply as well.
- It is strongly advised that candidates participate in the Visiting Observership or Professorship Program offered by the Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology prior to applying to the program. Admission is unlikely without spending time at our institution.
The Department of Anesthesiology Observership Program is a two-to-12-week program designed to introduce Anesthesiologists to Cincinnati Children’s Department of Anesthesiology. The program is designed around the candidate’s interests. We ask potential international fellows to participate in the observership so that we can carefully assess the candidates, and so that the candidates can carefully assess us. An observership is fully funded by the observer. We will assist in coordinating your visit.
Application Process
First Stage:
To start your application to the program, please submit the following documents:
- Send an email to the program coordinator, Lindsay Moyer (lindsay.moyer@cchmc.org), with a current CV (with dates in the month/year format and explanation for any gaps in clinical training or practice), ECFMG certification (if already obtained) and a personal statement describing why you are interested in the program.
- The program coordinator will send back a link to fill out an application form. Please reply with the information requested on the form.
After reviewing your CV, ECFMG certification (if already available), personal statement and answers to the application form, we will contact you with further steps.
Second Stage:
If your candidacy is deemed appropriate for the program, a virtual on-line interview will be scheduled with Dr. Vargas Patron, Director for NST Fellowship Programs for the Anesthesiology Department.
To move further along in the process, you will need:
- Documentation to verify your graduation from medical school (diploma with official certified English translation).
- Documentation to verify the completion of your post-graduate training in General Anesthesiology (certificate with official certified English translation).
- Three letters of recommendation: (a) One letter should be from your departmental chair; (b) one from your most current program director (if within five years of graduation); and (c) one from a colleague from your current institution (if already practicing) or from a supervising Faculty member (if currently or recently in training).
- A professional color photo of yourself.
Third Stage:
After the virtual interview and receipt of the appropriate documentation, an invitation for an observership at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital may be extended. A minimum of two weeks is advised.
During your observership, in-person interviews with the Program Director for the Pediatric Neuroanesthesia Fellowship, Dr. Deer, and other Faculty will be arranged.
Fourth Stage:
Final decision and potential offer letter.
Visa application (if applicable).
