The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine offers a two-year fellowship program for physicians seeking specialized training in pediatric surgery. In order to be eligible for this program, physicians must first complete an ACGME*-approved general surgery residency program. One fellow is selected every year and must go through an interview process similar to that required for selection to a general surgery residency program.
Over the course of two years, the pediatric surgery fellow participates in approximately 1,200 surgical cases and develops expertise in both open and minimally invasive surgical treatment. The cases encompass a broad range of clinical areas such as:
- Congenital anomalies and diseases of the chest and lungs
- Congenital anomalies and diseases of the abdomen and gastrointestinal tract
- Pediatric cancer
- Burns and trauma
In addition to clinical responsibilities — including preoperative, operative and postoperative care — the pediatric surgery fellow has administrative responsibilities for residents of other programs and for medical students on the service. Upon completion of the program, the fellow is eligible to become board certified in pediatric surgery.
Six board-certified/eligible pediatric surgeons teach, and provide administrative support to, the fellow as well as to a first-year general surgery resident, second-year general surgery resident, second-year pediatric resident and fourth-year general surgery resident who rotate through the service.
* Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education