About the Fellowship
Children's Hospital Los Angeles offers a comprehensive two-year residency (fellowship) training program in pediatric surgery. This fellowship program, designed for residents who have completed their training and are Board-eligible in general surgery, is accredited by the Residency Review Committee (RRC) of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
The Division of Pediatric Surgery participates in the National Intern and Resident Matching Plan and chooses one fellow each year for the program.
Learn More About the Program
Our fellowship, established in 1961, offers a great breadth of cases. Operative cases include extensive experience with neonatal surgery, anorectal malformations, pediatric surgical oncology, hepatobiliary and thoracic surgery. In the first year, junior fellows gain experience in general pediatric surgery, trauma, neonatology and intensive care of older children, pediatric otolaryngology, and urology. They gradually assume a greater role in patient management and administrative duties in the final two months of the year. In the second year, senior fellows participate in virtually all newborn surgery, tumor surgery and non-cardiothoracic surgery while on service and have administrative responsibilities for weekly conferences.
There are weekly lectures led by Pediatric Surgery faculty as well as other faculty members from other specialties such as pediatric oncology, neonatology and pediatric anesthesiology. Each weekly lecture is followed by rounds in the Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU), where fellows, residents and medical students review complex neonatal surgical patients and discuss challenging scenarios to simulate the pediatric surgery boards. Pediatric Surgery and NICCU faculty members lead the rounds.
Attendance at outpatient clinics one half-day a week is required, and a monthly clinic devoted to long-term patient-care follow-up is mandatory throughout the two-year fellowship. Residents can attend specialty clinics such as Vascular Anomalies Clinic, Colorectal Clinic, Trauma Clinic and Aerodigestive Clinic.
At our facility, fellows will have access to the knowledge and expertise of a team of pediatric surgeons with different backgrounds, teaching methods and interests. Fellows will also be mentored on becoming a successful surgeon in academic medicine.
During the fellowship, the senior fellow is expected to complete the American Board of Surgery qualifying and certification exams in general surgery. Upon completion of the fellowship program, the graduating fellow will be eligible to take the Board exam in pediatric surgery.
Special Features
Fellows in the Pediatric Surgery Training Program will have in-depth exposure to several excellent clinical programs.
Trauma Program
Fellows have the opportunity to participate in our excellent Trauma Program. The hospital is designated as the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and as the Regional Verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.
Patients with multisystem injuries are admitted to the Division of Pediatric Surgery under the direct supervision of the fellows and attending staff. The fellows actively participate in the Multidisciplinary Trauma Teaching and Trauma Morbidity and Mortality Conferences, held monthly.
The Trauma Program is multidisciplinary and includes key stakeholder representatives from departments across the hospital.
ECMO Program
Fellows participate in the care of patients in the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program. Several ECMO research projects are also under way, particularly involving patients with diaphragmatic hernia.
How to Apply
The CHLA Surgery Fellowship Program is a part of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Our program takes applications via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). If you are interested in applying for our fellowship program, you will need to apply through the ERAS application process.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law or CHLA policy.
The Division is committed to cultivating a vibrant and culturally diverse community of faculty that best reflects the patients and families we serve.
Program Fast Facts
ACGME Accredited: Yes
Fellows per year: 1
Application Deadline: Dec. 31
(1.5 years ahead of fellowship start date)
Duration: 2 years
Postgraduate Training Required: Yes
U.S. Citizenship Required: No
Salary Minimums:
Post Graduate Year 4: $84,073.60 minimum
Post Graduate Year 5: $87,401.60 minimum
Post Graduate Year 6: $90,667.20 minimum
Post Graduate Year 7: $93,828.80 minimum
Post Graduate Year 8: $96,948.80 minimum
Post Graduate Year 9+: Please contact gme@chla.usc.edu
* Compensation will be at the discretion of each division
Benefits Include: Flexible benefits program starts on the first day of employment which includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance for you and your dependents, 401(k) matching up to 3%. Also includes 14 days of paid vacation, 6 days of protected sick leave, yearly educational stipend, monthly cell phone bill and meal stipend.
Fellow Case Volume:
2024 Graduate: 1282
2023 Graduate: 1095
2022 Graduate: 1,324
2021 Graduate: 1,288
2020 Graduate: 1,300
2019 Graduate: 1,300
2018 Graduate: 1,239
2017 Graduate: 1,283
American Board of Surgery Certifying Exam pass rate from 2000 - present: 100%