Medical College of Wisconsin Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program

Our fellows receive all their training at Children’s Wisconsin. Our general ICU unit is a 69-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that has approximately 2,000 admissions per year.

The 36-month curriculum is divided roughly into 16 months of clinical work and 20 months of research activities as follows:

The first year is conducted in 2-3-week blocks. Clinical service during the second and third years made up of 1-2-week block at a time, which allows for increased time dedicated to your scholarly project.

First Year

• PICU – 26-28 weeks (1o6-18 weeks of days, 10-12 weeks of nights)
• Anesthesiology – 6 weeks
• Research – 12-14 weeks
• Transport – 2 weeks
• Transport Medical Control – throughout the year
• Night float M–F; 24h calls on Sat/Sun

Second/Third Years

• PICU – 19-21 weeks (12-14 weeks of days, 7-9 weeks of nights)
• Electives available: neurocritical care, palliative care interest-specific
• Research – 30-33 weeks
• Transport Medical Control – throughout the year
• Night float M–F; 24h calls on Sat/Sun

Mentorship during fellowship is very important. Mentors offer unique guidance as they have been in your position and are using their expertise for your benefit. Throughout your pediatric critical care fellowship training you will work closely with faculty members who will offer advice, guidance, and feedback along the way.

Once you start your research rotation you will have scholarly meetings. This is a multidisciplinary meeting where you discuss your interests and projects you would like to pursue. Based on your interest, you are encouraged to meet with several faculty at MCW who have common goals and select your primary research mentor. Your mentor will offer guidance in the planning phase of your research project and will meet with you to help keep your project on track and collaborate on ideas and progress. Each fellow also has a separate faculty mentor who serves as their go-to resource throughout fellowship. This mentor will be present at faculty meetings as well as semi-annual review. Although all core faculty are involved in the progress of each fellow, this mentor is dedicated to knowing specific details of your fellowship experience. This advisor will not only ensure you are meeting all criteria for graduation but also helps keep your long-term goals in consideration.

Critical Care Conference Series

• Mondays: Senior Fellow Series
  • 4-part series in Fall, targeted toward our 2nd and 3rd year fellows. Provides education and guidance in career and professional development and transition to faculty/attending life
• Tuesdays: Critical Care RESCQD Conference Series
  • Lecture series that encompasses critical care-specific discussions on Research, Ethics, Safety (Patient), Career development, Quality improvement, and Diversity
• Wednesdays: Critical Care Conferences
  • Lecture series led by institutional expert speakers based on the American Board of Pediatrics Content Specifications for Critical Care Medicine covering basic and advanced pathophysiology, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
• Thursdays: Rotating Schedule

Lunch with Leaders

Quarterly lunch on campus with fellowship leadership team and fellows to allow for discussion on a variety of topics

• Journal Article Breakdown Session
  • Quarterly conference series led by PICU faculty. Guides fellows on how to critically appraise journal article publications.
• PICU Code Review: Led by the PICU Code Review Steering Committee
  • Review of all compression events in all 3 ICUs in the preceding month with a focus on quality and systemic improvement opportunities
• PICU Board Review Series
  • Monthly faculty led sessions with board-specific content and question review
• Neurocritical Care Case Conference: Led by NCC Work Group
  • Multi-disciplinary lecture series that includes ICU, general neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, PM&R, and more. In-depth review and discussion of an interesting and/or educational patient case.

Fridays

• Simulation Lab: Led by PD/APDs
  • Once monthly in-person sessions with simulations focused on emergent events, development of critical thinking, and procedural skills in our state-of-the-art simulation lab
• Fellow Administrative Meeting
  • Required monthly meeting direct by the PD. Brings program leadership and fellows together to discuss program announcement, updates, or concerns. Also, a time for fellows to share and celebrate professional and personal milestones with each other!
• Scientific Writing Course
  • 2–4-part series led by PICU faculty. Guides senior fellows through the process of writing a manuscript

Multidisciplinary Conference Series

• Joint Fellowship Curriculum (JFC): Required bi-annual session bringing academicians-in-training from all pediatric disciplines covering a broad range of topics to the professional development of fellows. See JFC section for more details.
• Optional:
  • Cardiac Cath Conference: Weekly multidisciplinary review of upcoming cardiothoracic surgery procedures presented by cardiologists and surgeons
  • Electrophysiology Tea Rounds: Led by one of the electrophysiologists, teaching review and interpretation of EKFs, in collaboration with the pediatric cardiology fellowship
  • Cardiac Surgical Rounds: Led by our cardiothoracic surgeons, reviewing surgical repairs of carious congenital heart defects, in collaboration with the pediatric cardiology fellowship

Department of Pediatrics Conference Series

• Department of Pediatrics Scholarship in Process Conference
  • Weekly research presentations from faculty across all specialties within pediatrics with a focus on shared knowledge, collaborations, and research opportunities
• Pediatric Grand Rounds
  • Weekly lecture for staff physicians, trainees, and students by local and nationally recognized experts in various pediatric specific topics
• Professor Rounds
  • Weekly interactive, hospital-wide clinical case presentation conference presented by a senior pediatric resident where they get to quiz the faculty. A beloved tradition at Children’s Wisconsin!
• Schwartz Rounds
  • Monthly multidisciplinary forum where clinical caregivers discuss difficult emotional and social issues arising from the care of patients

Overview/Throughout Fellowship

• We have 2 multidisciplinary units:
  • West 3: The cardiac ICU where you will manage pre- and post-operative patients with congenital heart disease and complex airway malformations, acquired heart disease, patients with cardiac transplants, various ventricular assist devices, and hospital-wide ECMO (VV and VA).
  • Center 4/West 4: 3 pods make up the general ICU, where you will care for trauma/surgical ICU care, learn post-op management for variety of post-op patients with neurosurgery, general surgery, ENT, and solid organ transplant (predominantly liver and kidney), pediatric burn patients for >20% TBSA burns, sepsis and oncology including bone marrow transplant/hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients, acute and chronic respiratory failure, and more.
• Work directly with residents and nurse practitioners in teams on each floor
• Respond to Code Blue alarms throughout the hospital as the code leader and actively participate in the trauma bay resuscitation for all Level I and Level II traumas.
• Develop skills in triaging admissions and transport patients throughout “Medical Control” pager
• Develop presentation skills through journal club, systems improvement conference, board review, etc.

First Year

• Get immersed in clinical care for gaining comfort and confidence in the PICU early
• Begin learning and mastering routine procedures: arterial lines, peripheral IV’s, central venous lines, chest tube placement, and intubation both in the unit and on 2 months of anesthesia
• Travel with our transport team to various regions during a 2-week rotation

Second Year

• Clinical time is significantly decreased to allow for time to focus on your research project
• Participate in a quality improvement project
• Gain more autonomy during your service weeks
• Twice monthly transport shifts where you may go by ground or air
• Serve as members of section committees such as Code Review, Mortality Review, QI, etc.
• Get involved in activities that achieve personal goals and professional development such as facilitate mock codes, teach PALS (pediatric advance life support) or PFCCS (pediatric fundamental critical care support)

Third Year

• Work on finishing your research project and/or completing additional projects
• Present your research at a national conference
• Twice monthly transport shifts where you may go by ground or air
• Consider electives such as Neuro-Critical Care, bronchoscopy, procedural sedation, palliative care, or toxicology. Past fellows have also spent extra time with cardiology in Cath lab, echo, or EP
• Supervise residents, NPs, and junior fellows’ procedures
• Transition to becoming an attending
• Continue to serve in committees and get involved in activities that achieve personal goals and professional development

Evaluation of Training Program
Pediatric Critical Care fellows and faculty participate in annual reviews of the training program through anonymous surveys provided through the ACGME and MCWAH. The results and comments are collated and discussed at an annual meeting that includes program leadership, 2-3 fellow representatives, and faculty from critical care and other subspecialties. Potential needed changes to the goals, objectives, and/or curriculum are addressed and implemented based on the feedback provided.

Evaluation of Fellows
Fellows are routinely evaluated by critical care faculty for every service week and night call via online evaluation forms. Our evaluation forms utilize the ABP recommended Milestone and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) framework to evaluate each fellows’ development within each core competency. Our core faculty compliance for these evaluations is > 90%. This formative feedback is available to each fellow in real-time and is formally reviewed biannually at their semi-annual reviews with program leadership. Fellows are also evaluated by faculty they work with during electives in other subspecialities.

Evaluation of Faculty
Fellows are provided with the opportunity and encouraged to fill out evaluation forms of faculty they work with in all 3 of our units. These evaluations are provided to faculty in 6 months blocks to maintain anonymity.

Typical Day on W4 and W5

• 6 a.m. receive sign-out from the overnight team
• 8 a.m. radiology rounds
• 8:30 a.m. resident teaching
• 9 a.m. morning rounds
• 12 p.m. conference mostly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Simulation lab and board review some Fridays
• 1 p.m. ongoing patient management, new admissions, care conferences, etc.
• 5 p.m. sign out to the overnight team

Typical day on W3

• 6 a.m. receive sign-out from the overnight team
• 8 a.m. sign out rounds with CT surgery, cardiology, and CICU team
• 9 a.m. morning rounds
• 12 p.m. conference mostly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Simulation lab and board review some Fridays
• 1 p.m. ongoing patient management, new admissions, care conferences, etc.
• 4 p.m. bedside sign out rounds to the overnight team

Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Instructorship: A 1-year training opportunity for physicians who have successfully completed a 3-year pediatric critical care fellowship and are pursuing a career in pediatric cardiac intensive care. Please visit this website for more details. Please contact Dr. Adam Szadkowski for additional information.

July 2021-June 2024

• Melissa Chiu, MD | After fellowship: Palliative Care Fellowship, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
• Angelica Ostrowski, DO | After fellowship: Attending physician, Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL
• Krista Parran, MD | After fellowship: Cardiac 4th year instructorship, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
• Meaghan Reaney, DO | After fellowship: Anesthesia Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

July 2020-June 2023

• Besma Jaber, MD | After combined MICU/PICU fellowship: Attending physician, Aurora Advocate Health Systems; Chicago, IL
• Fatima Ajmal, MD | After fellowship: Assistant Professor, University of Chicago/Comer Children’s Hospital; Chicago, IL
• Cameron Kasmai, MD | After fellowship: Fourth year fellowship at Children's Texas; Houston, TX
• Christena McBride, MD | After fellowship: Attending physician, Randall Children’s Hospital; Portland, OR
• Merritt Tuttle, MD | After fellowship: Toxicology Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI

July 2019-June 2022

• Bill Benson, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Boston Children's; Boston, MA
• Kathryn Higdon, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, University of Missouri Child Health; Columbia, MO
• Vickren Pillay, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Boston Children's; Boston, MA
• Kelsey Wehrenberg, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, University of Florida Shands Children's Hospital; Gainesville, FL

July 2018-July 2021

• M. Ashwini Bhat, MD | After fellowship: Anesthesia Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital; Baltimore, MD
• Ali Hemyari, MD | After fellowship: Anesthesia Residency at Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
• Palak Shah, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Presbyterian Healthcare Services; Albuquerque, NM
• Kellie Snooks, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI

July 2017-June 2020

• Matthew Amidon, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Senior Instructorship, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI; 2020-2021; Current: Cardiac Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
• Matthew Powell, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas; Wichita, KS
• Ira Shukla, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Children’s Hospital New Orleans; New Orleans, LA
• Raji Venkitachalam, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI; 2020-

January 2017-December 2018

• Amy O’Connor, DO | Prior fellowship: Cardiology Fellowship at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital; Nashville, TN; 2013-2016; After fellowship: Cardiac Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Lurie Children’s Hospital; Chicago, IL

July 2016-June 2019

• Samantha Friedman, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri Child Health; Columbia, MO
• Whitney Kopp, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital; Spokane, WA
• Nital Patel, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Pediatric Intensivist, Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Specialists; St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN

July 2015-June 2018

• Amee Bigelow, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; Cincinnati, OH
• Erin Flynn, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Specialists; St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN
• Pamela Petersen, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Texas Children’s Hospital; Houston, TX

July 2015-June 2017

• Jesse Stringer | Prior fellowship: Cardiology Fellowship at Stanford University; Palo Alto, CA; 2012-2015; After fellowship: Cardiac Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Rady Children’s Hospital; San Diego, CA

July 2014-June 2017

• Andrew Ausmus, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Anesthesia Associates of Kansas City; Overland Parks, KS
• Ahmeneh Ghavam, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Assistant Professor, Comer Children’s Hospital/University of Chicago; Chicago, IL
• Steven Haasken, MD | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Essentia Health; Duluth, MN
• Patrick Noonan, DO | After fellowship: Pediatric Intensivist, Lutheran Children’s Hospital; Fort Wayne, IN

1. Shah P, Petersen TL, Zhang L, Yan K, Thompson NE. Using Aggregate Vasoactive-Inotrope Scores to Predict Clinical Outcomes in Pediatric Sepsis. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2022 Mar 4;10;778378.doi:10.3389/fped.2022.778378. eCollection 2022. PMID: 35311061 PMCID: PMC3981266 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.778378. 
2. Fink EL, Robertson CL, Wainwright MS, Roa JD, Lovett ME, Stulce C, Yacoub M, Potera RM, Zivick E, Holloway A, Nagpal A, Wellnitz K, Czech T, Even KM, Brunow de Carvalho W, Rodriguez IS, Schwartz SP, Walker TC, Campos-Miño S, Dervan LA, Geneslaw AS, Sewell TB, Pryce P, Silver WG, Lin JE, Vargas WS, Topjian A, Alcamo AM, McGuire JL, Domínguez Rojas JA, Muñoz JT, Hong SJ, Muller WJ, Doerfler M, Williams CN, Drury K, Bhagat D, Nelson A, Price D, Dapul H, Santos L, Kahoud R, Francoeur C, Appavu B, Guilliams KP, Agner SC, Walson KH, Rasmussen L, Janas A, Ferrazzano P, Farias-Moeller R, Snooks KC, Chang CH, Yun J, Schober ME, Global Consortium Study of Neurologic Dysfunction in COVID-19 (GCS-NeuroCOVID) Investigators. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Neurologic Manifestations in Hospitalized Children Diagnosed with Acute SARS-CoV-2 or MIS-C. Pediatr Neurol 2022 03;128:33-44 PMID: 35066369 PMCID: PMC8713420 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85122662722 01/24/2022. 
3. Segar DE, Amidon M, Scott J, Frommelt PC. Native Aortic Root Thrombus in 3-Year-Old Fontan Patient with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Presentation and Echocardiographic Findings of This Life-Threatening Complication. CASE (Phila) 2021 Oct;5(5):276-279 PMID: 34712870 PMCID: PMC8530801 10/30/2021.  
4. Powell MBF, Rajapreyar P, Yan K, Sirinit J, Mikhailov TA. Nutritional Practices & Outcomes in Patients with Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2021 Dec 27. doi: 10.1002/jpen.2320. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34961948. 
5. Segar DE, Amidon M, Scott J, Frommelt PC. Native Aortic Root Thrombus in 3-Year-Old Fontan Patient with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Presentation and Echocardiographic Findings of This Life-Threatening Complication. CASE (Phila) 2021 Oct;5(5):276-279 PMID: 34712870 PMCID: PMC8530801 10/30/2021.  
6. Shukla I, Hanson SJ, Yan K, Zhang J. Vasoactive-Inotropic Score and Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal Score as Outcome Predictors for Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2021 Nov;9;769932.doi: 10.3389/fped.2021.769932.eCollection 2021. PMID: 34917562 PMCID: PMC8669802 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.769932. 
7. Snooks KC, Yan K, Farias-Moeller R, Fink EL, Hanson SJ. Continuous Electroencephalogram and Antiseizure Medication Use in an International Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Population. Neurocrit Care 2022 04;36(2):573-583 PMID: 34553297 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85115327777 09/24/2021. 
8. Friedman SD, Kovach JR, Thompson, NE. Methadone's Effect on Cardiac Repolarization: Safety in the PICU. Ped Crit Care 2020 Sep;21(9):e747-e751.doi: 10.1097/PCC.000000000002492. PMID: 32740189. 
9. Patel N, Petersen TL, Simpson PM, Feng M, Hanson SJ. Rates of Venous Thromboembolism and Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections Among Types of Central Venous Access Devices in Critically Ill Children. Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;48(9):1340-1348. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004461.PMID: 32590391. 
10. Marcdante K, Knox K, Amidon M. Preparing for the Transition to Your Next Career Role. J Grad Med Educ 2020 Feb;12(1):109-110 PMID: 32064063 PMCID: PMC7012517 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85079537283 02/18/2020. 
11. Bigelow AM, Koh W, Kinstler A, Conn SM, Geiser L, Wright CC, LaMantia SP, France A, Cooper DS. Eliminating Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;21(9):e819-e826. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002469.PMID: 32769704. 
12. Patel N, Petersen TL, Simpson PM, Feng M, Hanson SJ. Rates of Venous Thromboembolism and Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections Among Types of Central Venous Access Devices in Critically Ill Children. Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;48(9):1340-1348. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004461.PMID: 32590391. 
13. Friedman SD, Kovach JR, Thompson, NE. Methadone's Effect on Cardiac Repolarization: Safety in the PICU. Ped Crit Care 2020 Sep;21(9):e747-e751.doi: 10.1097/PCC.000000000002492. PMID: 32740189. 
14. Marcdante K, Knox K, Amidon M. Preparing for the Transition to Your Next Career Role. J Grad Med Educ 2020 Feb;12(1):109-110 PMID: 32064063 PMCID: PMC7012517 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85079537283 02/18/2020. 
15. Bigelow AM, Ghanayem NS, Thompson NE, Scott JP, Cassidy LD, Woods KJ, Woods RK, Mitchell ME, Hraŝka V, Hoffman GM. Safety and Efficacy of Vasopressin After Fontan Completion: A Randomized Pilot Study. Bigelow AM, Ghanayem NS, Thompson NE, Scott JP, Cassidy LD, Woods KJ, Woods RK, Mitchell ME, Hraŝka V, Hoffman GM. 
16. Petersen PC, Hanson S, Yan K, Clarke W. Partially Wireless Pulse Oximetry Reduces Loss of Signal Integrity due to Motion in Children. Hosp Pediatr. 2019 Sep;9(9):690-696. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2019-0017. Epub 2019 Aug 16. PMID: 31420351. 
17. Parashar N, Amidon M, Milad A, Devine A, Yi L, Penk J. Noninvasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist Versus High Flow Cannula Support After Congenital Heart Surgery. World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2019 09;10(5):565-571 PMID: 31496404 09/10/2019. 
18. Notario PM, Gentile E, Amidon M, Angst D, Lefaiver C, Webster K). Home-Based Telemedicine for Children with Medical Complexity. Telemed J E Health 2019 11;25(11):1123-1132 PMID: 30628860 PMCID: PMC6842894 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85066097420 01/11/2019. 
19. Bigelow AM, Flynn-O'Brien KT, Simpson PM, Dasgupta M, Hanson SJ. Multicenter Review of Current Practices Associated with Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients After Trauma. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2018 Sep;19(9):e448-e454. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000001614.PMID: 29912812. 
    
20. O'Connor A, Smith AH, Crum K, Edwards TL, Kannankeril PJ. Analysis of clinical and candidate genetic risk factors for postoperative atrial tachycardia after congenital heart surgery in infants. Am Heart Journal 2018 Aug;202;1-4, doi: PMID: 29800783 PMCID: PMC6067964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2018.04.014. 
21. Bigelow AM, Scott JP, Hong JC, Cronin DC, Vitola BE, Fons RA, Petersen TL. Human Parechovirus as a Cause of Isolated Pediatric Acute Liver Failure. Pediatrics. 2016 Nov;138(5):e20160233. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-0233.PMID: 27940759. 

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Learn more about our curriculum

Meet Our Faculty

About the Medical College of Wisconsin

With a history dating back to 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in MCW’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin. MCW’s School of Pharmacy opened in 2017. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In the last ten years, faculty received more than $1.5 billion in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,100 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,600 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 4.0 million patients annually.

About Children’s Wisconsin

Children’s Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is nationally ranked in four specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2019, Children’s invested more than $130 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

At MCW and within the Department of Pediatrics, we have several programs and resources focused on fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Our departmental and institutional focus is confronting negative perceptions and welcoming our community. Below is just a sampling of the efforts across our institutions to embed the principles of diversity and inclusion into our culture.

• DOP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council | Our Diversity Council, led by Dr. Mike Levas, the DOP Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, and comprised of faculty, staff, administration, and trainees, is focused on connecting with partners across our system and within the community to ensure the DOP is a diverse, equitable and inclusive employer.
• DOP Fellowship and Residency Diversity and Inclusion Committees | In a city filled with its own diversity and rich cultural history, our fellows and residents recognize the importance of addressing diversity, health equity, and inclusion within our programs. As such, the program is proud to recognize the presence and work of its Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• DOP Unconscious Bias Training | The AAMC has partnered with Cook Ross, Inc., a leading consulting firm, to create training focused on the science behind unconscious bias to help academic medical staff and faculty mitigate disparities. Seven members of our team have earned a certification as unconscious bias trainers through Cook Ross. These trainers have translated what they’ve learned into a two-hour training for our faculty and staff. By learning how to identify and confront unconscious bias, it is possible to mitigate the impact and promote respect for all groups.
• Trauma-Informed Workplace Training | This committee has undertaken actions including a department-wide survey and the creation of four online training modules sharing the principles of trauma-informed approach and how to recognize signs and symptoms of trauma in ourselves and others. This group started as part of Fostering Futures, a state-wide initiative aimed at infusing a trauma-informed approach into all the systems and organizations that touch the lives of Wisconsin citizens with the goal of expanding across the state to make Wisconsin the first trauma-informed state in the nation.
• Office of Diversity and Inclusion | Established in March 2016, the MCW Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) partners within MCW and with community partners to foster and drive inclusion excellence as an effective, empowering enabler of MCW mission and strategic goals.
• Spring Festival of Cultures | The annual Spring Festival of Cultures encourages an increased awareness and celebration of the visible and non-visible identities among our MCW community. This three-day event is an opportunity to promote the fostering of diversity, inclusion and unity at MCW.
• President’s Diversity and Inclusion Award | MCW’s President's Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes the accomplishments of faculty, staff, students, residents, trainees, and community members in contributing to diversity and inclusion through exemplary leadership.
• Institute of Health and Equity | The Institute for Health & Equity is focused on researching the root causes of health disparities in our communities, and advancing the best ideas to foster health equity throughout the world. We target populations with abnormally high rates of disease and injury – urban and rural alike – and then we find out why. Partnering with community health collaborators who live and work closest to the most vulnerable populations, we are making an impact on reducing those disparities, one community at a time.
• GMF-MCW Partnership | Through their overall partnership, MCW and GMF will bring complementary expertise on a range of strategies to invest in the health, equity and economic well-being of people across Milwaukee, beginning with the neighborhoods adjacent to the new development. Guided by community priorities and data, the GMF-MCW Partnership will be a catalyst for additional investment and community impact. Together, the partners will:
  • Engage resident and community partnerships
  • Improve social determinants of health
  • Catalyze change that leverages resources and investment

Learn about MCW's Office of Diversity and Inclusion

“As I complete my pediatric critical care fellowship and move on to the next stage of my career, I cannot thank all of you enough for the past 3 years. Our fellowship program is incredibly blessed to have such an exemplary group of faculty to teach, support and guide us in the early stages of our careers. I greatly appreciate and cherish all the knowledge, support and friendship I have found in each and every one of you.”

“As I complete my pediatric critical care fellowship and move on to the next stage of my career, I cannot thank all of you enough for the past 3 years. Our fellowship program is incredibly blessed to have such an exemplary group of faculty to teach, support and guide us in the early stages of our careers. I greatly appreciate and cherish all the knowledge, support and friendship I have found in each and every one of you.”

"'Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.’ Without question, I can say that there are so many great teachers here at Children's that I think even an entire fellowship is a short time to learn from all of them.”

"I think that, in addition to our high volume and acuity exposure, we have unique experiences with our transport and trauma involvement."

"Training to become a pediatric intensivist at Children's has been a great adventure. One of the primary reasons that has made fellowship such a positive experience has been the leadership and support of the fellowship program. Being a critical care fellow comes with several challenges that go well beyond taking care of the critically ill child. While I knew I would receive excellent clinical experience here at Children's as the foundation of my training, the fellowship program has really helped me grow in ways that go beyond these clinical aspects. Areas of focus, such as professional development, mentoring, critical thinking, and work-life balance are not just discussions that get you through one day to the next but lessons that perpetually push me to grow in ways that are both unexpected and genuine. I am truly grateful to be the part of this process at Children's and feel better prepared to be a pediatric intensivist in more ways than I ever imagined because of it."

“The program here has such a wide variety of pathology among its patients as a fellow you feel prepared to care for all patients following your time here. The support from faculty in regard to clinical experience and research is the best, ultimately preparing you for nothing but success in future endeavors.”

“Working with faculty from different training backgrounds helps develop familiarity with different practices and management approaches.”

“The fellowship training has high patient volume, exposing you to a variety of disease processes and medical complexity. There are also multiple institutional affiliations, which create a wide array of research opportunities.”

“My favorite thing about the PICU fellowship program here at Children's is definitely the people I work with. It’s more like a family than anything. I consider myself extremely lucky to have such and amazing leadership, faculty, co-fellows, NPs and nurses.”

Milwaukee is one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets and a prime location for the Medical College of Wisconsin’s main campus. A one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why MCW students, faculty and employees take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

Where do the current fellows live?

• Brewer's Hill in downtown Milwaukee
• Wauwatosa
• Oak Creek
• Third Ward
• Brookfield
• Lower East Side

Favorite places fellows have visited in Wisconsin:

• Devil’s Lake near Madison
• Whetherby Cranberry Company
• Lakefront
• Summerfest
• Door County
• Two Rivers
• Wisconsin Dells
• Sunrise at Cave Point County Park
• Wisconsin State Parks

Favorite restaurants in Milwaukee:

• Odd Duck
• Elephant Cafe
• Ca’lucchenzo 
• Carnevor 
• La Masa 
• Anmol
• Stella Van Buren
• Celesta
• Amilinda
• Dorsia
• The Original
• Kin by Rice and Roll

MCW is a great choice for your work. And your life. Learn more about housing and rental options.

More about Milwaukee

Our 3-year fellowship program is ACGME accredited and begins on July 1 each year. We accept four fellows each year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must have completed a US-accredited residency program. Applications from prospective applicants are accepted from July through October via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We will access your application and contact you to make interview arrangements.

Complete applications should include the following:

• ERAS application form
• At least 3 letters of reference including Program Director letter
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation/Dean's Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement
• MD Applicants: USMLE scores - Steps 1, 2, and 3 or
• DO Applicants: COMLEX scores – Levels 1, 2 and 3
• ECFMG certificate for foreign medical school graduates (see visa information below)

Our program currently accepts the following visas:

• Permanent Resident Visa
• Visitor Exchange Visa sponsored by ECFMG (J-1)
• Temporary Professional Workers (H-1B)

For additional visa information please visit MCW’s office of Graduate Medical Education.

Apply on ERAS

Fellows are employed by the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH).

See MCWAH Benefits, Conditions & Terms of Employment for information regarding vacations, leaves, insurance, stipends and professional liability.