Medical College of Wisconsin Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Fellowship

Children's Wisconsin is a state of the art 306-bed facility on the campus of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

Children's Wisconsin is the only free-standing pediatric hospital in Wisconsin, providing primary care to children in the Milwaukee area, Level I trauma care, and tertiary care to patients from a wide referral base including Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The hospital has a 68-bed PICU, which hosts a Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program, as well as an active pediatric transport team. The hospital is linked to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) by a skywalk, and to other major teaching centers of MCW including Froedtert Hospital, a level 1 adult trauma center.

The 50-bed Emergency Department and Trauma Center (EDTC) of Children's Wisconsin is staffed by PEM faculty members, APPs and fellows. We are involved in teaching medical students, pre-hospital providers, and residents in pediatrics, emergency medicine, and family practice. Our group is active in clinical research in various areas of pediatric emergency medicine including trauma, injury prevention, asthma, head trauma, violence, adolescent issues, pain management, sedation and outcome measures for common interventions. We participate in the PECARN network and are actively involved in multiple studies coordinated by this network.

In addition to bedside teaching of residents and medical students, there are many opportunities to participate in formal lectures outside the emergency department:

• Journal club: Each fellow will lead journal club with 1-2 article reviews per year.
• Case conference: Each fellow will present an interesting or difficult case to a group of PEM faculty and fellows 2-3 times per year.
• Department of Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds: Each fellow will present a pediatric topic at the Department of Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds 1-2 times per year.
• Splint and Suture workshops: Fellows may participate in bi-annual splint and suture workshops for pediatric residents.
• Pediatric Intern workshop: Fellows have the opportunity to participate in procedural workshops for incoming pediatric interns that include airway, laceration repair and lumbar puncture stations among others.
• PEM Bootcamp: First year fellows have time set aside to attend this regional bootcamp held in St. Louis, MO. Tailored to prepare first years for fellowship, the multi-day seminar focuses on high-acuity and procedure-specific skills as well as simulations and workshops. Learn more.
• Resident Simulation Facilitator: Fellows have the opportunity to help run simulations for pediatric and emergency medicine residents and help facilitate discussion and debriefing.

Formal fellow education is also an integral portion of training and consists of lectures as well as hands-on workshops:

• Simulation lab: Fellows manage high acuity scenarios through high fidelity in-situ simulation 1-2 times per month and receive immediate feedback from PEM faculty.
• Boards Preparation: Fellows regularly meet with faculty to review PEM board style questions from multiple board review resources.
• Radiology lectures: Lecture based series led by radiology faculty that involves methodical approaches to reading images while reviewing interesting films occurring monthly to every other month.
• Ultrasound curriculum: Monthly lecture based, and hands-on sessions led by Ultrasound trained PEM faculty.
• Procedure workshops: Integrated with the monthly SIM sessions throughout the year and led by PEM and other subspecialty faculty.

For those fellows interested in a Medical Education/Teaching focus, the Medical College of Wisconsin hosts a thriving pediatric residency program providing physicians in training opportunities to achieve clinical excellence. Learn more about Pediatric Medical Education.

Education
Fellows receive formal training in research design and statistics, and become competent in scientific writing and research. Statistical guidance is available within the section and Department of Pediatrics. Fellows create their scholarship oversight committees which have the responsibility of supervising the fellow's research efforts. This committee meets biannually and reports to the fellowship director who monitors research activity and productivity. Manuscript and abstract preparation skills are emphasized in didactic and individual sessions.

Mentoring
Each fellow will choose a faculty member to assist him/her in developing and conducting a research project. The faculty mentor will provide advice on study design, data collection, abstract preparation and manuscript writing. The fellowship director will be available to provide advice and is responsible for monitoring the fellow's progress in research.

Scholarship Expectations
The fellow is expected to complete a significant study of publishable quality during the fellowship and present the research at local, regional, and national conferences. The fellow will be encouraged to collaborate on additional projects as appropriate.

Areas of Scholarship
Scholarship may be done in any area of pediatric emergency medicine. Some current scholarship interests in our group include new methods of analgesia/sedation, asthma, violence and injury prevention, emergency department utilization, trauma, medication education, point-of-care ultrasound, and global health.

Statistical Analysis
Available within the Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics.

Graduate Degree
Master's preparation in Clinical Epidemiology, Bioethics, and Public Health is offered on campus at MCW through a master's in Clinical & Translational Sciences. Fellows are encouraged to undertake this coursework and are supported through schedule adaptation when necessary.

Clinical Training in the Emergency Department
Clinical training occurs during the three fellowship years. Assignments in the EDTC during the first 3-6 months of fellowship are "protected" with the emphasis on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to practice independently and to supervise. These fellow shifts are supervised by the attending EDTC physician. As the fellow progresses during the first year, supervision of house staff and students, and independent practice working with an on-site attending physician is emphasized. During the second and third year of fellowship, the fellow is assigned shifts alongside the charge Physician to gain experience managing all aspects of the emergency department.

Elective Options

• Toxicology
• Point-of-care Ultrasound, Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery
• Burn Medicine
• Pediatric Radiology
• Pediatric Dermatology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Pediatric ENT
• Pediatric Neurology
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Surgery
• Gynecology/Adolescent Medicine
• Medical Education
• Child/Sexual Abuse
• Prehospital Care
• Intensive Research Experience
• Simulation Education

If desired, electives can be combined (e.g., ½ radiology + ½ dermatology, etc.)

View sample fellowship rotation schedule (PDF)

Clinical
Supervision and teaching of medical students and residents (pediatric, family practice, and emergency medicine) in EDTC. A workshop on bedside teaching is presented annually.

Didactic

• Presentations
  • PALS instructor
  • Formal presentations at the Department of Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds, PEM case conference, and Pediatric noon conference.
• Preparation
  The fellows receive instruction on lecture preparation skills and slide preparation. Each presentation is reviewed with the fellow for content, organization, and presentation and assistance with slide preparation is provided.

Administrative Skills
Participation in administrative duties is an integral part of fellowship education and career development. Fellows will participate in:

• Individual fellow administrative assignments including: fellow recruitment coordinator, fellow emergency department scheduling, educational schedule coordinator/administrator, and social media manager.
• Quarterly PEM fellow business meetings
• Monthly section business meetings

Quality Improvement
Fellows will receive education and mentorship on quality improvement in an effort to improve patient safety and care. Fellows will participate in:

• Ongoing section QI activities
• Monthly section QI meetings

Risk Management
Fellows will become familiar with concepts of risk management and essentials of emergency department documentation.

• Fellows work three main shifts: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., 3 p.m.-12 a.m., 11 p.m.- 7 a.m.
• Gain knowledge of pediatric emergencies, stabilization and management by providing care at a high-volume Level 1 Pediatric Emergency Department and Trauma Center
• Function as the team lead and direct all medical resuscitations
• Alternate weeks with our surgical colleagues leading Level 1 and Level 2 traumas
• Interact with residents, APP trainees and medical students from various programs across Wisconsin
• Provide “Just in Time” teaching for learners on shift. We have a dedicated Education Room with procedural supplies.
• Overnights and weekends are evenly distributed. Fellows work up to 3 overnight shifts per month and will have at least one full weekend off per month.
• No jeopardy system!
• Wednesdays are Education Days which include lectures, case conferences, journal clubs, section administrative meetings, SIMs and more.

Our 3-year fellowship program is ACGME accredited and begins on July 1 each year. We accept two or three 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)

View MCWAH visa information

Apply via ERAS

Fellows are employed by the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH). View their website for information regarding vacations, leaves, insurance, stipends and professional liability.

MCWAH benefits, conditions and terms of employment

As a fellow, you will participate in the FACTS Program and embark on a journey that not only enhances your professional skills but also fosters meaningful connections with peers across various pediatric subspecialties. FACTS is a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance your education through career development, scholarly activities, and personalized learning experiences. FACTS offers centralized education on core topics relevant to all pediatric subspecialties, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among fellows. The curriculum emphasizes individualized education by providing multiple offerings in certain time slots, allowing you to tailor your learning to your specific interests and career goals. Through shared learning sessions and collaborative projects, you'll build lasting relationships that support both your personal and professional growth, preparing you to excel as a well-rounded pediatric subspecialist.

Learn more about our curriculum

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.

Learn about housing and rental options.

Meet our team

"Training as a fellow here was the best of all worlds: attendings who treat you as colleagues and push your autonomy and decision making, mentors who find and connect you to opportunities both in and out of the hospital to grow your niche interests, and a supportive family through the highs and lows of life. I am as prepared as I can be for work and life after training!"
Swathi Prasad, MD

"Training at MCW is like no other! Fast-paced, high-volume, high-acuity shifts combined with fantastic teachers provides a learning environment that prepares fellows to transition to attending-hood with ease. There are ample opportunities for research and mentorship designed to focus on each fellow's personal strengths and career goals. Overall, a great training experience!"
Erica Iafelice, DO

“MCW provided an ideal set up for fellowship training. Children’s is a busy level-1 trauma center with a diverse patient population and a wide range of pathologies and acuity. The faculty is full of down-to-earth people who are supportive of fellow autonomy and academic endeavors.”
Jay Todd, MD

“The variety of clinical presentations is truly unmatched from blunt to penetrating trauma and from suburban, urban, underserved and everything in between I’m leaving fellowship well versed in clinical pathology. Not only do you get a rich breath of clinical experience but the support and mentorship is top notch. Also as a PECARN node, there is robust research support in place for your success. There is a great framework, mentorship, and networking available to nurture any academic pursuit you may have. Our section is dedicated to creating leaders in the field of PEM.”
Meagan Ladell, MD

“The training at this program cannot be beat. From clinical exposure to academic opportunities, you'll graduate from this program with the skills and mentorship to take on anything in your PEM career.”
Kelly Bailey, MD

“I love the autonomy of the program. The people are so supportive and Milwaukee is a fun and very livable city.”
Stephanie Schroter, MD

“This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to complete successful research while still being a trainee which I feel is rare at this training level."
David Vyles, DO, MS

"I chose MCW to work alongside attendings who make you feel like a colleague and join a program with great research support. The program truly wants to find ways to support your academic interests that will shape your future career, whatever they may be."
Sarah Thill, MD

"I feel that the program here really supports fellow research efforts and quality improvement work. It prepared me to be a very competitive applicant for faculty positions."
Shannon Baumer-Mouradian, MD

"The thing that drew me to the fellowship, made by experience as a fellow truly enjoyable, and led me to come back as an attending is the people. I’ve always appreciated everyone’s passion and dedication to their work, support for each other and willingness to try new ideas."
Chris Spahr, MD

"Milwaukee is a great place to learn how to be a pediatric emergency physician. Patient volumes in the ED are consistently high, and there is a solid mix of trauma, bread and butter pediatrics, and more complex, special needs patients. There is also wonderful faculty mentorship and research support. I’m very happy I chose MCW for fellowship."
Megan Schultz, MD, MA

"What I most value from my training (and why I decided to come here in the first place) are the amazing people I got to work with!  From the faculty to nurses to ancillary staff I always felt supported and was able to gain valuable knowledge, skills and mentors both clinically, academically and personally."
Jean Pearce, MD, MS

“I am very thankful for the clinical training as well as the lifelong mentorships I've gained during fellowship at MCW. CHW is one of only 35 level 1 pediatric trauma centers in the country and the level of acuity and variety of patients that we see on a daily basis is incredible. The lessons I've learned in managing critical patients, running a department, and leading a team have prepared me to step into any pediatric emergency department in the country and hit the ground running.”
Yan Zahn, MD

Jamie Holland, MD
Residency: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Narmeen Khan, MD
Residency: University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL

Nathaniel White, MD
Residency: University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, Burlington, VT

Madeline Field, MD
Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
After Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia, PA

Swathi Prasad, MD
Residency: MCWAH-Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
After Fellowship: Emory-Children's Center; Atlanta, GA

Amanda Dupont, DO

Residency: William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI

After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Milwaukee, WI

Erica Iafelice, DO

Residency: Advocate Christ Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL

After Fellowship: Hasbro Children's Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI

Jane Rivas, MD

Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Milwaukee, WI

Dominique Diggs, MD
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
After Fellowship: EMS Fellowship, Houston, TX

Meagan Ladell, MD
Residency: St. Louis Children’s Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis, MO
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Milwaukee, WI

Jason Todd, MD
Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
After Fellowship: South Shore Hospital, South Weymouth, MA

David Ashby, DO, MS
Residency: Phoenix Children’s Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center; Phoenix, AZ
After Fellowship:  Texas Children’s Hospital; Houston, TX

Stephanie Schroter, MD
Residency: University of California; San Diego, CA
After Fellowship: Rady Children’s Hospital; San Diego, CA

Sarah Thill, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Milwaukee, WI

Shannon Baumer-Mouradian, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Milwaukee, WI

Lindsey Query, MD
Residency: Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Phoenix, AZ
After Fellowship: Children’s Mercy Hospital; Kansas City, MO

Megan Schultz, MD, MA
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, MA
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Milwaukee, WI

Nick Kuehnel, MD
Residency: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital; Chicago, IL
After Fellowship: UW Hospital System; Madison, WI

Neel Subramanian, MD
Residency: Loyola University; Chicago, IL
After Fellowship: Duke University Hospital; Durham, NC

David Vyles, DO
Residency: Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Phoenix, AZ
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Milwaukee, WI

Daisy Ciener, MD
Residency: University Hospital Case Medical Center/Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital; Cleveland, OH
After Fellowship: Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital of Vanderbilt; Nashville, TN

Jean Pearce, MD
Residency: University of California–Davis; Sacramento, CA
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI

Maren Lunoe, MD, MS
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
After Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA

Nina Muhammad, DO, MS
Residency: Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center; Oak Lawn, IL
After Fellowship: Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center; Oak Lawn, IL

Michelle Pickett, MD, MS
Residency: Children's Mercy Hospital; Kansas City, MO
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI

Matt Gray, MD, MS
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Milwaukee, WI

Grant Keeney, MD, MS
Residency: University of California San Diego; San Diego, CA
After Fellowship: MultiCare, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Center; Tacoma, WA

Breanne Shah, MD, MPH
Residency: University of Chicago Pediatric Residency; Chicago, IL
After Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Milwaukee, WI