This January, the Department of Surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital celebrated the first graduating class of pediatric surgery physician assistant fellows. The Pediatric Surgery Fellowship for Physician Assistants is the first of its kind in the country, offering a 12-month didactic and clinical training program specifically for pediatric surgery. Fellows accepted into the program gain hands-on experience in a full spectrum of pediatric surgical subspecialties and train to become strong leaders in all areas of pediatric surgery.<\/p>\n
Four fellows graduated from the inaugural 2014 class and six new students were welcomed into the 2015 class in what the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs has called an “innovative fellowship program.”<\/p>\n
Throughout the fellowship, physician assistants acquire hands-on training in surgical subspecialties including cardiovascular surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, otolaryngology, plastic and craniofacial surgery, trauma services and urology in addition to one month of basic laboratory research. Following the rotation, each fellow chooses two electives to focus on during his or her remaining two months in the program.<\/p>\n
“Learning and improving our skills has allowed us to become better clinicians and deliver world class care to our wonderful patient population and their families. We were able to bring together multiple specialties to educate one another while diversifying our education. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to helping the next class of fellows in their endeavors,” said Cassandra Mueller PA-C, Texas Children’s Hospital.<\/p>\n
The Department of Surgery received 55 applications for the 2015 term, with 27 of those from outside Texas.<\/p>\n
The program is led by Dr. Larry Hollier, chief of plastic surgery, Ryan Krasnosky, PA-C, fellowship program director and assistant director of APP surgical services, Kristen Daniels, PA-C, fellowship academic director and Jordan McAndrews, fellowship coordinator.<\/p>\n