Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia
This fellowship provides the opportunity to train in one of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive pediatric cardiac programs at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, home to the country’s second-largest pediatric cardiac surgical program and more than 400 cardiopulmonary bypass cases each year. Fellows gain extensive experience across the full spectrum of congenital and acquired heart disease, from single-ventricle palliation to mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation. Training extends beyond the cardiac operating room to the pediatric cardiac ICU, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories, VAD service and echocardiography, providing a truly multidisciplinary experience. With close faculty supervision transitioning to graded independence, dedicated teaching, and opportunities for research, quality improvement and academic presentation, the fellowship is designed to prepare graduates for independent practice in complex pediatric cardiac anesthesia.
Background and relevant clinical educational exposures
The University of Alberta Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia fellowship may be completed via two streams; a 6-month fellowship that focuses on essentials of pediatric cardiac anesthesia, or a one-year clinical fellowship that includes rotations in complimentary disciplines. Both streams will take place at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, both located at the University of Alberta Hospital campus. The Stollery Children’s Hospital hosts the second-largest pediatric cardiac surgical program in Canada, with over 400 cardiopulmonary bypass cases per year. Fellows will learn and practice perioperative care for pediatric patients with congenital or acquired heart disease coming for a full scope of cardiac surgical procedures from single-ventricle palliation to ventricular-assist-device placement and transplant. They will also be providing care in the interventional cardiology suite, electrophysiology lab, pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, as well as in the general operating room and out-of-OR for cardiac children undergoing non-cardiac procedures.
Program Structure
The academic year is divided in 13 four-week blocks. The choice of two streams is available for applicants: a condensed 6-month program or a classic one-year fellowship Fellows of either stream will spend the first three periods in the pediatric cardiac operating room under direct supervision to acquire basic skills and knowledge. Fellows undertaking the 6-month stream will be spending an additional three periods in the cardiac OR, as well as one period in the pediatric cardiac ICU (PCICU). Furthermore, following a classic one-year fellowship, the fellow will undergo two periods in the catheterization / electrophysiology laboratories, a two-to-four-week rotation on ventricular-assist device (VAD) service, as well as two-to-four-week rotation in the echocardiography lab. The program includes space for independent work in the general pediatric OR, catheterization laboratory and non-clinical work for completion of a scholarly project. As the fellow progresses, they will be granted increasing independence in the care of cardiac children.
Pre-requisites
The applicant must have completed a pediatric anesthesia fellowship or five years of pediatric anesthesia practice.