Surgical Critical Care/Trauma and Emergency Surgery Fellowship

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA / UCLA Medical Center

Surgical Critical Care/Trauma and Emergency Surgery Fellowship

• Fellowship Program Director:  Catherine Juillard, MD, MPH
• Associate Program Director: David Machado-Aranda, MD
• Fellowship Program Coordinator:   Yazmin Lona

Mission:  To train future surgical intensivists in the management of complex critically ill patients, support trainees in surgical research with professional development aimed at eventual investigator independence, and prepare academic surgeons to take leadership roles in surgical critical care administration and training.  Our vision is to cultivate a cadre of advanced physician leaders who are prepared to provide uncompromising care to the most critically ill and injured and who are dedicated to the advancement of the field of surgical critical care.

The overall goal of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is to provide the fellows with a strong academic foundation for the successful practice of surgical critical care (SCC), trauma, and acute care surgery (ACS). Upon completion of the program, the Surgical Critical Care Fellow will demonstrate the ability to manage the care of complex, critically ill surgical patients.

Program Overview: The Department of Surgery at UCLA is proud to offer a two-year fellowship position in surgical critical care, trauma, and acute care surgery (ACS) annually. This 2-year fellowship program provides trainees with an intensive experience in Surgical Critical Care during the first year, with an additional year focused on trauma and emergency general surgery, with protected research time. The program is primarily based out of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and will feature rotations to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center’s surgical ICU and trauma services.

The Fellowship will be divided into two 12-month training programs:

1. The first SCC Fellowship year is a 12-month ACGME approved Fellowship.
2. The second Trauma on Acute Care Surgery (ACS) year is a 12-month non-accredited Fellowship focused on surgical management of trauma and emergency surgery patients with protected time for research and professional development.

Fellow Responsibilities: In addition to a rich clinical experience, ample research opportunities exist. As a major training site for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, fellows are also expected to actively participate in the education of both medical students and residents. Leadership opportunities and administrative experience are also encouraged through active participation in ongoing patient safety and quality improvement projects, as well as hospital committee efforts. Fellows will be encouraged to attend at least one national meeting each year and will have support to complete both ASSET and ATLS Instructor training during their fellowship.

Curriculum Description:

First Year: The ACGME accredited Surgical Critical Care Year will feature rotations at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center (SICU, Liver ICU, CT ICU, ECMO, and Trauma/ACS services) and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (SICU and Trauma/ACS Rotations)

Second Year:  The second year is a non-ACGME accredited year dedicated to the surgical management of trauma and emergency general surgery, featuring rotations on the Trauma/ACS services at RR-UCLA and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, with at least 3 months of dedicated protected research time.

Prerequisite Training/Selection Criteria

The applicant must have attained skills in the science and practice of surgery. Only fully trained board eligible/certified surgeons who will have completed an ACGME General Surgery Residency Program by the beginning of the fellowship will be considered. Please refer to the NRMP website for details regarding the SCC fellowship application process. Applicants with J1 visas are eligible.

Timeline and Dates 

Invitations for interviews will be sent in late June each year.

Interviews take place in July and August.

Please contact Fellowship Program Coordinator Yazmin Lona(Link sends email) for further information.

Phone: 310-206-2567

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through the SAFAS portal(Link is external). All Applicants must participate in the MATCH.

For any questions please email the Program Coordinator: Yazmin Lona(Link sends email) or call at 310-206-2567.

We require all applicants to register with the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae
• USMLE scores
• ABSITE scores
• 3 letters of reference, (1 letter from the Surgery Program Director or the Chairman)
• Dean's letter
• Medical school transcript