COMBAT Fellow Program

The COMBAT Fellow Program will create an environment of critical inquiry where-in developing physician scientists can form the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully conduct research. The goal of the program is to build a community of researchers interested in and capable of conducting research that aligns to the Center for COMBAT Research focus areas. The center will provide the educational structure for effective research, and access to Department of Defense (DoD) researchers and associated research opportunities.

The COMBAT Fellow Program will:

• Provide exposure to DoD research opportunities, grants, requirements, and structure
• Cultivate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully conduct research
• Facilitate networking with military and CU Anschutz principal investigators and researchers
• Support multi- and interdisciplinary research to address military practice and/or outcomes prioritized by CU Anschutz Center for COMBAT Research and UCHealth leadership
• Promote a research-friendly environment focused on developing scientific knowledge and data-driven clinical solutions
• Support submission of at least one manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed military or civilian journal
• Support travel and presentation at a national conference (generally Military Health Sciences Research Symposium, MHSRS)
  

A COMBAT fellow is expected to complete and submit at least one manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed military or civilian journal.  The goal is to complete this by the end of the second year of the fellow’s program. COMBAT fellows interested in ongoing research will be eligible for selection as senior fellows. Senior COMBAT fellows will establish a longitudinal mentorship relationship with one of our scholars (meeting quarterly) or provide at least one scholar with an opportunity to earn authorship on a COMBAT Fellow Program project.

Other Fellow Expectations: 

• Highly engaged member of the Center for COMBAT Research team with an eagerness to work collaboratively
• Communicate with the senior fellow about project status and barriers to project progression
• Attend at least one COMBAT-sponsored educational event annually (e.g., Trauma Talk, Journal Club, sponsored lecture) 
• Complete an entrance and exit interview, as well as annual feedback and evaluation processes
• Demonstrate integrity, tenacity, and a strong drive to part of something larger than oneself
  

By the end of their time in the COMBAT Fellow Program, a COMBAT fellow will be able to:

• Critically review and analyze literature 
• Identify innovative solutions, think creatively, and act decisively in a dynamic environment
• Effectively and efficiently communicate key takeaways from their research
• Use the scientific method to test a hypothesis in clinical or translational research
  

A team-based mentorship approach will be implemented to assist the fellow in successful completion of the study/project. The team may consist of CU Anschutz Center for COMBAT Research members, COMBAT Executive Committee members, experienced COMBAT fellows, CU Anschutz leaders, principal investigators, or U.S. military stakeholders. 

The Director, Deputy Director and Associate Director of the Center for COMBAT Research will provide oversight for the COMBAT Fellow Program. Additionally, the Center for COMBAT Research Associate Director and Program Manager will collect annual feedback from each Fellow within the CU COMBAT Fellow Program, provide annual developmental feedback, issue an annual letter to the Fellow’s academic program for inclusion in their academic file, and assess program needs through entrance and exit interviews. 

Eligibility

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There are three paths for inclusion in the COMBAT Fellow Program.

1. Prior COMBAT scholars who matriculate into CU-associated ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs
2. Any resident or fellow who is currently active duty or on military-service deferment in a CU-associated ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship program in a combat relevant specialty (e.g. emergency medicine, anesthesiology, critical care, surgery, etc).
3. Civilian applicants in a CU-associated ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs at CU  or CU-associated programs (e.g. Denver Health or Saint Joseph’s Hospital)

The eligibility criteria for the COMBAT Fellow Program are:

• Current or selected trainees in ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs; practice interest in emergency medicine, anesthesiology, or surgery preferred
• Strong interest in military healthcare or a military background
• Meets or exceeds clinical performance appraisal in the last review period
• Access to a computer with video/audio capabilities and Microsoft Office Suite software/equivalent
• Agrees to, completes, and submits the COMBAT Fellow Program Commitment Agreement

Application Guidelines

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Each spring, the COMBAT Center will open an application process for prospective COMBAT fellows for the upcoming year. The application portal will open after the completion of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The application process will consist of the submission of demographics, prior experience, a curriculum vitae, a short essay about the applicant’s research interests and desire for involvement in the program, and a letter of recommendation. 

The recommendation of individuals known-to or involved-with the CU COMBAT Center will be considered.  Prior research experience will be considered but is not required for entry as a fellow.  Notably, the quantity of fellow applications that are accepted annually will vary, but at least one opening will exist each year for an active duty or civilian resident or fellow above any graduating scholars who are accepted into the program.

Application Screening

A team-based approach will be implemented to screen applications for the CU COMBAT Fellow Program during each application cycle. Applications will be scored based upon the following attributes:

• Expressed and displayed interest in COMBAT-related research
• Expressed and indicated time-investment in COMBAT-related activities
• Current evaluation and standing in their program of education
• Prior research interest and publications, if any
• Recommendations of research collaborators, mentors, or current CU faculty

Once applications are screened, interviews will occur for selected applicant(s). Interviews will consist of standardized questions to create an equitable process of inclusion, with at least two interviewers per applicant. Scores from each interviewer will be based upon the interview and application combined.

When applicants are offered an interview to the CU COMBAT Fellow Program, the Director of the COMBAT Fellow pPogram will notify the Residency or Fellowship Program Director of COMBAT’s intent to interview the applicant. If a Residency or Fellowship Program Director wishes for a resident/fellow to remain uninvolved in the COMBAT Fellow Program, COMBAT will withdrawal further consideration of that applicant.

Offers of Acceptance

Final determination of the number of applicants accepted will be based upon the quality of the applications submitted, types of applicants who applied, and current needs/capacity of the program.  Offers of inclusion in the CU Fellow Program will require acceptance of the terms of the fellow agreement.  Offers will be made within 15 working days of the completion of all interviews.