Inpatient Advanced Practitioner Fellowship
Our annual open forum/Q&A Session will be held virtually at 6pm MST on Thursday, January 14th, 2027. Zoom link to be added at a later date.
Overview
This is a unique one-year fellowship program that is dedicated to enhancing the development of early-career Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who wish to pursue a career in pediatric hospital-based medicine. Fellows will be exposed to all facets of pediatric inpatient care including rotations in hospital medicine, critical care, pulmonology, hematology, cardiology, oncology and elective specialty rotations. Fellows will be practicing clinically but also have protected time reserved for educational and professional development activities throughout the fellowship.
As fully credentialed members of the Medical Staff, Fellows will care for pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado with mentorship and oversight from experienced Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and specialty physicians. As members of the University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics faculty, Fellows in this program will also have unique access to educational and research opportunities.
Fully dedicated to caring for kids at all stages of growth, Children's Hospital Colorado is the region's largest pediatric healthcare network and the only dedicated Level 1 trauma center in our seven state region. We are home to over 400 APPs across all disciplines and care settings.
Mission - Through personalized education and mentorship, equip Advanced Practice Providers with the specialized knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in a pediatric inpatient medicine career.
Ideal Candidates
This Fellowship is designed for APPs who have a strong desire to practice in an academic inpatient pediatric setting. This program is designed for APPs who:
- Wish to have additional inpatient pediatrics training, enabling a smooth and immediate transition into their inpatient pediatric career.
- Understands that he or she wishes to work in inpatient pediatrics, but has not identified a specific specialty.
- Wishes to work in a specific specialty, but has insufficient experience or training within that specialty to be competitive for a position.
- Candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.
2027/2028 cohort applications have opened. Please apply online: Here.
Application Documents
- Cover Letter
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a professional reference)
- 3-5 professional references
Key Dates
- Start dates: January 1, October 1
- Application Deadline: February 28
- Screening interviews: Late February/March
- Interviews: March 25, 2027, April 7, 2027
- Offers: May
Physician Assistant Eligibility/Requirements
- Graduation from an APAP (ARC-PA) approved Physician Assistant Training Program.
- Certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
- Colorado license will be required prior to start date.
- BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Eligibility/Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited BSN program.
- APN licensure and a Masters from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certificate or other comparable certification.
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification.
- Ability to obtain Prescriptive Authority in the State of Colorado.
- BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date.
Clinical Rotations
- Core: Hospital Medicine (3 months), Pediatric Critical Care (3 months), Cardiology (1 month), Pulmonology (1 month), Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant (1 month).
- Electives (1 month each) can include Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Neurology, but can be adapted to meet the fellow’s needs, which could involve more time in the section they will be hired into.
Didactic
- Dedicated APP Fellowship Lecture Series
- Patient Simulations
- Grand rounds
- Clinical Conferences
- M&M
- Radiology conferences
Competencies
- Competency-based monthly and semi-annual performance evaluations
- Pre- and post-fellowship clinical knowledge exam
Professional Development
- Opportunities to present at national conferences
- Engagement in a tailored communication development series
- Longitudinal mentorship from APPs and physician colleagues
- Ability to participate in in hospital wide Advanced Practice Grand Rounds and Advanced Practice Council initiatives
Capstone Project
Each fellow will be required to complete a capstone project with the help of a physician or APP mentor. The goal of the project is to introduce and involve the APP in a quality or process improvement initiative, development of a clinical care guideline, or educational initiative. At the end of the year, the fellow will be asked to present his or her work in a conference or poster session.
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
Including didactic and clinical application for vascular access, lung, and cardiac with clinical skills exam and interpretation competency evaluation.
Hours/Work Schedule
This is an intensive program in which Fellows can expect to commit an average of 50 hours per week including required night and weekend shifts. Vacations, holiday schedule and time off will be discussed with final candidates.
Salary and Benefits
Fellows will be hired as University of Colorado, Department of Pediatric faculty at the Instructor Fellow rank. As Faculty, Fellows will be offered a stipend along with full medical, dental and vision insurance. Detailed information can be found at CU Faculty Benefits.
Cameron Gunville, DO, MEd
Co-Medical Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric
Critical Care
Dr. Gunville has served as the Medical Director for the PICU Advanced Practice Team since 2012 and has helped to oversee the program’s expansion to 20 providers during this time. He has a broad education interest and earned his Master’s Degree in Education in 2002 from the University of Notre Dame, and has completed the University of Colorado Teaching Scholar’s Program. With his background in education, in 2012 he helped develop a comprehensive eight-month PICU orientation program for new PICU APPs. With the resources at CHCO, one of the premier children’s hospitals in the country, Dr. Gunville is excited to help develop motivated APPs into excellent pediatric providers of the future.
Jason Zamkoff, MD, FAAP
Co-Medical Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric Hospital
Medicine
Dr. Jason Zamkoff is currently a Pediatric Hospitalist at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO), and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM). Dr. Zamkoff received his medical degree
at The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in 2001. Prior to such he was the recipient of an Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 1995-1997.
Dr. Zamkoff completed his Pediatric Residency and Chief Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 2005, where he remained adjunct faculty in addition to the Assistant Program Director and Transport Director of Pediatric Hospital
Medicine at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). In 2010 he took his position as a Pediatric Hospitalist at CHCO in Denver, Colorado. He is currently a Target Zero Safety Coach at this institution, with the premise being to eliminate
preventable harm, as well as the Medical Director of the newly formed Surgical Co-Management Team that rolled out in September of 2022. Dr. Zamkoff has a formal teaching position with first year medical students in the CUSOM, and he has chaired a
nationally recognized annual Pediatric Hospital Medicine Conference since 2006.
Erika Jekich, PA-C
Co-Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric Critical Care
Mrs. Jekich is a Senior Instructor and the Orientation Coordinator for the Pediatric Critical Care Section at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She currently coordinates a comprehensive orientation program for new APPs in the PICU which includes a robust clinical and didactic phase. Her work focuses on APP enrichment and effective integration of APPs with varying experience levels into the critical care team.
Jolie Eirich, CPNP-AC/PC
Co-Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Mrs. Eirich is Director of Hospital Medicine Advanced Practice Program for CHCO. Her work has focused on building orientation, education, and training programs to support transition to practice for and increase utilization of advanced practice providers in hospital medicine.
Lauren Griffin, PA-C
Co-Associate Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Mrs. Griffin is an Instructor and the APP Education and Orientation Director for the Pediatric Critical Care Section at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She manages the orientation program for new APPs in the PICU, coordinates ongoing APP education and professional development. Her work also includes POCUS integration and education in the PICU. She is a graduate APP Fellow 2019-2020.
Morgan McMahon, PA-C
Co-Associate Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Advanced Practice Inpatient Fellowship
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Ms. McMahon is an Instructor at the University of Colorado and a Pediatric Hospitalist PA at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She completed her medical training at Stanford University with a concentration in Healthcare Administration and Leadership. Thereafter, she completed the CHCO Inpatient Advance Practitioner Fellowship at CHCO and is dedicated to ensuring future fellows also have the rewarding and impactful experience that she had. Outside of her clinical time, she is also involved in the Teaching Excellence Amongst Medical Providers (TEAMS) program, APP student education, and other leadership development opportunities. As a first generation college student, Morgan also takes an interest in mentoring and advocating for students from diverse backgrounds. Outside of work, you can find Morgan routinely exploring the Rocky Mountains with her husband, toddler, and her perfect dog.
 | Abby Goldman, PA-C Abby is a physician assistant who graduated with her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Emory University. Originally from Massachusetts, Abby completed her undergraduate at University of Vermont where she worked as a personal care assistant for a young boy with autism and then as a medical assistant in a family medicine clinic. These experiences sparked her passion for pediatrics and advocating for children and their families. During PA school, Abby completed elective rotations in pediatric cardiology and pediatric hospital medicine, where she continued to foster her interest in caring for medically complex children and working on a multidisciplinary team. Abby is passionate about contributing to PA education and mentorship.Outside of work, Abby has embraced her time living in Colorado. She enjoys hiking, skiing, running, reading, and playing ultimate frisbee. She has loved exploring the different parks around Denver with her new puppy and is looking forward to hiking and camping with him this summer. Abby is excited to be joining the fellowship and looks forward to growing as a clinician. |
 | Ashlee Huff, PA-C Ashlee is a new graduate Physician Assistant from the University of Colorado. Originally from Florida, she graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Health Disparities in Society before moving to Colorado in 2022. Ashlee has had the unique opportunity to work in Children’s Hospital Colorado in several capacities since then- she worked first as a Clinical Assistant in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders prior to PA school where she discovered her passion for pediatric inpatient medicine. She has also completed multiple rotations as a PA student at Children’s including bone marrow transplant, critical care, and cardiology as a part of the Pediatric Critical and Acute Care track at her program. She is so excited to continue her education and training at a hospital she holds near and dear to her heart.In her free time, Ashlee enjoys running, playing pickleball, browsing local antique and thrift shops, spending time with friends and family, and taking long walks in the sunshine with her husband, Ryan, and dog, Silvie. |
 | Lauren Jesse, PA-C Lauren is a new graduate Physician Assistant from Dominican University of California with a passion for pediatric acute care. She completed elective rotations in Pediatric General Surgery and the PICU and is especially drawn to equitable, family-centered pediatric medicine. Before PA school, Lauren worked as a physical therapy technician and medical scribe. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Biology from UC Davis, where she was an NCAA Division I diver. When she's not in the hospital, you'll find her hiking, doing CrossFit, cooking, or spending time with friends and family. |
 | Mikayla Herron, PA-C Mikayla Herron is a new graduate PA. Originally from Massachusetts, she completed her undergraduate studies at Boston College before gaining clinical experience in pediatrics and on an inpatient thoracic stepdown unit. Both of these experiences
sparked her love for caring for medically complex patients and working closely within multidisciplinary teams. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Duke University in North Carolina, where she completed elective
rotations in the PICU and pediatric general surgery. Her clinical interests include inpatient pediatric care, public health, and medical education, and she hopes to incorporate teaching into her career down the line. |
 | Rachel Ohrenschall, CPNP-AC Rachel is a new graduate primary care and acute care certified pediatric nurse practitioner who graduated with her DNP from Oregon Health & Science University in 2025. She is excited and grateful to continue to deepen her skills and grow her practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner through the APP fellowship. Her prior roles in healthcare have included 6 years of pediatric nursing experience in pediatric intermediate care, work as a research assistant and as an EMT. Rachel chose to pursue a path as a nurse practitioner after serving in the US Peace Corps as a health education volunteer in Burkina Faso (2016-2017), and receiving her bachelor's in biochemistry from the University of Washington. Rachel enjoys running, biking, cross country skiing, making delicious plant-based food, reading, and snuggling with her cat Luna. |
2026-2027
- Jenna Ehnle, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pulmonary Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Lauren Jesse, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2025-2026
- Tucker Buffington, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children's Hospital Colorado
- Claire Brennan, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Colorado & Children's Hospital Colorado
- Hillary Oneslager, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children's Hospital Colorado
- Christina Santosa, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children's Hospital Colorado
2024-2025
- Megan Landess, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Summer Pellechio, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Jenna Turner, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2023-2024
- Bo Kim, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Nicole Newman, PA-C accepted a position in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Claire Smith, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Elizabeth Vigil, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2021-2022
- Katie Ganser, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Chelsea Hartman, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pulmonary Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Davis Lehman, PA-C accepted a position in Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Morgan McMahon, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2020-2021
- Brenna McGinn, CPNP-AC accepted a position in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Karlie Nau, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2019-2020
- Lauren Rodgers, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Kara Stefaniak, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Cardiology, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
2018-2019
- Cathryn Senour, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Kristen Stendel, PA-C accepted a position in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado & Children’s Hospital Colorado
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]. Please allow 48-72 hours for a response.