Adolescent Medicine - Fellowship

Formal Course Work: Fellows may enroll in formal courses offered by the Colorado School of Public Health. Although a short course in biostatistics is required for fellows, additional courses can be taken electively.  Colorado School of Medicine does provide some financial support for a Master of Science degree; a Master of Public Health is also available although there is no institutional support. 

Research Participation: Fellows are expected to participate in weekly section conferences, conduct, and complete one independent study that results in both presentation at a national professional meeting and in publication. Each fellow's research activities will be guided by a scholarly oversight committee of three faculty members (at least one must be from the Section of Adolescent Medicine). Fellows will also conduct a quality improvement study during their training.

The fellowship program offers various opportunities for fellows to enhance their knowledge and professional growth. Some of these activities include:

Clinical Supervision: Fellows will learn how to provide clinical supervision to medical students, residents, and other trainees. Initially, they will receive guided direction from the faculty and gradually assume full responsibility for supervising in an outpatient setting. This experience allows fellows to develop their skills in mentoring and guiding junior colleagues.

Teaching: Fellows will learn how to teach professional colleagues in small groups and lecture settings. They will have the opportunity to share their expertise and knowledge with others, contributing to the education and development of their peers. This teaching experience helps fellows refine their communication and presentation skills.

Section Conferences and Resident Didactics: Fellows are expected to actively participate in section conferences, which provide a platform for discussion and learning among the faculty and trainees. They will also contribute their insights and expertise during resident didactic sessions, enriching the educational experience for residents.

Weekly Academic Half Day: Fellows will actively participate in the weekly academic half day, which typically involves educational activities, case discussions, journal clubs, and presentations. They will contribute to the discussions and provide leadership to promote a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

Faculty Meetings: Fellows will be invited to attend Section faculty meetings, where they can actively contribute to the discussions and decision-making processes related to the fellowship program. This involvement allows fellows to gain insights into program management and administration.

Administrative Responsibilities: Fellows may be assigned administrative responsibilities, such as creating the schedule for academic half day or managing a specific programmatic component. These responsibilities provide opportunities for fellows to develop organizational and leadership skills.

Overall, the fellowship program aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience for fellows, encompassing clinical supervision, teaching, active participation in conferences and didactics, and involvement in administrative tasks. These activities contribute to the fellows' professional growth and prepare them for future leadership roles in their field.

Training schedule

First Year
60-70% Clinical Care
30-40% Research Training and Academic Development

Second Year
50% Clinical Care
50% Research Training and Academic Development

Third Year
30-40% Clinical Care
60-70% Research Training and Academic Development

Fellows take call on average once a month with evening and weekend call taken from home; call is shared with the full-time faculty

Additional Learning Opportunities:

Subspecialty Excellence in Educational Leadership & Scholarship (SEELS) Program :

• The University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics is proud to offer the Subspecialty Excellence in Educational Leadership & Scholarship (SEELS) Program for subspecialty pediatric fellows committed to an academic career in medical education.
• The SEELS program guides fellows through an 18-month program that provides research mentorship, coaching, and instruction.
• The overall  goal of SEELS is to equip these fellows with the necessary knowledge/skills/attitudes for success as future medical educators through educational scholarship and professional identity development, faculty and peer mentorship, and engaging in an educational community of practice.

Pediatric Fellowship Educational Series

This educational series has been developed by the Committee on Fellowship Education to address areas of scholarly interest common to all pediatric fellows. Nearly 100 sub-specialized physicians in training will attend 5-6 half-day seminars spread across their 3 years of fellowship.

• Attendance is mandatory and the trainee is excused from clinical responsibilities.
• In addition to providing core educational material, these sessions allow trainees in different disciplines and throughout the department to meet and interact with one another in an informal and collegial environment.
• Occurs several times per year throughout fellowship with fellows of different subspecialties

Pediatric Biostatistics for Clinicians Course:

This course is primarily intended for 2nd and 3rd year Department of Pediatrics fellows as part of the comprehensive fellowship educational program. Designed to help fellows to develop an ability to be a critical consumer of the literature and develop familiarity with many commonly used statistical methods.

• This course comprises for five  2-hour sessions
• Designed for second year fellows, but any fellow or resident an register for the course.
  

Advanced Degrees Available at CU:

Masters of Public Health

Masters of Science in Clinical Science

The Adolescent Medicine section focuses on addressing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and health disparities. We are committed to this cause and have established ourselves as leaders in the field through various initiatives, such as hospital programs, education, and research. 

Here are some key points about our work:

• Social Determinants Screening: In our Adolescent Medicine clinic, we screen all patients to identify social determinants that may impact their health. This allows us to understand the broader context of their lives and provide comprehensive care.
• Multidisciplinary Team: We have a dedicated team comprising professionals from various disciplines who collaborate to support patients and their families. This approach ensures that we address the complex needs of adolescents effectively.
• DEI Training: The entire section, including faculty, fellows, and staff, actively participates in DEI trainings. These sessions cover topics such as implicit bias, teamwork, and building a more inclusive future.
  -Toward Equity https://childrenscolorado.sharepoint.com/sites/dept/dhei/Pages/Toward-Equity.aspx

-Captains of Inclusion https://childrenscolorado.sharepoint.com/sites/dept/dhei/Pages/CaptainsOfInclusion.aspx

-External Trainings on Sexual and Reproductive Justice

• Research Focus: Our research efforts concentrate on examining the influence of social determinants on mental health, the transition of care for adolescents, and issues related to disordered eating. By exploring these areas, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the field.
• Good Trouble Award through CU Anschutz recognizes individuals who have gone beyond their role to advocate for equity and justice in healthcare and society. Our fellow, Yasaman Ahmadieh, was the inaugural trainee winner of the award.
  https://www.cuanschutz.edu/offices/diversity-equity-inclusion-community/programs-and-initiatives/good-trouble-award#:~:text=The%20Good%20Trouble%20Award%20%28named%20in%20honor%20of,equity%20and%20justice%20in%20healthcare%20and%20in%20society.

1st Year Fellows

Courtney Franceschi, MD                                                             

Medical School: State University of New York, Upstate
Residency: Rush University

Amy Williams, MD, MPH

Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada
Residency: University of Kansas, Wichita

2nd Year Fellows

Elizabeth Ann Kinsella, MD

Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Residency:  Indiana University School of Medicine/ Riley Children's Hospital

Email:  Elizabeth.Kinsella

Dear Fellowship Candidate,

The fellowship application process for our program is similar to most adolescent fellowships, which utilizes the ERAS system to apply and the NRMP system for the match. Adolescent Medicine Fellowships participate in the July application process, starting one year preceding the anticipated start date.

*Applicants can submit their application to ERAS https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/ starting July 3rd.

Fellowship programs can first view applicants on July 17th. Interviews typically occur from mid-August through early October. Rank lists are submitted by mid-late October, with NRMP (match results) occurring the second week of November. Applicants are welcome to inquire about off-cycle start dates outside the typical application and match cycle, though priority is given to the common application process.

ERAS Application Timeline

NRMP Fall Match Timeline

If you require further information about the program, please contact me anytime.

Sincerely,