About the Program

The Pediatric Surgical Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa is a highly competitive program that prepares our fellows to become excellent pediatric surgeons. Fellows work closely with pediatric surgery faculty as well as a multidisciplinary team of physicians to gain an understanding of the pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management of surgical problems in infants and children. 

Fellows train in the following areas:

  • Neonatal and pediatric critical care 
  • ECMO
  • General pediatric surgery 
  • Cancer surgery
  • Trauma surgery
  • Neonatal surgery
  • Gastrointestinal surgery
  • Thoracic surgery

Our fellowship is a two-year ACGME accredited clinical program that recruits a new fellow every other year through the NRMP match. Having only one fellow at a time allows the fellow to lead the pediatric surgical service from the onset. Fellows obtain extensive operative experience and provide comprehensive perioperative care.

Upon completion of the training program, fellows will be competent pediatric surgeons, who have demonstrated mastery of the six competencies set forth by the Accreditation Council of Medical Education and are qualified for certification in Pediatric Surgery by the American Board of Surgery.  

Facilities

Building exteriorThe University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is a free-standing children’s hospital located on the University of Iowa medical campus and adjacent to the rest of the campus. It is connected to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and the Carver College of Medicine. 

As the only quaternary referral center in the state and region, our fellows are exposed to diverse and complex cases. 

All fellowship training occurs in the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, so no travel is required for our fellows. 

Our team

About the program surgeonsOur team includes surgical residents, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and is led by pediatric surgery faculty. Faculty are responsible for training and supporting the fellows throughout the fellowship experience.

Quick facts

  • More than 170 pediatric physicians and surgeons
  • More than 200 pediatric physicians, surgeons, and dentists
  • UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital cared for 83,937 children last year from all 99 Iowa counties, 45 states, and 20 other countries
  • 190 pediatric beds

Patient stories

Hear about some of the great work our surgeons are doing for children.

Clinical Rotations

Dr. Carlisle in the Bettendorf Clinic

During the two-year curriculum fellows have designated rotations in the following specialties:

  • NICU
  • PICU
  • Otolaryngology
  • Urology

Education

Operating room

Our fellowship is a two-year ACGME accredited clinical program that recruits a new fellow every other year through the NRMP match. Having only one fellow at a time allows the fellow to lead the pediatric surgical service from the onset.

Fellows work with our diverse group of faculty as well as our multi-disciplinary team to gain expertise in the preoperative, operative, and post- operative care of infants and children.

As the only academic referral center for children in the state of Iowa and in the region, we see a wide range of operative pathology and care for highly complex patients. Upon completion of the training program, fellows are competent pediatric surgeons, who have demonstrated mastery of the six competencies set forth by the Accreditation Council of Medical Education and are qualified for certification in Pediatric Surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

In addition to their clinical responsibilities, our fellows also lead our didactic pediatric surgery and multidisciplinary conferences. Additionally, they participate in hospital wide quality improvement projects and research activities within the Division of Pediatric Surgery. 

Each fellow will have the opportunity to attend the following courses and conferences.

Courses

  • Pediatric oncology course
  • Pediatric advanced minimally invasive surgery course 
  • Anorectal malformation course 
  • ECMO training course

National conferences

Pediatric Surgery Daily/Monthly Schedule