Overview

The philosophy of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship program is to provide a setting in which advanced, highly skilled, adult education can take place. The faculty provides the opportunity for the fellow to not only acquire an in-depth knowledge of critical care, trauma and emergency surgery, and advanced skills in critical care and operative techniques, but also to develop both academically and professionally.

This is most effectively achieved through an integrated two-year program that includes an ACGME-approved Surgical Critical Care Residency, specialty training in the management of emergency general surgery and trauma patients, and training to enhance administrative, research, and educational skills.

We are committed to providing excellent clinical exposure, as well as directed, expert instruction, promoting self-directed education, and fostering the refinement of the fellow's scientific and academic pursuits. The educational program consists of a combination of mentorship with a graded increase in clinical, administrative, and educational responsibilities; didactic and Socratic instruction; hands-on experience; and self-education. 

The primary mission of the University of Maryland School of Medicine R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Surgical Critical Care (Year 1) and Acute Care Surgery (Year 2) Fellowships is to provide board-eligible or certified general surgeons intensive clinical and educational training to become leaders in academic surgical critical care, trauma, and emergent general surgery. Through an integrated two-year program, fellows will attain knowledge and expertise to:

1. Satisfy the six core competencies outlined by the ACGME.
2. Obtain a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care.
3. Obtain a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Acute Care Surgery.
4. Manage the most complex trauma and emergency general surgery cases.
5. Become administratively and academically successful in their careers.

The Acute Care Surgery Fellowship includes the fulfillment of all the requirements of our RRC-approved Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program. Over the course of this two-year program, fellows receive comprehensive training in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of acute surgical conditions within trauma; emergency general surgery conditions; and surgical critical care.

Upon successful completion of the Acute Care Surgery Fellowship, fellows will have:

1. Acquired an understanding of the pathophysiology of the neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, immunologic, and nutritional aspects of the management of critically ill and elective surgical patients.
2. Developed an advanced understanding of fluids and electrolytes, renal physiology, and acid-base physiology related to acute surgical problems.
3. Gained extensive knowledge regarding the utilization and constraints of monitoring equipment commonly used in the intensive care unit, operating room, and trauma bay.
4. Developed, designed, and implemented research projects.
5. Enhanced and cultivated the skills to instruct trainees (medical students/residents) and other critical care personnel.
6. Gained the technical skills required to manage complex emergency general surgery and traumatic injuries.

Each fellow will be competent in each of the core competencies outlined by the ACGME. The goal of the second year of the fellowship is to prepare the fellows to independently provide care to severely injured and critically ill emergency general surgery and trauma patients.

Program Leadership

Contact Us

Pamela Shinnick, Senior Academic Services Specialist
Acute Care Fellowship Program