Our clinical curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip fellows with the skills and experience necessary to care for the full spectrum of acutely ill and injured children presenting to the pediatric emergency department. Clinical training is organized into four-week blocks across multiple sites within Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, including our primary hospitals — Arthur M. Blank Hospital and Hughes Spalding Hospital—as well as select rotations at Scottish Rite Hospital and Children’s-affiliated outpatient facilities. Fellows also gain valuable experience at Grady Memorial Hospital under the supervision of faculty from the Emory Department of Emergency Medicine.
A distinctive strength of our program is the rich diversity of the patient populations we serve, offering fellows exposure to a wide range of clinical presentations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural contexts. This breadth of experience enhances fellows’ clinical acumen, cultural humility, and readiness to provide compassionate, equitable care to all patients.
Year 1 Curriculum
During the first year of training, fellows build a strong foundation in the cognitive and technical skills essential for the compassionate and effective care of acutely ill and injured children. Fellows will develop proficiency in obtaining thorough patient histories, performing focused physical examinations, and formulating comprehensive management and disposition plans.
Technical skill development is a key component of the first year, with fellows gaining hands-on experience in advanced resuscitation and airway management, percutaneous central line placement, intraosseous access, splinting, and complex wound care.
All first-year fellows are expected to complete certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS).
A detailed overview of the first-year schedule is provided below:
| Topic | Block |
|---|---|
| Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) | 5 blocks |
| Anesthesia | 1 block |
| Critical Care | 1 block |
| Adult EM/Procedures | 1 block |
| Sedation/Ultrasound | 1 block |
| Toxicology | 1 block |
| Trauma | 1 block |
| Research | 1 blocks |
Year 2 Curriculum
In the second year of fellowship, trainees advance their clinical expertise by performing more complex procedures and exercising greater independence in the management of high-acuity and medically complex patients. Fellows are expected to take on expanded roles in the supervision and clinical education of medical students and residents, further developing their leadership and teaching skills.
Second-year fellows also serve as Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) instructors, reinforcing their resuscitation knowledge while contributing to the education of peers and trainees.
A significant portion of the second year is dedicated to combined research and clinical blocks, providing protected time to pursue individual scholarly projects while continuing to refine clinical judgment and procedural proficiency.
A detailed overview of the second-year schedule is provided below:
| Topic | Block |
|---|---|
| Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) | 1 block |
| Pediatric Emergency Medicine/Research | 9 blocks |
| Child Advocacy and Protection | 1 block |
| Adult Emergency Medicine/Ultrasound | 1 block |
Year 3 Curriculum
By the third year, fellows are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to manage the full spectrum of pediatric emergency presentations. In this final stage of training, fellows focus on departmental leadership by assisting with patient flow and overall emergency department operations alongside attending physicians.
Third-year fellows take a leading role in both medical and trauma resuscitations and are responsible for handling consultation calls from referring institutions. This year also includes protected time to complete scholarly projects, with flexibility to pursue clinical electives that complement ongoing academic interests.
A detailed overview of the third-year schedule is provided below:
| Topic | Block |
|---|---|
| Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) | 5 blocks |
| Critical Care | 1 block |
| Emergency Medical Service | 1 block |
| Research/ Electives | 6 blocks |
| Capstone | 1 block |