Emergency Medicine Fellowship
Program Overview
The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program at the ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, in affiliation with (TJU), trains physicians in advanced skills in pediatric emergency medicine.
While the program emphasizes clinical skills, you’ll also receive comprehensive training in related areas — including research and teaching, as well as a thorough grounding in the practical and academic topics that surround emergency care for children.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Diversity is the richness of human differences. It is one of the foundational supports in Thomas Jefferson University’s Blueprint for Strategic Action, and is incorporated into the behaviors that sustain our core values. Inclusion is the active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity. At Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) at Thomas Jefferson University, we promote and cultivate an inclusive environment that embraces and celebrates the diversity of our people. SKMC believes that a diverse and inclusive environment is key to achieving excellence in our missions of patient care, education and research. We believe that our mission and values will create and nurture the physicians who provide compassionate and culturally-sensitive care to the diverse patient population that they serve.
- Curriculum
- Research & Publications
- Salary & Benefits
- Location & Living
- Faculty & Participants
Our Fellowship Program
With an emphasis on the care of acutely ill and injured children, the program‘s objective is to yield competent physicians who are capable of teaching pediatric emergency medicine, conducting high-quality research (a requirement for board certification in pediatric emergency medicine) and demonstrating responsible administrative skills.
Physicians in the program also learn about medical and legal issues, health care finances, hospital organizational structures, quality assurance, personnel management, patient services and child advocacy issues.
Rotations
Fellow Curriculum and Rotations
First year curriculum and rotations
- Pediatric emergency medicine (20 weeks)
- Anesthesia (4 weeks/longitudinal)
- Fellows may spend time in the operating room 2-3 times per month after their initial rotation to practice airway managementÌý
- Critical care (4 weeks)
- Toxicology (4 weeks)
- Trauma (4 weeks)
- Research (8 weeks)
- EMS (2 weeks)
- Ultrasound (2 weeks)
- Vacation (4 weeks)
Second year curriculum and rotations
- Pediatric emergency medicine (20 weeks)
- General emergency medicine (8 weeks)
- Research (16 weeks)
- Electives (2 weeks)
- Vacation (4 weeks)
- Ultrasound (2 weeks)
Third year curriculum and rotations
Clinical time spent in the emergency department is in the role as the attending physician.
- Pediatric emergency medicine (20 weeks)
- Research (24 weeks)
- Electives/Administration (4 weeks)
- Vacation (4 weeks)
Conference Schedule
Weekly
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) – Friday morning resident conference
- General Emergency Medicine and Simulation – Thursday/Friday (CCHS)
Bi-monthly
- PEM Fellow lecture series
- PEM business meeting
Monthly
- ED Acuity conference
- ED M&M conference
- ED Ultrasound conference
- Trauma conference
- PEM Fellow board review
- PEM Fellow research conference and journal club
- PEM Fellow mock code
Annually
- PEM Fellow procedure day
- PEM Fellow skills course (first year)
- PEM Fellow retreat
- Fellows may also choose to attend the annual AAP National PEM Fellows’ Conference and/or BASE camp (put on by Cornell Medical College)
Electives
Electives in the program include, but are not limited to:
- Plastic Surgery
- Pediatric sports medicine
- Cast clinic
- Palliative care
- ³§¾±³¾³Ü±ô²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý
- Sedation service
- Kidshealth, ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ
- Ultrasound
- Child Advocacy Center, ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ
- Burn Center, Crozer Medical Center
- Critical Care Transport Team, ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ
- Administration and Quality Improvement, ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ
- Emergency Ophthalmology, Will’s Eye
- International Medicine. Prior fellows have spent rotations in Togo, Rwanda and Haiti.
Teaching Activities for Fellows
The Division of Emergency Medicine at ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers many teaching activities to help fellowship participants derive the most knowledge from the program.
These include:
- Weekly resident didactic lectures
- Evidence-based medicine journal club
- Case management, procedure and acuity conferences
- Mock codes
- Monthly fellows’ seminars
- Chapter review
- Monthly divisional research meetings
Fellows are encouraged to become PALS instructors during fellowship. As third years, fellow are also invited to participate as lecturers and instructors for the multiple CME emergency medicine based conferences put on by the hospitals.
The Emergency Medicine Division
The Division of Emergency Medicine, part of the hospital's Department of Pediatrics, is staffed with board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians who supervise the Emergency Department (ED) 24 hours a day. In addition, pediatric, family and emergency medicine residents from various programs rotate through the unit. Our 5-zone, 42-bed ED is a 911-trauma level 1 facility that logs approximately 60,000 visits annually, exposing physicians to a wide scope of pediatric emergencies.
In addition to providing faculty for the emergency medicine fellowship, the division plays an active role in teaching residents and medical students and is an award-winning teaching division, as voted upon by the residents. Medical students from Sidney Kimmel Medical College rotate through the hospital for their pediatric training, in addition to an emergency medicine rotation.
Research Opportunities for Fellows
Early in the first year, emergency medicine fellows will participate in an education and research training course, along with other subspecialty pediatric fellows. This course provides training in biostatistics, study design, clinical and laboratory research methodology, preparation of IRB protocols, abstract and manuscript writing and ethical principles related to clinical research. Additional training is provided by the fellowship director during monthly research lectures. As part of PECARN (Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network), fellows at ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ are also exposed to large multicenter research studies sponsored by the network. Prior fellows have also completed MPH degrees during their 3 year fellowship. Many current and former fellows have successfully advanced their projects to presentations at national meetings and publications.
Examples of fellow research projects include:
Poster and Platform Presentations
- Hegamyer E. Treatment of Sepsis in Medically Complex Children Seen in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2020; Philadelphia, PA (conference canceled due to SARS-COVID 19 pandemic).
- Kazmierczak M. Outcomes of patients discharged from the pediatric emergency department with abnormal vital signs. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2020; Philadelphia, PA (conference canceled due to SARS-COVID 19 pandemic).
- Riverso M. Identification of retinal hemorrhage on magnetic resonance imaging compared to dilated fundoscopic examination among suspected child abuse victims. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2020; Philadelphia, PA (conference canceled due to SARS-COVID 19 pandemic).
- Kieffer J. Comparison of Paper and Electronic Medical Record for Trauma Activations in a Pediatric Trauma Center.Ìý Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2019; Philadelphia, PA.
- Fong K. Impact of Early Insulin Administration on Critically Ill Patients in Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Annual Meeting 2019; Las Vegas, NV.Ìý
- Fong K.ÌýQuality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Door-to-Insulin Time for Diabetics in the Pediatric Emergency Department.Ìý Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2019; Philadelphia, PA.
- Kusulas M.ÌýAre “Traumatic Taps†Truly Traumatic? Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2016; Baltimore, Md.
- Smith N.ÌýIdeal Observation Time after Racemic Epinephrine in the Pediatric Emergency Department for Those with Croup.Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2016; Baltimore, Md.
- Kelly S.ÌýThe Effect of Subsidized Malaria Testing on Provider Treatment Patterns at a Togolese Mission Hospital. Pediatrics Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2016; Baltimore, Md.
- Kusulas M.ÌýThe Effect of Team Care Plan Meetings on Resident Education in the Emergency Department. The Eastern Society for Pediatric Research Annual Meeting 2015; Philadelphia, Pa.
- Savage JS.ÌýDoes the Role of a Rapid Triage Provider Improve Pain Control in an Academic Pediatric Emergency Department? Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2015; San Diego, Calif.
- Baghdassarian A.ÌýPediatric Emergency Care: Knowledge Assessment of Pre-Hospital Emergency Physicians in Yerevan, Armenia. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2013; Washington, D.C.
- Rogers BD.ÌýCorrelation Between Unexpected Return Visits to a Pediatric Emergency Department and the Office Hours and Scheduling Times of the Primary Care Provider. American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting 2012; New Orleans.
- Sandelich S.ÌýA Clinical Decision Support System Improves the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Victims of Sexual Abuse. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2017; San Franciso, Calif.
- Mayo M.ÌýImpact of Rapid Serum Lyme Testing on the Management of Monoarticular Arthritis in the Pediatric Emergency Department. ÌýPediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2017; San Francisco, Calif.
- Fugok K.ÌýThe effect of telemedicine on resource utilization and hospital disposition in critically ill pediatric transport patients. Society of Critical Care Medicine's Annual Congress 2016; Orlando, Fla.
- Kennedy T.ÌýThe Utility of Peripheral White Blood Cell Count for Non-Diagnostic Ultrasound and Non-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies in Suspected Pediatric Appendicitis. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2018; Toronto, Canada.
- Kennedy T.ÌýPediatric Heatstroke Fatalities Caused By Being Left In Motor Vehicles. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2018; Toronto, Canada.
- Bergamo D. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Anxiolysis or Sedation for Facial Laceration Repair in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2023; Washington, DC.
- Hammett D. Electrocardiogram Abnormalities in Children With Lyme Arthritis. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2023; Washington, DC.
- Hammett D. IPASS Handoff Note in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting 2023; Washington, DC.
Publications
- Kazmierczak M, Thompson AD, DePiero AD, Selbst SM. Outcomes of patients discharged from the pediatric emergency department with abnormal vital signs. Am J Emerg Med 2022;57:76-80.
- Kieffer JC, Thompson A, Elwell S, DePiero A. Comparison of paper and electronic documentation for trauma activations in a pediatric trauma center. Am J Emerg Med 2021;50:719-723.
- Hegamyer E, Thompson A, Smith N, Depiero A. Treatment of suspected sepsis and septic shock in children with chronic disease seen in the pediatric emergency department. Am J Emergency Medicine 2021;44:56-61.
- Cully M, Thompson AD, Depiero AD. Is lactic acidosis predictive of outcomes in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis?Ìý Am J Emerg Med 2020;38:329-332.
- Meghpara, M, Bender, B, Attia, M. A Unique Presentation of a Critically Ill Infant Secondary to Covid-19. Medical Society of Delaware. May 2020.
- Cully M, Treut M, Thompson A, Depiero A. Exhaled end-tidal carbon dioxide as a predictor of lactate and pediatric sepsis. Am J Emerg Med 2020; 38:2620-2624.
- Cully M. Spontaneous brain arteriovenous malformation rupture with atrioventricular block in a pediatric patient. Am J Emerg Med 2020;38:409.
- Cully M, Attia M. Young Child With Dyspnea and Vomiting. Ann Emerg Med 2020;76:680-694.
- Kazmierczak M, Albahri A, Mull C. A Call to Restore Your Calling: Self-care of the Emergency Physician in the Face of Life-Changing Stress. Part 6 of 6: Trainee Burnout. Ped Emerg Care 2020;36:257-261.
- Hammett DL, Kennedy TM, Selbst SM, et al.Ìý Pediatric heatstroke fatalities caused by being left in motor vehicles.Ìý Ped Emerg Care 2020: Epub ahead of print.Ìý
- Kennedy T, Thompson AD, Choudhary A, Caplan R, Schenker K, Depiero A. Utility of applying white blood cell cutoffs to non-diagnostic MRI and ultrasound studies for suspected pediatric appendicitis. Am J Emerg Med 2019;37:1723-1738.
- Fugok K, Slamon NB.ÌýThe effect of telemedicine on resource utilization and hospital disposition in critically ill pediatric transport patients. Telemedicine and e-Health 2018;24(5).
- Smith N, Giordano K, Thompson AD, et al.ÌýFailure of Outpatient Management with Different Observation Times After Racemic Epinephrine for Croup. Clin Peds 2018;57:706-710.
- Kusulas M, Eutsler EP, Depiero AD.ÌýBedside ultrasound for the evaluation of epidural hematoma after infant lumbar puncture. Pediatric Emergency Care 2018; Epub ahead of print
- Savage J.ÌýAn Unusual Case of Limp in a Toddler. Ann of Emerg Med 2016;67:296-306.
- McLean L, Elwell S, DePiero A.ÌýAssessment of the electronic medical record in documenting trauma resuscitations in the pediatric ED. Am Journal Emerg Med 2015;33:589-590.
- Giordano K, Rodriguez E, Green N, Armani M, Richards J, Shaffer TH, Attia, M.ÌýPulmonary Function Tests in Emergency Department Pediatric Patients with Acute Wheezing/Asthma Exacerbation. Pulmonary Medicine 2012.
- Green NA, Durani Y, Brecher D, DePiero A, Loiselle J, Attia, M.ÌýEmergency Severity Index Version 4 – A Valid and Reliable Tool in Pediatric Emergency Department Triage. Ped Emerg Care 2012;28:753-757.
- Zomorrodi A, Bennett JE, Attia MW, Loiselle J, Rogers KJ, Kruse R.ÌýConsistency of Emergency Department and Orthopedic Physicians’ Diagnosis and Treatment of Distal Fibular Salter Harris I Fractures. Ped Emerg Care 2010;27:301-303.
- Durani Y, Brecher D, Loiselle J, Walmesly D, Attia MW.ÌýThe Emergency Severity Index (Version IV): Reliability in Pediatric Patients. Ped Emerg Care 2009;25:504-507.
- Patel PB, Diaz MC, Bennett JE, Attia MW.ÌýBacterial Conjunctivitis in Children. Acad Emerg Med 2007;14:1-5.
- Pitone ML, Attia MW.ÌýPattern of Injury Associated with Routine Childhood Falls Children. Ped Emerg Care 2006;22:430-435.
Salary & Benefits
Salary
- PGY1: $74,080.69
- PGY2: $77,042.97
- PGY3: $80,125.76
- PGY 4: $83,331.12
- PGY 5: $86,663.17
- PGY 6: $90,130.15
- PGY 7: $93,735.15
- PGY 8: $97,485.38
An additional $2,000 is available to fellows for CME and scholarly activity. Additional travel stipends are available for scholarly presentations upon Department approval.
Optional moonlighting at the discretion of the fellowship director is allowed starting in the first year of fellowship.
Time Off
4 weeks of paid vacation time per year
Benefits
- Office space with personal computer, online access and secretarial support
- Standard benefits including malpractice, life and disability insurance
- 6 weeks paid parental leave
- Paid short-term disability insurance
- Financial support for required courses (PALS, ATLS, ACLS)
- Financial support for licensing
- Free on-site gym
- Subsidized on-site child care center
Training at ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ in Delaware Valley
ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, sits on a scenic, 300-acre estate in Wilmington’s Brandywine Valley. It’s the largest pediatric training site in our system, big enough to offer nearly every specialty, yet close-knit enough that faculty know their learners well. From the start, you’ll notice a culture built on collaboration, mentorship, and curiosity.
Hospital & Training Environment
Most of your training takes place at our children’s hospital in Wilmington, a nationally recognized destination for complex pediatric care. It’s the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and home to a Level IV NICU, so you’ll see the full range of high-acuity cases. Families come from across the region, giving you exposure to diverse conditions and hands-on learning in a true referral hub. Take a video tour of the hospital now.Ìý
Along with ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ, you may also spend time at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and other partner hospitals. These rotations bring variety in community pediatrics, rehabilitation care, and patient populations you won’t see every day in Wilmington.Ìý
Living in Wilmington & Delaware Valley
Wilmington is easy to settle into. It’s affordable, manageable in size, and just a short train ride from Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are also close by. Need fresh air? The Brandywine Valley has trails, rivers, and historic gardens. Want more energy? Philly has food, arts, and sports at a world-class level. Here, you get the best of both worlds.Ìý
Research Opportunities
Research is part of daily life here. Some trainees work in the lab, others join clinical trials, and many focus on quality improvement. Supported by faculty mentors and dedicated resources, trainees may also present at national meetings or publish in peer-reviewed journals.Ìý
Resident & Fellow Life
Training here isn’t only about rotations and research. It’s also about having the space and support to enjoy the journey.
Community & CultureÌý|ÌýColleagues quickly become friends. Alumni talk about the camaraderie, the sense that you’re part of something bigger, and the ease of finding mentors who genuinely care.
Wellness & Support |ÌýWellness is built into the experience. From apps and peer networks to professional counseling, resources are there when you need them. There's also a free 24/7 gym on campus and regular wellness programming.
Everyday Perks |ÌýFree parking. Meals at noon conference. On-site child care center. Call rooms and quiet spaces when you need rest. These make a difference in the rhythm of daily training.
Train With Recognized Leaders
If you’re looking for a rewarding program built on academic excellence and family-centered care, ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children's offers outstanding medical, surgical, pharmacy, nursing, therapy and psychology programs. Train with faculty who are respected leaders in their fields, a patient care model that stands apart and access to groundbreaking research.Ìý
Apply Today
Application Requirements
Accepting Applications: July 2 through September 1, 2025
Training Begins: July 1, 2026
A completed application consists of the following:
1.Ìý
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Personal statementÌýdescribing the development of your career plan and your specific interests and goals in pediatric emergency medicine.
4.ÌýCurrent passport-sized photograph
5.ÌýThree letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the program director of your residency program.Ìý
6. Original scores of USME
7.ÌýOriginal medical school transcript
Questions About Applying?
Debbie Campbell
Program Coordinator
(302) 651-4296
debbie.campbell@nemours.org
Debbie Hammett, DO
Associate Fellowship Director
(302) 651-4296
deborah.hammett@nemours.org
Jillian Savage, DO
Program Director
(302) 651-4296
jillian.savage@nemours.org