Fellow Research
The Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine strives to promote excellence not only in clinical care but also in academic research. Ongoing projects include basic science, translational, clinical, and quality improvement projects, and two current faculty members operate NIH-funded laboratories. In addition, our division is involved in several multicenter trials including the ADAPT, SPROUT, and THAPCA studies. Our fellows participate in cutting edge research under the mentorship of senior faculty members at the the University of Tennessee Health science Center and the St. Jude Children's Research
The primary goal for fellow research is to match the fellow's clinical interests with the mentor and resources. To facilitate achievement of this goal, Dr. Andy Schwingshackl, Associate Program Director for Research, will contact and work closely with the incoming fellow in the final months of their residency training. This allows for early identification of mentorship and project so that the fellow is then able to commence her project immediately upon starting the fellowship in July.
Once the primary goal of identifying appropriate mentorship has been achieved, the focus shifts to the development of research skills and research productivity. The participating fellow will be mentored to develop grant writing skills by authoring grant proposals for local funding and to develop presentation skills by presenting their work at Pediatric Research Day and at international conferences. Finally, the careful oversight and mentorship will prepare the fellow to author and publish a first author publication.
Overall, the well-organized and highly structured research program, along with careful attention to and selection of research mentorship, results in a highly successful and productive research experience that caters well to individuals interested in becoming successful leaders in pediatric critical care medicine.