Curriculum and Research

To provide the highest quality of training, the fellow rotates through the general surgical ICU, trauma ICU, and burn ICU. These core rotations represent 8 months of the of the first year. In each unit, the fellow is responsible for leading rounds with the resident or APP and attending, and assisting the resident or nurse practitioner with any procedure if necessary.

The fellows will rotate on several elective services during their first year including ultrasound and palliative care. They will be able to choose from a variety of electives such as burn, pediatric trauma/pediatric ICU, neurocritical care, and medical intensive care.

During the first year of fellowship, each fellow takes 2 overnight trauma calls per week. If the fellow is not on call, they do not come in over the weekend. The fellows are provided time off for preparation and completion of the General Surgery Qualifying exam, Certifying exam, and presentation of any potential research. Time off for vacations and special events are provided with advanced notice given.

During the second year of fellowship, the fellows integrate into the clinical call schedule with the faculty (average 4 night calls per month). The fellows will be assigned ICU, Shock trauma/trauma consults, and floor clinical duties similar to the attending schedule. The fellows will participate in vascular, transplant procurement, and cardiothoracic electives during their second year to augment their training. The fellows will also have the option to participate in a pre-hospital elective if they choose.

Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU)

The TICU is a 22-bed unit that accommodates the most critically-injured patients in the hospital. A PGY-3 categorical general surgery resident and APP provide 24-hour coverage of the patients in this unit. The TICU is located on the first floor of the trauma center and has direct access to both the Critical Care Assessment (CCA) and the trauma operating rooms.

General Intensive Care Unit (GICU)

The GICU consists of 18 ICU beds that are shared amongst the Surgical Critical Care (SCC) team and the Medical ICU (MICU) team. The SCC team will admit critical trauma and emergency general surgery patients to these units and consult on surgical oncology and vascular patients. A categorical or preliminary general surgery intern and APP provide 24-hour coverage of the surgical patients in these units.

Trauma Stepdown Unit (TSDU)

The TSDU is a 14-bed unit that provides an intermediate level of care for trauma patients between the ICU and the surgical/trauma ward. All the patients in this unit are admitted to the trauma service. Nurse practitioners provide 24- hour coverage of the patients in this unit.

Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU)

The BICU is an 8-bed unit that provides care for critically injured burn patients. The ICU care is provided by surgical intensivists or pulmonary critical care. The burn care is provided by plastic surgeons. APPs provide 24- hour coverage of the patients in this unit.

Each incoming fellow will be encouraged to take on scholarly activity (i.e. original research, drafting of review paper or text chapter) early in the year, and will meet regularly with the PD to track progress. Completion of this project is not required for graduation. The Surgical Care Fellowship Program follows all ACGME and UT GME Policies and Procedures.