An open letter to fellowship applicants...

The Pediatric Critical Care program at Seattle Children's Hospital continues to be a leader in the practice and science of pediatric critical care, and I hope to make you aware of the training opportunities that exist here. Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center (Children's) is consistently recognized as one of the nation's leaders in pediatric care and training. Children's houses the Department of Pediatrics and associated pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties for the University Of Washington School Of Medicine. Under the direction of Dr. Jerry Zimmerman, the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine offers a wonderful opportunity for clinical and research training. In 2005, our division was selected as one of the original members of the NIH-funded Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Also in 2005, the 45-bed state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit received the SCCM Family-Centered Care Award, and the American Institute of Architecture- SCCM ICU Design Award was awarded in 2000. Located in beautiful Seattle, Children's serves the largest geographical area of any children's hospital in the country as the sole academic pediatric medical center for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI).

PCCM fellows are responsible for patient-care management and resident supervision and education in the Pediatric ICU and the Cardiac ICU, and are members of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) services. Our fellows benefit from Children's association with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, an internationally recognized leader in stem cell transplantation; pediatric BMT patients with intensive care needs are admitted to the PICU, and managed by the PCCM team. PCCM fellows are an integral part of the cardiac surgical team, providing 24 hour/day coverage of these patients under the supervision of the attending cardiac intensivists in the division of PCCM. Likewise, programs in neurological surgery, ENT, Orthopedics, and OMFS admit to the PICU and are cared for by the PCCM team. Solid organ transplant programs including liver, kidney, and heart are also active, and again, our fellows are intimately involved in the management of these complex patients.

Fellow research opportunities exist within the division and throughout the University of Washington system. A General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) exists at Children's, and the Injury Prevention Center, under the direction of Dr. Fred Rivera, is an unrivaled national leader in clinical research, epidemiology and child safety advocacy. PCCM fellows have also pursued Master's degrees in epidemiology, public health, ethics, and education.

Lastly, in 2005 Dr. Tom Hansen assumed the role of CEO for Children's and has articulated an ambitious agenda for growth that will create multiple new prospects for clinical care and scientific exploration. The future is very bright for Children's, and the opportunities for personal and professional growth are limitless.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Harris P. Baden, M.D.