Lubbock Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Advanced Training in Multidisciplinary Critical Care Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Surgical Critical Care fellowship program shall train physicians for superb practice in surgical critical care through acquisition of knowledge, technical surgical skills, clinical judgment, and the ability to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare personnel. Fellows shall supervise surgical critical care units and conduct scholarship through engagement with Trauma and Surgical ICU, Burn ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, and Anesthesia faculty.
Fellows shall receive comprehensive, in-depth exposure to multidisciplinary surgical critical care medicine.The program shall prepare the fellow to function as a qualified practitioner at the advanced level of performance expected of a Board-certified specialist. Fellow shall develop a comprehensive knowledge base and pass certifying examination sponsored by the American Board of Surgery. The Surgical Critical Care (SCC) Fellowship program shall emphasize structured self-learning, while supporting individual interests, and promote the skills necessary for life-long learning. The program shall require and encourage engagement in scholarly activity, including quality improvement projects.
Accepting Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Applications
Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC in Lubbock, TX) is presently seeking Surgical Critical Care Fellowship applicants for the academic year 2027-2028 (AY 27-28).
Our SCC Fellowship program, located in West Texas, provides an outstanding exposure to complex surgical critical care at an American College of Surgeons verified Level 1 Trauma Center and American Burn Association verified Level 1 Burn Center. Fellows shall also develop the administrative skills necessary for a leadership role in Surgical Critical Care through attending Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conference, Peer Review, and all Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) related meetings. TTUHSC and University Medical center sees over 4,500 trauma patients per year, and has a catchment area of nearly 250,000 square miles, making it the nation’s trauma center that is farthest from an adjacent Level 1 Trauma Center.
Qualifications
All required clinical education for entry into ACGME-accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME-accredited residency program, an AOA-approved residency program, a program with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada.
Prior to appointment in the program, fellows must have completed at least three clinical years in a residency program that satisfies the requirements above in general surgery.
All applicants are required to apply through the SAFAS, to participate in our interview process, as well as to participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). All documents must be received by the program via SAFAS by the SAFAS deadline each year. However, earlier application is encouraged, as we will review applications after completion, and interviews will be offered on a rolling basis. Thus, our available interview slots may fill and limit availability for later applicants.
Fellowship interviews shall be conducted virtually. An interview is an essential part
of our selection process. Upon completion of the SAFAS application, all materials
are reviewed carefully, and interview invitations are extended to selected candidates.
Exact dates and additional details shall be conferred when candidate is selected for
an interview.
Tell me about Lubbock, TX?
Lubbock, with a population of approximately 300,000, is the 10th most populous city
in Texas. Located in Northwest Texas in an area historically and geographically known
as Llano Estacado, Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
which opened as Texas Tech University School of Medicine in 1969. For more information
click about TTUHSC Lubbock.
How busy is the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery service?
University Medical center sees over 4,500 trauma patients per year and has a catchment
area of nearly 250,000 square miles, making it the nation’s trauma center that is
farthest from an adjacent Level 1 Trauma Center. The Burn Center sees over 1,000 burn
patients per year and holds one of only four American Burn Association (ABA) Level
1 verifications in Texas. Emergency General Surgery (EGS) patients are also transferred
from the catchment area described above, adding complex, high-acuity patients to the
SCC Fellow’s experience.
How much operating will I be able to do as a fellow?
Our program adheres to all ACGME requirements with respect to emphasis on surgical
critical care. That said, there are perpetual opportunities to improve operative skills
- TSICU and BICU attending critical care surgeons are responsible for cases in their
unit. These include tracheostomy (percutaneous and open), PEG or open gastrostomy
placement, and a myriad of challenging open abdomen cases for both trauma and EGS.
What is the SCC Fellow’s schedule like? How much call?
Our program follows an ACS shift model at the resident, fellow, and attending surgeon
levels. The fellow can expect to have two “golden weekends” per month (leave Friday
and not return until Monday’s shift). The shifts are 12hrs duration, and the majority
of the fellow’s shifts are day shifts for the benefits of rounding with the multidisciplinary
team. There are some opportunities to do night shifts for exposure to the types of
patients that present during that period.
At how many hospitals do the fellows rotate?
All rotations occur at University Medical Center Hospital in Lubbock, an American
College of Surgeons verified Level 1 Trauma Center, and ABA verified Level 1 Burn
Center.
Is the fellow eligible to sit for the Surgical Critical Care board certification exam?
Yes. The program is ACGME accredited, and upon successful completion of the fellowship
the SCC Fellow may sit for the yearly certification exam in September.
Which conferences might the SCC Fellow attend?
Fellows are encouraged to attend the annual Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
conference, and attendance at other trauma conferences are approved based upon acceptance
of research for podium talks or presentations.
How does your program prepare fellows for successful passage of the Surgical Critical
Care board exam?
In addition to bedside ICU rounds, education is supplemented with monthly critical
care journal club, use of SCORE for foundational knowledge and test questions, MCCKAP
review book and exam in Spring. See “Conferences and Education” tab.
Steven E. Brooks, MD, FACS
Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Surgery
Division Chief, Acute Care Surgery
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program Director
Director, Trauma Surgical ICU (TSICU)
Steven.Brooks@ttuhsc.edu
Ariel Santos, MD, MPH, FRSCS, FACS
Peter C. Canizaro Chair and Professor of Surgery
Director, Texas Tech Telemedicine Program
Ariel.Santos@ttuhsc.edu
Jayne McCauley, MD, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Trauma Medical Director
Jayne.Mccauley@ttuhsc.edu
Justin Vaughan, MD, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Justin.Vaughan@ttuhsc.edu
Desirae McKee, MD
Professor of Surgery
Associate Program Director, SCC Fellowship
Desirae.Mckee@ttuhsc.edu
Tabitha Ankers, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Tabitha.Threatt@ttuhsc.edu
Desmond Khor, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Desmond.Khor@ttuhsc.edu
Shirley Hui, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Shirley.Hui@ttuhec.edu
George John Philip, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
George.Philip@ttuhsc.edu
Alan Pang, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Alan.Pang@ttuhec.edu
Brian Schneider, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Brian.Schneider@ttuhec.edu
Got Questions?
We're here to help. Contact us if you have questions.
Kenzie Garza
Unit Manager
806.743.2912
Kenzie.Garza@ttuhsc.edu
Kennedy Hanson
Burn and Critical Care Fellowship Coordinator
Kennedy.Hanson@ttuhsc.edu