Burn & Wound Fellowship Lubbock

Program Overview

The Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center at University Medical Center is a nationally and internationally recognized burn and wound care unit with a reputation for excellent outcomes and cutting-edge research and treatment. With approximately 700 burn admissions, 200 complex wound admissions, and 2,600 outpatient visits each year, this is an excellent opportunity for those seeking to develop expertise in the management of burns and complex wounds.

This fellowship will provide the participant with medical knowledge and experience in managing the critically ill burn patient, performing all types of burn surgery, treating other acute skin loss conditions and complex wound management including reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects. Collaboration with experts in plastic surgical reconstruction, head and neck surgery, wound care, and hyperbaric therapy will allow for a well-rounded experience. Finally, the participant will have the opportunity to participate in both clinical and basic science research aimed at developing cutting edge techniques for managing burn patients and will attend the annual American Burn Association meetings.

This fellowship is approved by the Graduate Medical Education Committee at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas and the Texas Medical Board. The fellowship is under the umbrella of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and run within the Department of Surgery, Divisions of Burn and Wound. All major changes to the fellowship are made by the program director in consultation and cooperation with the Associate Dean for Medical Education and the Graduate Medical Education Committee of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

OVERALL EDUCATIONAL GOALS

At the end of the fellowship, the successful fellow will be able to competently manage any burn victim, take care of major acute and chronic wounds and have understanding of how to run a burn/wound unit and conduct research within the field.

Management of Burn and Skin Loss Diseases

The fellow will be proficient in initial resuscitation and high level intensive care needed in the severely burned patient population. The fellow will be familiar with the highest level technology used in modern day intensive care. The fellow will be technically adept in managing burn patients from acute management, intermediate excision and grafting and management of chronic burn healing issues. The fellow will have strong knowledge and experience in managing patients with non thermal related skin loss issues such as chemical burns, Steven Johnson’s syndrome and other skin related diseases requiring burn and wound unit admission and care. He or she will gain valuable experience in special anatomic areas of burn and skin loss such as face, hand and genital involvement.

Chronic Wound Management

The fellow will gain strong experience in outpatient management and after care of this patient population. The fellow will have full understanding of the medical management of these wounds including nutrition, blood flow, infection, diabetes and other reasons for non or slow healing wounds. The fellow will gain valuable exposure to advanced medical treatment of these wounds including new drugs used for local treatment, advanced dressing methods and cleaning of the wounds, negative pressure wound management, hyperbaric oxygen and other means of medical treatment. The fellow will become proficient in surgical management of these wounds including advanced debridement, skin grafts, various flap covering of these wounds including advanced flaps, complex tissue flaps and free flaps. The fellow will have good knowledge of skin and wound anatomy, pathophysiology and the processes involved with skin grafts and wound healing. At the end of the fellowship, the successful fellow will be able to competently manage chronic and complex wounds. The fellow will gain strong experience in management of acute and chronic wounds including those related to complex deep tissue infections, arterial venous compromise, tissue loss due to trauma, and non-healing wounds due to other causes.

Administration Experience

The fellow will gain insight and experience into how a burn and wound care unit operates including administrative structure, national verifications, relationship with institutional and hospital officials and leadership needed to successfully run such a unit.

The fellow will be introduced to appropriate billing and coding for this patient population. The fellow will get full understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary care and will gain experience in running multidisciplinary meetings and creating protocols for other disciplines involved in the care of these patients.

The fellow will be introduced to the medical/legal issues associated with this patient population.

Research and Practice Improvement Participation

The fellow will participate in advanced research both clinical and bench and will be taught how to navigate the medical literature and how to conduct research in this area. The fellow will learn how to present research projects in the form of abstracts, posters or presentations.

The fellow will have full knowledge of the most commonly used national and local guidelines, protocols and other best practices. The fellow will participate in practice improvement projects resulting in new protocols, standing orders or treatment algorithms.

Admissions Requirements

How to Apply

Applicants must have completed an approved General Surgery or Plastic Surgery residency, or have completed a minimum of two years in good standing in an accredited General Surgery or Plastic Surgery residency.  If interested, please email your CV and contact information to Kennedy Hanson.

Applications are accepted from September 1st through May 1st, for the academic year to follow.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates for a fellowship position include graduates of accredited medical and osteopathic schools in the United States as well as a graduates of medical schools outside of the United States who have valid ECFMG certification or have completed a Fifth Pathway program in an LCME accredited medical school. Candidates for our program should have completed or be completing an approved General Surgery or Plastic Surgery residency and be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Applications from candidates with different qualifications will be evaluated on an individual basis. Candidates must meet all requirements set forth by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center policies and procedures for Graduate Medical Education.

All applicants must submit the following:

• Updated curriculum vitae
• Personal Statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• USMLE Step 1/2/3 scores
• ECFMG certificate (if indicated)
• Medical school transcript
• Confirmation of Residency Training
• In-Training Exam Scores
• Valid certification in ACLS, ATLS and ABLS
• All applicants must be eligible for a full unrestricted Texas medical license.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates for our program must have completed or be completing an approved General Surgery or Plastic Surgery residency and be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Applications from candidates with different qualifications such as having only completed a portion of a general/plastic surgery residency (completion of PGY 2 year, minimum) will be accepted on an individual basis.

Selection Process

The Fellowship Director will review every application and will then select candidates for interviews.

Selection is solely made on academic qualifications based on; residency performance, medical school performance, standardized examination scores, recommendation letters, personal statement, research experience and publications.

Interviews take place between February and March. Interviews last one day and each applicant is interviewed by 2 faculty members, key burn center personnel and the Fellowship Director. Written evaluations are filled out by each interviewer.

A meeting is held by the attendings at the end of the last interview and all of the applicants are discussed. During that meeting, the group comes to a consensus on a preferred list for hiring.

Appointments

After the applicant has been chosen through the above processes and further verification through the Graduate Medical Education office that he/she has met all institutional requirements, the applicants will be sent a contract for signature and is expected to sign and return this in a timely manner.

Appointment is made for a one year term, beginning July 1st until June 30th.