Pediatric Pain Medicine

Our fellowship is one of only a handful of programs in the United States focused specifically on pediatric pain that leads to sub-board eligibility in pain medicine. We  train the next generation of pediatric pain leaders in a close-knit and supportive learning environment that challenges our fellows to become active learners and skilled teachers. Our pediatric pain fellows rotate at the Center for Pain Relief (CPR) at the UW Medical Center – Roosevelt as well as the Pain Medicine Program at Harborview Medical Center, which also includes experience with adult patients and opportunities to develop interventional skills. Although not a principal focus of the fellowship, clinical and translational research opportunities are also available to those who are interested.

Education 

Our fellowship offers a unique and rich didactic curriculum based on the ACGME pain medicine requirements. Our fellows benefit from a robust, multi-institutional, multidisciplinary didactic schedule that includes: 

• Weekly lectures specifically designed for the pediatric pain fellow.  These include discussions, hands-on interactions, and structured lectures. 
• COVID Update: We are leading a multi-institutional virtual didactic program.  
• Fellows’ Pain Lecture.

A weekly foundation didactic required for all our fellows using a flip-the-classroom teaching technique. At the beginning of the year, each fellow selects topics of interest and works with a faculty member to create an interactive and relevant didactic for the group. The presenting fellow and faculty send out reading/video material ahead of time so everyone is prepared for the discussion-based session. Learn more about the flipped classroom here. 

• Quarterly Journal/Book Club

• Weekly physical exam workshop
• Bi-annual cadaver lab
• Weekly telepain
• Weekly spine conference
• Monthly case conference

Clinical experience 

While our program is housed in the general pain medicine fellowship, pediatric pain fellows spend over 60% of their clinical time immersed in the pediatric setting with experiences focused specifically on children and adolescents. Core to the program is a year-long continuity clinic in the pediatric pain medicine ambulatory program and inpatient pain consultation service rotations. Fellows also have key rotations in pediatric regional anesthesia, pediatric neurology, pediatric rehabilitation medicine, pediatric palliative care, and child psychiatry. These experiences, combined with those available at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center, provide trainees with a strong foundation in the diagnosis, medical management, and procedural skills needed to practice pediatric pain medicine. Our program also equips fellows with the skills needed to work with an interdisciplinary team, interface with other pediatric specialists in the care of children with pain or discomfort, and advocate for enhanced prevention and treatment of pain conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. 

Electives 

We value our pain fellows’ diverse backgrounds and understand that they have unique training needs and personal goals. With that in mind, we allow fellows to choose a one-month open elective which can be split into two, two-week rotations. Recent examples of electives include: 

• Stanford University 
• British Columbia Children’s Hospital 
• Research 

Please refer to UW GME and the UW GME Summary of Benefits for Residents and Fellows for updated stipend information, insurance and retirement benefits, policies, procedures, and other available resources. 

Financial support 

Annual Stipend: The UW Pain Fellowship salary is based on the UW GME schedule and may change from year to year. 

Academic Allowance: Subject to available funding, fellows will receive $1,500 each academic year as “all inclusive” support of their general academic expenses incurred during their time of training. 

PTO and leave 

Please refer to the UW Resident and Fellow Physician Union – Northwest Contract for institutional PTO and leave allowance, and note that all leave of absence during training is subject to policies set by the American Board of Anesthesiology. 

Program Director: Gary Walco, PhD 

Program Administrator: Miranda Skillin

See a complete list of our pediatric anesthesiology and pain medicine faculty, fellows and staff.

Eligibility 

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to an ACGME-accredited program: 

• All required clinical education for entry into ACGME accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME accredited residency program, or in an RCPSC-accredited or CFPC-accredited residency program located in Canada. [CPR III.A.2.] The program must receive verification of each entering fellow’s level of competency in the required field using ACGME or CanMEDS Milestones assessments from the core residency program (CPR III.A.2). The program and the American Board of Anesthesiology does not grant exceptions to the fellowship eligibility requirements. 

• Candidates must ensure they are eligible for a Washington State provider license, are authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment and meet applicable essential abilities requirements of the program. 
• This position is open to fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, family practice physicians, and child psychiatrists. 

Visas
The Pain Medicine Fellowship Program accepts foreign national physicians who meet the eligibility and selection program requirements. Foreign nationals requiring visa sponsorship must obtain a J-1 visa sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The University of Washington generally does not provide H-1B sponsorship for fellows in its clinical training programs unless the fellow is otherwise ineligible for a J-1 visa. 

*Applicants must request consideration for an H1-B visa from programs prior to ranking. Applicants cannot be ranked or accepted into the fellowship program until the program receives approval by the GME Office and ISO/Academic HR for an H-1B visa sponsorship. 

Please see Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Eligibility & Selection Policy (PDF) for more information. 

Applications are accepted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) which is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The Pediatric Pain Medicine Fellowship program participates in the December match cycle. 

This is an NRMP track position: 

• Pain Medicine – Pediatric (1918530F2) 
  • This one position is open to a fellowship trained pediatric anesthesiologist, pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, or other pediatric specialists. If you are interested in this position, please contact our program administrator separately. 

To learn about living and training in Seattle, visit our GME’s website for Prospective Residents and Fellows.