Program Overview 

The Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children encompasses the broad educational curriculum and clinical training required in the field of Pediatric Surgery.

The two-year clinical program provides exposure to an expansive variety of surgical procedures in children, including a high volume of neonatal and minimally invasive surgical cases. Our fellow receives extensive experience in the management of complex congenital malformations as well as routine pediatric surgical conditions. These include abdominal/retroperitoneal and non-cardiac thoracic surgical problems, tumors, infections, head and neck masses, endoscopy, and urologic procedures. The program includes significant exposure in the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (NICU and PICU), with a one-month rotation in each unit.

St. Christopher’s is a designated Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and has an active ECMO program. Fellows attend office hours in the surgery clinic to master the skills and knowledge required to care for outpatients including preoperative evaluation and postoperative care. A unique opportunity to spend some time at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children exists with the ability to learn exposure techniques for spinal surgeries, adding significant thoracic and diaphragm experience.

Fellows lead a team that manages all patients in the Pediatric Surgery Service (including in the NICU, PICU, and medical-surgical units) with supervision by attending surgeons dedicated to mentorship and evidence-based optimal care. Scholarly activity and education are highly valued, with a broad curriculum covering the full scope of pediatric surgery.

  • Average total number of cases performed by graduating fellows over the past five years: 1,137
  • Board passage rate (last 10 years): 100%

Faculty Members

  • Harsh Grewal, MD

    Harsh Grewal, MD

    Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics; Director of Trauma Services Chief, Section of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Alana L Beres, MD

    Alana L Beres, MD

    Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics; Fellowship Program Director; Director, Medical Student Clerkships and Rotating General Surgery Residents
  • Connie J Rossini, MD

    Connie J Rossini, MD

    Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics; Surgical Director, Regional Fetal Evaluation Center. Surgical Director, Intestinal Rehabilitation Program, Surgical Director of ECMO

Training Site #1

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

  • Percentage of time at this location: 95%
  • Number of beds: 189

Training Site #2

Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia PA

  • Percentage of time at this location: ~5%
  • Training Site Type: Sub-Specialty Children’s Hospital
  • Opportunity to learn exposure techniques for complex spinal surgeries
Video: Pediatric Surgery Fellowship

Video: Pediatric Surgery Fellowship

Interview with Dr. Rajeev Prasad, Section Chief and Fellowship Director

Video: Welcome to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Video: Welcome to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

A virtual tour of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.

Application Requirements

Prerequisites:

  • Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy
  • Completion of chief residency in an ACGME or equivalent approved general surgery residency
  • Eligibility to take qualifying examination in General Surgery
  • Advanced Trauma Life Support Certification
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
  • Current Pennsylvania state medical license

Candidates applying to the Pediatric Surgery Match must be registered with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and can submit their application and related application documents through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

The following materials are required to complete your application:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement
  • Minimum of three letters of recommendation
  • USMLE Score Report
  • ABSITE Score Report

Application Deadline

See ERAS website.

Conference Schedule

Weekly - Every Thursday 8 to 11 a.m.

  • M&M/Journal Club/SRP 8 - 9
  • SCORE 9 - 10
  • Mock orals 10 - 11

Monthly 

  • GI/Surgery conference
  • Tumor Board

Quarterly - NICU/Surgery conference

Meeting/Training Course policy

Policy in place for meetings where research is presented and for educational meetings. This program does not provide financial support for candidate interviews.

Contact

Kimberly Abrams, Program Coordinator, 
Department of Surgery
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
​160 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: 215-427-8812
Fax: 215-427-4616
Kimberly.Abrams@towerhealth.org