Pediatric Surgery Selective

NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers a four-week Pediatric Surgery Selective that provides training in pediatric surgery and an understanding of the biological basis of pediatric diseases. This four-week program is offered throughout the year, with one student enrolled per session. A surgery clerkship is a prerequisite.

While enrolled in this selective, students work as members of the pediatric surgery team under the supervision of pediatric surgeons and residents and in close coordination with the Department of Pediatrics. They study the surgical aspects of caring for patients of different ages, from neonatal to teenage years, and participate in scheduled sessions with basic science faculty from the Department of Cell Biology to evaluate how developmental abnormalities result in pediatric diseases that require surgery.

Goals of the Pediatric Surgery Selective

This selective introduces students to pre- and postoperative pediatric surgical care and the management of common pediatric surgical problems and congenital abnormalities such as the following:

congenital diaphragmatic hernia
congenital lung lesions
gonadal development problems including undescended testes and inguinal hernias, meconium ileus, Hirschsprung disease, and anorectal anomalies
malrotation of the intestine
tracheoesophageal fistula

During this selective, students learn how to perform a pediatric physical exam, recognize the major disease processes in pediatric surgery, formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan for pediatric patients, calculate pediatric fluid requirements, and understand the role and function of all team members.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities on the pediatric surgery selective include daily morning rounds, assisting with progress notes on patients, being present in the OR, attending pediatric surgical and related conferences, and presenting at the end of the selective.

Didactic Program

The didactic program in the pediatric surgery selective includes weekly pediatric surgical conference, pediatric radiology conference, and pediatric oncology conference.

Method of Evaluation

Students are evaluated by attendings with input from surgical residents and basic science faculty. Students are also evaluated by the selectives director, who gives feedback on performance. An evaluation is based on the level of knowledge displayed on a daily basis, the depth of their reading, and clinical performance.