“There are very few programs in the country like it,” says James Hanson, MD, the Director of Critical Care at CHRCO. “With this program, fellows have the support they really need to get the broad basis of understanding and experience to hit the ground running when they take their first job.”

Beginning July, 2006, the program will provide a maximum of 18 months of clinical training, and a minimum of 2.5 years of dedicated, focused research training. With the long-term goal of fostering academic physician-scientists who will ultimately direct original clinical or laboratory investigations, the program consists of both a Laboratory Research Track and a Clinical-Translational Research Track. Both tracks consist of combined course work and research training.

“It’s very hard for fellows to really get the strongest education needed to prepare you for clinical work, never mind finding a mentor and designing and research project,” explains Dr. Hanson. “That’s too much to ask in the standard, three-year time frame. To be able to spend a fourth year, such as this program provides, to get the extra support course work and research is fabulous.”

In addition to the excellent research opportunities at CHORI, the major resources for the Laboratory Tract include the Department of Pediatrics, the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Program in Biological Science and the Biomedical Science Graduate Programs. The major resources for the Clinical-Translational Tract include the Department of Pediatrics, the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Pediatric Clinical Research Center and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“Right now we’re just thrilled the program exists,” says Dr. Hanson. “Of course, we’re also trying to pound the pavement to get good applicants,” he adds.

Additional information on the Training in Clinical Research Program can be found here. Candidates entering the program in year one are preferred. However, candidates who wish to enter in years 2, 3, or 4 will also be considered.