Structured to provide the PA trainee with a solid foundation of fundamental knowledge in which to develop and hone clinical acumen in the care of the surgical pediatric patient. The didactic curriculum includes live lectures every Thursday at noon with vast, encompassing topics in physiology and pathophysiology, surgery, critical care management and the advanced surgical techniques associated with the treatment of department-specific disease processes to name a few. This is followed by a didactic sessions that could include simulations, cadaver labs, suture workshops, educational trainings, testing, and feedback. PA trainees will also attend Department of Surgery grand rounds, surgical case conferences and other conferences organized by the Department of Surgery or the PA surgical training programs.
Clinical Curriculum
Developed to work in concert with the didactic portion, the clinical curriculum features strategically formulated OR days, outpatient clinic, and inpatient exposure. The PA trainee will be expected to perform daily rounds, thoroughly examine patients, present patients articulately and accurately, formulate and implement the plan of care, perform therapeutic procedures, and participate and become proficient in all aspects of care of the surgical patient. The goal is to foster and instruct the PA trainee so that they develop proficient clinical skills in the pre-, peri-, and post-operative care of the surgical patient. As required by state law, all clinical activities of the PA trainee will be supervised by instructors.
PA Trainees rotate through the following core rotations:
Plastic Surgery
Hand and Micro surgery
Otolaryngology
Neurosurgery
General Surgery
Orthopedics
Trauma
Transplant
Congenital Heart Surgery
Main Campus Surgical Hospitalist
West Campus Surgical Hospitalist
Woodlands Surgical Hospitalist
Urology
In each rotation, PA Trainees will be given a list of skills and number of cases they should complete prior to finishing the rotation.
Please see criteria for completion of graduation for additional didactic requirements needed of PA trainees.
