Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship

Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) as a specialty was developed to improve and ensure the quality of patient care, teaching, and research in this new field of pediatric medicine. The authors discuss reasons for choosing a career in PEM. PEM certification requires the completion of a 3-year fellowship for pediatric residency graduates and 2-year fellowship for emergency medicine residency graduates. There are currently 81 PEM fellowship programs in the United States, with 199 first-year positions offered in the 2019 match. Paramount to the PEM application process is building your curriculum vitae, often accomplished by seeking out educational opportunities, getting involved in research and quality improvement opportunities, and participating in committees while demonstrating leadership. The final steps to a well-rounded PEM fellowship application include a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Remember to reach out to your mentors regularly to help guide you along your pathway to PEM success.