UCI/CHOC Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship Program
Contact Us
UCI-CHOC Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship Program
1201 W. La Veta Ave.
Orange, CA 92868
Office (714) 509-3751
Program Leadership
Britanny Winckler, MD, MBA
Fellowship Director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Amanda Schafenacker, MD
Associate Fellowship Director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Sameer Pathare, MD
Division Chief, Hospitalist Division
Stephanie Dela Bretoniere
Fellowship Coordinator
Welcome! The University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), part of Rady Children’s Health, have partnered to create an exceptional two-year Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) Fellowship that develops the next generation of leaders in pediatric hospital medicine.
Our ACGME-accredited program cultivates both clinical experts and academic innovators who provide exceptional care to hospitalized children while advancing the field through quality improvement, research, advocacy, and medical education.
What distinguishes our program is our commitment to individualized training – recognizing that each fellow brings unique talents and career aspirations, we provide a structured yet flexible curriculum with dedicated scholarly time and personalized electives, empowering you to pursue your passions and achieve your professional goals.
Who should apply?
The UCI-CHOC PHM Fellowship is looking for passionate, dedicated, and inquisitive pediatricians from diverse backgrounds who are interested in expanding and growing their clinical skill for which hospitalists are uniquely situated such as quality improvement, patient safety, medical education, and advocacy.
The UCI School of Medicine and the UCI Graduate Medical Education Committee’s mission is to establish an inclusive culture and diverse workforce to promote excellence in medical education, research, and patient-centered care. We strive to have representation, which reflects our diverse community, with different race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, veteran status, disability, and socio-economic identities in the general workforce, as well as in leadership roles.
We are committed to equity in the recruitment and retention of residents, fellows, faculty and senior administrative staff. We aim to:
- Promote diversity among our residents and fellows in our ACGME-accredited training programs to better reflect our Southern California community.
- Mentor and retain more residents and fellows of diverse backgrounds as UC Irvine faculty, thus establishing a more diverse workforce and supporting their career pathways towards leadership roles in academic medicine.
U.S. citizens, permanent residents and J1 VISA applicants are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
We are participating in the NRMP Pediatric Specialties Fall Match. Please see website for applicable match deadlines. We will be using ERAS to collect application documents and to schedule interviews on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held virtually this year in September and October with an opportunity for an in-person second look for interested applicants.
Required application materials include:
- Personal statement (3 short-answer essays as noted in ERAS) describing career goals, scholarly interests, and unique experiences that highlight how a PHM fellowship will help you achieve your career objectives.
- Current curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation, with one preferable from the residency program director or current clinical supervisor for those who have finished residency
Please contact our fellowship coordinator, Stephanie Dela Bretoniere, with questions at [email protected]
Program Overview
Join our ACGME-accredited two-year fellowship designed to develop the next generation of academic leaders in pediatric hospital medicine. Our innovative curriculum balances clinical excellence, scholarly achievement, and personalized career development through eight months each of: advanced clinical service, scholarly activity and research and individualized curriculum.
Clinical Excellence
Immerse yourself in varied clinical settings that build expertise and confidence. Our clinical rotations blend attending-only service with resident teaching opportunities, preparing you for both independent practice and academic leadership.
Diversity
- CHOC Orange (main academic center)
- CHOC at Mission (community site)
- Providence St. Joseph (newborn nursery)
Innovation
- Vascular Access Team – Master advanced procedures and techniques
- Critical Care Transport – Fly in our medical helicopter that provides life-saving care
- Eating Disorder Medical Stabilization – Specialized multidisciplinary care for this vulnerable population
- Surgical Co-Management – Collaborative perioperative care expertise
- Artificial Intelligence – Shape the future of PHM
- And many more tailored to your interests
Scholarly Activity & Academic Development
We’re committed to developing well-rounded academic hospitalists. Eight months of protected scholarly time allows you to pursue your primary academic project while exploring additional critical roles.
Dedicated Research Time
- Research – Clinical and translational investigations
- Quality Improvement & Patient Safety – Systems-based practice enhancement
- Medical Education – Teaching innovation and curriculum development
- Advocacy – Championing child health at local and national levels
Mentorship and Support
- Our experienced faculty provide individualized mentorship to help you succeed in your chosen academic domain
Personalized Career Development
The individualized curriculum adapts to your unique interests and career aspirations so you can customize your training.
Advanced Skills & Clinical Certificates
- Point-of-care ultrasound
- Procedural sedation
- Additional subspecialty clinical time
Non-Clinical Leadership Development
- Infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship
- Medical education and advocacy pathways
- Healthcare leadership and administration training
- Quality and safety certification
Work-Life Balance Matters
- No call responsibilities outside assigned clinical blocks – allowing you to focus on scholarship, professional development, and personal well-being during non-clinical time
What Makes UCI-CHOC Distinctive?
Performance Excellence Program (PEP)
- All first-year fellows complete this intensive Quality Improvement immersion featuring:
- Deep dive into QI methodology and implementation science
- One-on-one coaching
- Hands-on project management from conception to sustainability
- Foundation for systems-based improvement throughout your career
Eating Disorder Medical Stabilization Program
- At CHOC at Mission, we operate a dedicated specialized unit for medically complex eating disorder patients – a rare and invaluable training opportunity.
- What You’ll Gain:
- Required exposure and optional elective during community rotations
- Expertise in multidisciplinary team-based care
- Understanding of medical stabilization protocols for this high-risk population
Complex Care Elective
- Round in our ICU step-down unit, managing high-acuity patients
- Experience our acute and subacute rehabilitation center
- Participate in the innovative Adolescent to Adult Bridge (A2B) Clinic
- Navigate complex care transitions from pediatric to adult systems
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
- Develop skills essential for coordinating care for vulnerable populations
Leadership & Business Administration Rotation
- Prepare for leadership roles with comprehensive training in healthcare management and administration
- Learn about core competencies:
- Division leadership and strategy
- Conflict resolution, team management
- Healthcare finance and operations
- Introductory MBA-level topics
- Exclusive Shadowing Opportunities: CEO, CMO, Department Chair, Division Chief, Educational Leadership Team
Program Curriculum
| Curriculum | First Year | Second Year |
|---|---|---|
| CHOC Inpatient Wards (attending-only or resident team) | 4 weeks | 6 weeks |
| CHOC at Mission Inpatient Wards (attending only, community hospital) | 4 weeks | — |
| Palliative Care & Pain Management | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Newborn/Neonatal Medicine | 2 weeks | — |
| Sedation | 2 weeks | — |
| Scholarly Activity | 12 weeks | 20 weeks |
| Individualized Curriculum | 16 weeks | 16 weeks |
Fellowship Opportunities and Perks
Research
Each fellow conducts a mentored scholarly project with dedicated faculty supervision and eight months of protected research time distributed across the two-year program. Fellows select a Scholarly Oversight Committee to guide project design and progress, producing a scholarly work product that meets American Board of Pediatrics requirements by program completion.
Fellows will participate in the Fellows Core Curriculum – comprehensive training in essential research and quality improvement skills:
- Research Bootcamp – Biostatistics, methodology, study design, and research ethics
- Evidence-Based Medicine – Critical literature review and evidence synthesis
- Professional Development – Grant preparation and manuscript writing
- Quality Improvement – Intensive certification course (RCH Performance Excellence Program)
There are also additional educational opportunities offered through UCI course enrollment.
Conferences and Teaching
Teaching
Receive and lead myriad educational opportunities through didactics, conferences, committee membership, and experiential learning:
- Hospital medicine core teaching conferences
- Fellows core curriculum
- Hospitalist research and quality improvement committee
- Medical & Neurology morbidity and mortality
- Hospitalist journal club
- Additional hospital-wide committee membership (e.g. Infection Prevention, Evidence Based Medicine, Medicine-Nutrition Safety, etc).
Conferences
- Attend at least one national or regional conference per year (eg. PAS, PHM, AAP, APPD etc).
- Present their research at CHOC Research Day and at national and regional conferences.
Benefits
✓ Four weeks paid vacation per year
✓ Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for fellows and eligible dependents (institution paid)
✓ Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
✓ DEA Licensure fee exemption
✓ Professional license renewal reimbursement
✓ Board examination fee reimbursement
✓ Annual education/CME stipend
✓ Annual book fund stipend
✓ Housing allowance
✓ BLS/PALS renewal reimbursement
Our Hospitals
For More virtual tours of CHOC: choc.org/about/virtual-tour
CHOC serves over two million children across four counties and is dedicated to the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows.
CHOC Hospital, Orange
- 334-bed freestanding children’s hospital in Orange, California
- Regional referral center
- Level I trauma center
- The only freestanding children’s hospital in the county
- 7,000 medical/surgical unit admissions per year
- Provides fellows with a broad range of clinical exposure
CHOC at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo
- Hospital-within-a-hospital at RCH at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California
- Community-based
- Eating Disorder Medical Stabilization unit
Providence St. Joseph Hospital, Orange
- Delivery and newborn hospitalist experience,
- Adult community hospital with over 4,000 births per year
Clinical Faculty
Clinical Faculty
Britanny Winckler – MD, MBA
Program Director
Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Amanda Schafenacker – MD
Associate Program Director
Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Sameer Pathare – MD
President and Hospitalist Division Chief, Pediatric Subspecialty Faculty
Professor, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Learn more about our PHM division and faculty here.
Current Research and QI Projects
- Bronchiolitis follow-up (National I-DECIDE study)
- Improving screening and referral for social determinants of health
- Machine learning and SDoH in the readmission risk screening tool
- Reducing barriers to resident feedback via faculty development
- Geographic trends of RSV
- Inpatient vaccination trends
- Hospital acquired blood stream infections
- Development of fellowship competencies for Business of Medicine
- Implementation of “Field Notes” style feedback for Resident Night Shift
- And much more!
Current Fellows
Sean Dornbush, DO, MBA
Class of 2026
Residency: University of TN Health Science Center
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Research Topic: Care of Young Adults in Pediatric vs. Adult Hospitals
QI Project: Improving Reporting of Cultures from Outside Hospitals
Channing Greenburg, DO
Class of 2027
Residency: Cottage Children’s Medical Center
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Research Topic: Association of Discharge CK Levels in Rhabdomyolysis/Myositis with Readmission
QI Project: Reducing Painful Procedures
Graduates
Brianna Leyden, MD
Class of 2025
Director of Professional Formation, Development & Advancement, UCI/CHOC Pediatrics Residency Program; Assistant Professor, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Research/QI: Resident Comfort with Advance Care Planning, Opioid-Induced Constipation Management, Hidden Economic Burden of Measles Exposure Events, Febrile Neutropenia in Immunocompetent Patients, Influenza Vaccine Trends in High-Risk Populations, PHM Fellowship Advocacy Curriculum Needs Assessment
Presentations/Publications: Oral Presentations at PAS, California Immunization Coalition Summit; Poster Presentations at ID Week, Updates in Hospital Pediatrics, CHOC Research Day (and recipient of Best Trainee Poster 2024)
Community Organizations: Medical Staff, Camp Kesem UCLA; Board of Directors, Rx Ballroom Dance; Board Member and Early Career Representative, AAP CA Chapter 4 (and recipient of Young Physician of the Year AAP-OC 2026)
“PHM fellowship at CHOC gave me the opportunity to explore so many things I had either never seen or only briefly touched upon – and now I’ve found multiple passion projects for life. I am a stronger hospitalist and better doctor overall because of my in-depth experiences here in advocacy, community organization involvement, leadership development, medical education and coaching, and research and QI (both in and outside the hospitalist division). The mentors I’ve met here have inspired me to always push myself to grow, and I hope to continue that energy for my trainees in the future!”
Harrison Lowder, MD, MBA
Class of 2024
Assistant Professor, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Research/QI: Respiratory Support and Patient Weight in Bronchiolitis; Improving Documentation, Coding, and Billing
Presentations/Publications: Oral Presentation at APA Regional; Poster Presentation at CHOC Research Day
“As a graduate of the UCI/CHOC Pediatrics Residency Program, I was already familiar with the incredible resources, facilities, and staff at CHOC. I knew CHOC would be an excellent location for robust hospitalist training. Beyond the clinical offerings, I was particularly impressed by the fellowship program’s ability to provide an individualized curriculum tailored to each fellow’s goals. I was able to explore career options in both large academic and small community hospital environments. In particular, the Performance Excellence Program provided an exceptional understanding of the healthcare QI process. I graduated from this program with the confidence and capability to successfully pursue a career in hospital medicine and healthcare leadership!”
Amanda Schafenacker, MD
Class of 2023
Associate Program Director, UCI/CHOC Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship; Assistant Professor, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Research/QI: Hospital-Acquired Infection Trends, Inpatient COVID Vaccination
Presentations/Publications: Publications in Hospital Pediatrics and Journal of Neurosurgery; Oral Presentations at PHM, California Immunization Coalition, and ID Week; Poster Presentations at PAS, CHOC Research Day
“I am supremely happy to have continued my training as the first Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow at UCI/CHOC. The program allowed me to strengthen my research and QI skills, which I use to this day, as well as continued to allow me to work on my own personal growth as a clinician and healer. The curriculum is highly individualized, allowing me to focus on developing my skills for my professional future. I am excited to continue some of the curriculum work I started then as an associate program director now!”