Overview
About the program
To give anesthesia is not difficult; but to give safe anesthesia is.
- Dr. Donald E. Hale Chairman of Anesthesiology Cleveland Clinic (1946-1967)
The Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic was established in 1999 under the leadership of Dr. Julie Niezgoda, the section head for pediatric anesthesiology, and Dr. Emad Mossad, the section head for congenital heart anesthesiology. The Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology was officially formed in 2006, and now operates under the Children’s Institute. Since its inception, 58 pediatric anesthesiologists have completed the fellowship. Currently 21 pediatric fellowship-trained physicians cover nearly 9,000 cases annually across eight dedicated pediatric operating rooms and more than seven remote locations.
The department is actively involved educating residents and fellows, as well as student nurse anesthetists, pediatric residents, emergency medicine residents, and critical care transport personnel. This strong educational focus contributes to the department’s growth and its ability to provide exceptional care for Cleveland Clinic’s youngest and most complex patients.
The Cleveland Clinic’s department of Pediatric Anesthesiology is an excellent place to learn, offering both world-class care for pediatric and adult patients undergoing a wide range of complex diagnoses. Trainees benefit from the unique opportunity to work with a high volume of complex cases, including congenital cardiac procedures, which are a hallmark of the Cleveland Clinic’s expertise. Our reputation for handling the most critically ill and youngest patients ensures that fellows gain a comprehensive hands-on experience in pediatric anesthesiology that is unparalleled.
Contact us
Lauren Licina, MD
Director, Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program
Phone: 216.445-7455 | Fax: 216.444.9247
Email: Licinal@ccf.org
Kassie Fedor, MBA
Program Coordinator
Email: Fedork2@ccf.org
Program Leadership
Lauren Licina, MD
Program Director
As a native Clevelander, returning home to the Cleveland Clinic after my medical education and training was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I am proud to be part of a tight-knit team that cares not only for our complex pediatric patients but also for each other. Our group fosters a family-like atmosphere with abundant mentoring opportunities for trainees and junior staff.
We are fortunate to work at a renowned institution alongside some of the best surgeons, interventionalists, nurses, and other team members, all committed to providing cutting-edge treatments for our pediatric patients.
Our fellowship program is intentionally small, allowing fellows to participate in multiple index cases and tailor their clinical experience to their specific goals and interests. Education is a cornerstone of our department, and we are excited to work with fellows who are passionate about the field of pediatric anesthesia.
Morgan Stafford, MD
Associate Program Director
I came to Cleveland Clinic for residency, from North Carolina, in order to learn from the diversity and complexity of cases here. I chose to stay after fellowship because Cleveland had become home and the closely-knit Pediatric Anesthesiology Department had become like family. My colleagues supported my growth as an anesthesiologist and person throughout my fellowship and wanted to continue work in an environment that supports growth and collaboration.
We take care of some of the Clinic's smallest, most-complex patients, and we cannot do so without so many other team members. The small size of our department allows us to establish great relationships with the surgeons, nurses, technicians, and many others that help make our work successful and enjoyable.
I am fortunate to have learned from, and continue to learn from, many mentors in our department and I look forward to hopefully providing the same support for our trainees in the years to come.
Education Curriculum
The Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship curriculum is designed to help fellows develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide advanced perioperative care. Which includes general anesthesia or sedation for both routine and critically ill pediatric patients requiring surgery or non-painful procedures. Fellows have protected education time on Tuesday afternoons where they meet with various faculty members to explore a variety of timely topics.
Education offerings within the program include (but are not limited to):
- Congenital Cardiac Lecture Series
- Dedicated pain curriculum
- Formal career mentoring
- Grand Rounds series
- M&M Conferences
- Oral Board Review Course
- Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow Lecture Series
- Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow Orientation Series
- Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow Boot Camps
- Perioperative Teaching by Pediatric Anesthesia Faculty
- Professional Development Series
- Simulations
Clinical Experience
The 13 module (4 weeks per module) Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship consists of:
- 5 modules Pediatric Operating/GENA
- 3 modules Pediatric Cardiac experience
- 1 module ICU
- 1 module Pediatric Acute Pain service
- 1 module Pediatric Ambulatory/ NORA (non operating room anesthesia)
- 1 module Advanced Pediatric Care (“Pretending” rotation)
- 1 academic day every 3 weeks throughout the year
- 15 vacation days
- 5 days for meetings and personal time
The Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic has a strong clinical experience with approximately 8,000 cases per year shared by:
- 6 Pediatric Operating Rooms
- 2 Pediatric Cardiac Operating Rooms
- 2 Pediatric Catheterization labs
- 2 Outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Center ORs
- Pediatric Electrophysiology labs
- Several remote areas which include the following:
- Cardiovascular Diagnostic Lab (CVDL)
- Position Emission Tomography Scan (PET scan)
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Neurointerventional Radiology (NIR)
- Radiation therapy in the cancer institute
- CT, Interventional and Other Radiology Sites
Special highlights include:
- Robust Pediatric Transplant Program (heart, liver, kidney, and multivisceral organs)
- Fetal Surgery
- World Class Pediatric Cardiac Program
- Pediatric Pain Service
Career Development
Mentoring
Incoming fellows are paired with an experienced faculty mentor to provide support throughout their fellowship year. The mentor’s role may vary, but ultimately, they are there to guide the fellow in areas such as career development, involvement in academic projects, and providing general assistance with day-to-day fellowship life.
Board preparation
From February to April each year, a dedicated group of faculty members helps prepare fellows for the ABA APPLIED Exam. Directed by ABA board examiners and other faculty members with expertise in medical education, the preparation includes:
- Routine group discussions with faculty moderators
- Mock Standardized Oral Examination (SOE) sessions
- Mock Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) sessions
Teaching opportunities
Fellows have the opportunity to assist in teaching medical students and anesthesiology residents during dedicated pediatric simulation sessions and in clinical cases. There are also opportunities to participate in courses within the Education Institute to develop teaching skills.
Scholarly activities
Fellows are required to participate in at least one academic research project during their fellowship year. Academic days will be allocated, and mentorship will be provided. The research project may involve joining an ongoing clinical or basic science study, or fellows may initiate a new project.
Quality improvement project
Each fellow also works with the department’s quality improvement officers to fulfill a QI project to benefit the care of our pediatric patients.
Clinical supervisory experience
During the final quarter of the fellowship year and the Advanced Pediatric Care rotation, fellows take on a clinical teaching and supervisory role with junior anesthesiology residents in the pediatric operating room. This experience allows fellows to refine their supervisory skills while still receiving direct oversight and support from faculty as needed.
Current Fellows
Meet our 2026-2027 fellows
Katie Basch, DO
- Hometown: Solon, Ohio
- Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I chose to train at Cleveland Clinic because of the wonderful experience I had during my pediatric anesthesia rotation as a resident. I knew that the breadth and acuity of cases, including NICU, cardiac, and other complex patients, would provide me with the skills and knowledge needed to become a well-rounded pediatric anesthesiologist. Just as importantly, I was drawn to the supportive and welcoming culture of the pediatric anesthesia faculty and team, which made Cleveland Clinic an easy choice for fellowship training.
Jay Shah, DO
- Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
- Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I chose Cleveland Clinic for my pediatric anesthesia fellowship because I had such a positive experience here during residency. I really valued the quality of training, the complexity and breadth of the clinical experience, and, most importantly, the people I had the opportunity to work with. I knew I wanted to return to an environment where I felt supported and challenged, and where I could continue learning from faculty who are excellent clinicians and teachers.
Fatima Serhan, MD
- Hometown: Shebaa, Lebanon
- Medical School: Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanon
- Residency: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: It's a small mentorship driven program tailored to each fellow's goals, that offers hands-on experience in complex, cardiac and neonatal surgery cases and has built in opportunities to teach and lead junior residents.
Esra Kutlu Yalcin, MD (starting 1/1/2027)
- Hometown: Mersin, Turkiye
- Medical School: Cukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Turkey
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I chose Cleveland Clinic for my pediatric anesthesiology training because of the opportunity to learn from an experienced team, gain exposure to a wide variety of cases, and continue growing both clinically and personally. Just as important, everyone in the department has been so welcoming, kind, and supportive, creating an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions, learning, and challenging myself. I really value being part of a team that not only strives for excellence in patient care but also genuinely cares about each other. I’m excited to continue learning from such a wonderful group of people and to be part of a department that shares my passion for providing the best possible care to children and their families.
Application Process
The Pediatric Anesthesiology fellowship offers three positions each year. All positions are filled through the San Franscico Match (ACGME Program ID PR10110). Applications are accepted from January until March 31st.
We offer flexible start dates, with the majority of our fellows starting either July 1st or August 1st.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted via SF match and will include the following materials:
- CV
- Personal statement
- USMLE and/or COMLEX scores
- Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Program Director)
- ECFMG Certificate (if applicable)
- ABA in-training scores and Basic Exam score
Application timeline
Interviews for fellowship positions will be held between April - June.
Interviews
Applicants that are being offered an interview will be notified via email. If interviews are held virtually, applicants will need to ensure they have a camera with a microphone available.
Resources
Training at Cleveland Clinic
We invite you to explore our Graduate Medical Education website to discover the reasons why Cleveland Clinic offers an ideal teaching and learning environment as well as to learn more about our rich tradition of excellence in the “education of those who serve.”
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