Graduate Medical Education

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About the Graduate Medical Education Program

The Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) provides institutional oversight and support for all trainees with an (M.D. or D.O. title) in a clinical residency and fellowship programs. We are responsible for ensuring continued accreditation of CHLA as a sponsoring institution of GME by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. We ensure that programs are compliant with the common, institutional, and program-specific requirements.

Training we offer

Fellowship training at Children's Hospital Los Angeles offers an exciting range of opportunities, including research opportunities, for an advanced pediatric education. We nurture and promote the career aspirations of our fellows through a wide array of sub-subspecialty programs, scholarship skills training, state-of-the-art clinical facilities and unsurpassed exposure to a large, diverse patient population. The hospital currently mentors 108 clinical fellows and 106 residents in 25 ACGME accredited programs.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been training the next generation of physicians for over 97 years. We are privileged to offer many diverse and robust clinical fellowships and residency programs.

ACGME accredited program:

Non-ACGME accredited programs

CODA-accredited Programs

For more information on our fellows and residency programs and to learn how to apply, please visit our program website page.

Pediatric Residency
Child Neurology Residency Training Program
Clinical Fellowships

Benefits

Competitive Salary

The Office of Graduate Medical Education performs an annual salary analysis to ensure its trainees are being paid at a completive rate. 

FY25 Salary rates:

Post Graduate Year 4: $84,073.60
Post Graduate Year 5: $87,401.60
Post Graduate Year 6: $90,667.20
Post Graduate Year 7: $93,828.80
Post Graduate Year 8: $96,948.80
Post Graduate Year 9: $100,089.60

Housing Stipend

Eligible fellows and residents are given an annual housing stipend. $10,000 for Pediatric Residents. $8,000 for Fellows. Please contact the GME office to verify if your program is eligible.

Meal Stipend

Eligible fellows and residents are given an annual meal stipend ($2200 - $2400) to use at the HBO café located in CHLA. Trainees may opt to designate part of their meal stipend towards a monthly Coffee Bean gift card. Please contact the GME office for more details.

Coffee Card

Trainees can designate part of their meal stipend towards a monthly coffee card that may be redeemed at any Coffee Bean location. There are two Coffee Bean locations on site at CHLA. Please contact the GME office for more details.

Safe Ride Home

The GME office will reimburse trainee’s rideshare to and from the hospital (*rideshare must originate from CHLA) when they are too fatigue to drive home. Trainee safety and well-being is a priority. This resource is available to CHLA GME fellows and residents.

Therapy Support

Trainees have access to two full time on-site therapist who provide free confidential therapy and support. Both support staff are licensed marriage and family therapists who also assist with coordinating group sessions and wellness events for trainees. Please email our Employee Support Services program to set up an appointment. 

The Graduate Medical Education office will also provide support if you choose to see your personal therapist. GME will reimburse half of each session ($100 max), up to 8 sessions annually. You may email the GME office for more details.  

Health Care Plan

CHLA offers a comprehensive benefits package tailored for all stages of a career, catering to the diverse needs of team members. New hires can enroll within 30 days of their start date, while those experiencing qualified life events have the same 30-day window. The benefits include seven medical plan options and four dental plan options, ensuring flexibility and choice for every employee. For benefits questions, please visit the “Benefits” link via the Intranet or call 323-361-8326.

Liability Insurance

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will provide professional liability coverage (malpractice) at no cost to the trainee. This coverage is in effect when acting within the capacity and scope of duties related to the CHLA Training Program only.

Vacation/Time off

Trainees are given a total of 20 days off per academic year. Time is allotted as fourteen (14) weekdays of paid vacation, in addition to 6 days of protected sick time days. 

Leave of Absence

Physicians in training are provided with six weeks of leave for the first approved medical, parental or caregiver leave of absence. Full details can be found on the Physician in Training agreement.

Pregnancy-Disability Leave

Physicians in training are provided with eight weeks of leave for the first approved medical, parental or caregiver leave of absence. Full details can be found on the Physician in Training agreement. 

Visa Sponsorship

CHLA provides sponsorship for J1 visas. USCIS defines J-1 classification (exchange visitors) as those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training. Application and visa fees support are available to trainees in an ACGME accredited program or ACGME Non-Standard program. More information on J1 visa requirements can be found via the ECFMG website. H1b visa sponsorships are permitted on a case by case basis. Please email our Training Program Liaison, Cindy Leyva if you have any questions or for additional information.

Core Curriculum

The GME office hosts weekly curriculum sessions every Monday from noon to 1 PM, covering topics from hospital orientation, research resources, leadership development and a vast array of additional themes. These sessions provide a platform for trainees to learn and engage in discussions and promotes collaboration. The calendar also includes Fellow & Resident Forum where trainees have a safe space to share feedback and suggestions for the DIO and GMEC. Sessions are available both in person and online. Lunch is provided. For a copy of the current core curriculum schedule, please contact the GME office.

Wellness

We support the importance of well-being for both residents and fellows in healthcare settings, where burnout and depression are at increased risk. Psychological, emotional, and physical well-being are essential for developing competent, compassionate, and resilient physicians. CHLA understands self-care is a critical aspect of professionalism and must be actively supported during residency training.

Children’s Hospital offers wellbeing support to trainees via the Graduate Medical Education Office and Emotional Support Services program.

• Designed therapist for trainees, free of charge and with flexible hours
• Direct follow-up with trainees after the death of a patient to provide grief support and other resources as needed
• The GME Wellness subcommittee is a group consisting of faculty, fellows, and residents that works to assess and promote the well-being of individuals within the institution. The subcommittee's role is to identify wellness needs, create initiatives, and implement support systems that improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of trainees and faculty involved in medical education. Their efforts aim to foster a healthier, more sustainable learning and working environment.
• Resources for outside therapy for trainees including reimbursements to offset costs
• Healing Response Team (HeaRT)
• Schwartz Rounds

Life in L.A.

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Resources

• Rotating Clinical Resident and/or Fellow requests please email Melissa Almanzan, Institutional Coordinator
• Other departments links
  • Medical Students – Our Academic Affairs office oversees the medical student clerkships. Please email MedEdOffice@chla.usc.edu for information.
  • Research observer & PhD Postdoctoral Fellows – TECPAD
  • Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants – Office of Advance Practice
  • International Observers - Global Health Office