Description

Primary Clinical Site: HCA Florida Fort Walton–Destin Hospital

Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Position Type: Full-Time

Program Length: One Year (ACGME Accredited)

Start Date: July 1, 2027

 Description

The University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium is seeking qualified applicants for its one-year ACGME-accredited Surgical Critical Care Fellowship beginning July 1, 2027.

The fellowship provides advanced clinical training in the management of critically ill surgical patients within a community-based academic medical center. Fellows develop expertise in surgical critical care, trauma, emergency general surgery, perioperative critical care, and multidisciplinary intensive care while working closely with experienced surgical intensivists and a collaborative healthcare team.

The program emphasizes progressive responsibility, procedural competency, evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, scholarly activity, physician leadership, and compassionate patient-centered care.

 Position Highlights

Comprehensive experience managing critically ill surgical patients 

Direct management of trauma, emergency general surgery, and complex postoperative patients

Extensive bedside procedural experience including:

Central venous catheter placement
Arterial catheter placement
Temporary dialysis catheter placement
Chest tube insertion
Bronchoscopy
Bedside ultrasound
Airway management (as credentialed)
Additional ICU procedures appropriate to training and hospital privileges
Participation in trauma activations and emergency surgical consultations

Daily multidisciplinary ICU rounds with surgery, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, nutrition, rehabilitation, and case management

Weekly didactic conferences, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality conferences, simulation training, and board preparation

Faculty mentorship in scholarly activity, quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership development

Competitive salary and comprehensive University of Central Florida benefits package

 Why Choose Our Program?

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at HCA Florida Fort Walton–Destin Hospital offers an exceptional opportunity to train in a collaborative, high-acuity environment while receiving individualized mentorship from experienced surgical intensivists.

 Individualized Education

As a small fellowship program, fellows benefit from personalized instruction, direct faculty mentorship, and progressive clinical autonomy throughout the training year.

High-Acuity Clinical Experience

Train in a busy Level II Trauma Center caring for critically ill trauma, emergency general surgery, and complex postoperative patients across a broad spectrum of surgical disease.

Extensive Procedural Experience

Develop advanced procedural skills through hands-on experience performing vascular access, chest tube placement, bronchoscopy, airway management, point-of-care ultrasound, and other critical care procedures.

 Multidisciplinary Critical Care Team

Work alongside experienced surgeons, intensivists, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, nutritionists, nursing staff, and case managers in a collaborative ICU environment.

Commitment to Scholarly Activity

Participate in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety projects, clinical research, and educational presentations with dedicated faculty mentorship.

Leadership Development

Develop the clinical judgment, communication skills, and leadership abilities necessary for a successful career as a surgical intensivist.

Academic Resources

Benefit from the educational resources, faculty expertise, and academic support provided through the University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium.

Live on Florida’s Emerald Coast

Enjoy an outstanding quality of life while training along Florida’s Emerald Coast, offering year-round outdoor recreation, boating, fishing, white-sand beaches, and a welcoming coastal community.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school
Successful completion (or anticipated completion) of an ACGME-accredited General Surgery residency prior to fellowship start
Board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Surgery
Eligibility for a Florida physician training license or unrestricted Florida medical license
Eligibility for appointment to the Medical Staff at HCA Florida Fort Walton–Destin Hospital
Current BLS and ACLS certification
Current ATLS certification or the ability to obtain certification prior to fellowship start
ECFMG certification (if applicable)
 

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply through the Surgical and Acute Care Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS).

A complete application includes:

Completed SAFAS application
Current Curriculum Vitae
Personal Statement
Three letters of recommendation (including one from the General Surgery Program Director)
Medical school transcript
USMLE or COMLEX transcripts
ABSITE scores 
Verification of successful completion (or anticipated completion) of an ACGME-accredited General Surgery residency
ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
 

The fellowship participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Surgical Critical Care Match. Applicants must register with the NRMP and comply with all applicable Match requirements.

Qualified applicants selected for interview will be contacted following review of their completed SAFAS application.

 ACGME#: 4421144004

NRMP#: 1587442F1