Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Caring for Kids. Training the Future. Advancing the Field.
From bedside to research bench, our division is advancing care for children – one discovery, one patient, one trainee at a time.
Welcome to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Division at UTHealth Houston. We are committed to delivering exceptional pediatric emergency care, advancing knowledge through research, and training future leaders who will make a difference in children’s health.
Our PEM Fellowship offers an immersive, hands-on experience in a high-acuity environment, supported by passionate faculty, diverse patient populations, and collaborative clinical networks.
Clinical Training Sites & Rotations
Fellows train across a diverse range of pediatric emergency settings, gaining exposure to both high-acuity academic centers and community-based hospitals. This balance ensures a comprehensive understanding of pediatric emergency care across patient populations, health systems, and resource environments.
| Site / Setting | Description | Educational Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital | Our core academic pediatric emergency site and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center | High-volume, complex pediatric emergencies |
| LBJ Hospital | Safety-net hospital within the Harris Health System | Exposure to diverse socio-economic presentations |
| Memorial Hermann Katy | Community hospital affiliate | Community-based and general PEM experience |
| Community & Outreach Clinics | Various community settings across the Houston area | Broadening care exposure and understanding social determinants of health |
Faculty & Leadership
The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Division is guided by a dedicated team of educators, clinicians, and researchers committed to advancing pediatric emergency care locally and nationally.
Leadership:
The division is led by Thomas McCarty, MD, Director of the PEM Fellowship, and Kayleigh Fischer, MD, Assistant Director. Together, they foster an environment of academic excellence, compassionate care, and innovative training for fellows and residents.
Our Faculty:
The division’s faculty represent a dynamic group of physicians with expertise spanning pediatric trauma, simulation-based education, prehospital and EMS systems, child abuse and advocacy, disaster medicine, and global health. They are actively involved in scholarly projects, quality improvement initiatives, and multi-institutional collaborations that shape the evolving landscape of pediatric emergency medicine.
In addition to their clinical and research contributions, faculty members serve as dedicated mentors, guiding trainees in clinical reasoning, professional growth, and leadership development throughout their fellowship journey.
Fellowship Highlights & Curriculum
Fellows receive progressive, hands-on training across a broad spectrum of emergency care, with focused development in:
- Trauma and resuscitation
- Advanced procedural skills
- Point-of-care ultrasound
- Simulation-based education
- Child abuse and forensic evaluation
- Disaster response and preparedness
- Systems-based practice
Additional program features include:
- Rotations across high-acuity academic and community sites
- Protected time for scholarly activity and research
- Individualized mentorship and leadership development opportunities
Research & Innovation
Located within Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, one of the nation’s busiest Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers, our division stands at the forefront of advancing pediatric emergency care in Houston and beyond.
Faculty and fellows actively contribute to a wide range of research initiatives, fostering innovation and improving outcomes for children in emergency settings.
Areas of focus include:
- Pediatric trauma and resuscitation science
- Emergency systems and prehospital care
- Simulation-based education and procedural training
- Global health and pediatric disaster preparedness
- Quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
Alumni & Career Paths
Many of our alumni take leadership roles in pediatric emergency departments, academic centers, global health, EMS/pediatric prehospital systems, and training programs.
How To Apply
For details about the application process, deadlines, and eligibility criteria, please visit our PEM Fellowship application page.
Our division continues to grow as a leader in pediatric emergency care, driven by a shared commitment to education, innovation, and service.
Together, we’re shaping the future of care for every child who comes through our doors.