Pediatric Child Abuse Fellowship
The Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship at the University of Louisville offers comprehensive training in a high-volume, supportive environment. Fellows gain expertise in diagnosing and managing child ma
Overview
The Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and Norton Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive training with a high volume of diverse cases. Kentucky, having one of the highest child victimization rates in the U.S., allows fellows to evaluate a broad spectrum of maltreatment cases. The program offers a collaborative and flexible environment, where fellows work closely with a supportive team to tailor their experience.
The mission of the Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine and Norton Children’s Pediatric Protection Specialists is to protect children from all forms of maltreatment. The fellowship fulfills this mission by providing fact-based, early assessments of suspected maltreatment and effectively communicating findings to decision-makers to ensure optimal outcomes for at-risk children. Additionally, it develops a skilled workforce in child abuse pediatrics through an ACGME-accredited program, graduating experts in diagnosis, education, research, advocacy and lifelong learning. The fellowship also focuses on educating the community about child maltreatment prevention, recognition and intervention, targeting healthcare providers, law enforcement, educators and other key groups. It advocates for policies that promote child safety through partnerships with community stakeholders and lawmakers while conducting research to strengthen the evidence base for maltreatment assessments.
The program is guided by core values of integrity, objectivity, accountability, teamwork, efficiency and respect. The vision is to create a Kentucky where all children are safe from maltreatment.
The fellowship curriculum, based on ACGME's core competencies, provides training in both clinical and research aspects of Child Abuse Pediatrics. The goals of the program include proficiency in evaluating pediatric injury cases related to maltreatment and differential diagnoses, clinical experience in all forms of child abuse (neglect, physical, sexual, emotional abuse and Pediatric Condition Falsification), completion of a research project in child abuse pediatrics, enhanced communication skills with multidisciplinary teams and development of expertise in providing court testimony as an expert witness. Fellows are also encouraged to engage in self-reflection and continuous improvement in clinical practice.
By the numbers, the program evaluates approximately 1,300 patients annually (excluding CAC children), with 50% of non-CAC patients evaluated at Norton Children’s Hospital and 50% managed outside the hospital. The fellowship also includes the evaluation of 150-200 patients at the Child Advocacy Center annually, 75 intracranial injury patients per year, 180 fracture patients per year and 15 suspected Pediatric Condition Falsification/Medical Child Abuse cases annually. Of the patients with primary concerns, 50% are related to physical abuse, 25% to neglect and 25% to sexual abuse, excluding CAC cases.
Key Contacts
Camry Woodward
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Phone: (502) 852-7997
Melissa Currie, MD, FAAP
Medical Director and Chief
Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine
Program Director, Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship
Professor of Pediatrics
Program Details
Application and Interview Process
The following information outlines the process for medical students applying for pediatric Fellowships, beginning July 1, 2025.
Applicants must have their files completed for screening prior to receiving an invitation to interview. Applications must be submitted using ERAS.
1
ERAS application
A completed ERAS application contains the following documents:
- Current CV
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- At least one letter of recommendation must come from your residency training program.
- Headshot
- Medical School Transcript
- Medical School Dean's letter
- USMLE transcript
- ECFMG status report
- The ECFMG Status Report is issued for International Medical Graduates only. If you are an International student, please include any additional necessary documents that support your Visa status.
Stipends & Benefits
The stipend rates for each PGY level are as follows:
- PGY 1: $61,867.64 annually / $5,155.64 monthly
- PGY 2: $64,179.69 annually / $5,348.31 monthly
- PGY 3: $66,251.94 annually / $5,521.00 monthly
- PGY 4: $69,244.93 annually / $5,770.41 monthly
- PGY 5: $72,601.03 annually / $6,050.09 monthly
- PGY 6: $75,877.94 annually / $6,323.16 monthly
- PGY 7: $79,034.94 annually / $6,586.25 monthly
- PGY 8: $83,236.00 annually / $6,936.33 monthly
Stipends reflect a 4% increase across all PGY levels. Moonlighting shifts are available for additional compensation at various clinical sites.
Basic Life Insurance
Eligible employees can enroll in Basic Life Insurance at twice their base annual salary (adjusted up to the nearest $1,000, maximum $200,000) at no cost.
Additional Term Life Insurance
Additional Term Life Insurance is a supplement to Basic Life Insurance for employees who would like to purchase for their self, spouse and/or child(ren). If you purchase Additional Term Life Insurance for yourself, you may also purchase Additional Term Life Insurance for your spouse and dependent child(ren).
Self: May purchase coverage from $20,000 to $500,000.
Spouse: Benefit options are available up to $150,000, with the minimum benefit amount as $10,000 and the maximum benefit amount as the lesser of 50% of the employee Supplemental Life Benefit or $150,000. No person may be insured as a Dependent of more than one employee.
Child(ren): May purchase coverage at $10,000 for children through the end of the year in which they turn 26.
The University of Louisville offers five medical plans through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem).
The plan options are:
EPO: The EPO plan provides coverage to you through an exclusive network of Anthem providers, except when there is a health or life-threatening emergency.
PPO: The PPO plan provides higher coverage to you if you see in-network providers, but also provides a lower level of coverage when you see out-of-network providers. The plan will begin to pay benefits once your annual deductible is met. When you need care, you pay a copay for services like doctor’s office visits or coinsurance for services like inpatient hospital stays.
UofL Health Plan (ULH): The ULH plan provides coverage to you through an exclusive network of University of Louisville health care providers. It offers three tiers of coverage:
- Tier 1 – UofL Health providers; lowest out-of-pocket costs.
- Tier 2 – Anthem in-network providers; higher out-of-pocket costs
- Tier 3 – Out-of-network; coverage for emergency services only
PCA Low & High – With Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The PCA High and PCA Low plans are consumer-directed plans that provide more control over your spending.
The EPO, PPO and ULH plans are considered traditional health care plans. They include network coverage when you see providers in the Anthem network. In some cases, an annual deductible must be met before you receive coverage for care. All plans come with an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you would ever have to pay during the year for covered services.
Note: Employees on J1 Visas are only eligible for EPO, PPO or ULH plans. For more information, contact the International Affairs office.
MetLife is UofL’s dental provider. There are two options for dental insurance, the basic plan and the enhanced plan, which includes adult orthodontia.
Vision insurance is provided by Davis Vision. Davis Vision has a national network of credentialed preferred providers. With Davis Vision, you have access to great in-network benefits at provider locations nationwide, including over 700 Visionworks stores, which offer the largest in-store frame assortment in the industry.
Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation for all Fellows
Family Medical Leave (includes maternity)
Retirement
Fellows are considered "eligible employees" and may contribute monies to any of UofL's retirement plans.
Worker's Compensation
All house staff are covered under the Kentucky Worker's Compensation statutes for injuries incurred while engaged in regularly assigned duties.
Professional Liability Insurance (Malpractice)
Professional liability insurance is provided by the University of Louisville or by affiliated hospitals through contract agreement.
Preventive Health Program
Hepatitis B immunization, an annual TB skin test and flu shots are required and furnished free of charge to all fellows. Additionally, COVID-19 testing and monitoring is also provided free of charge.
- Free parking in the attached, covered Norton Children's Hospital garage.
- On-call meals are provided at both Norton Children's Hospital and UofL Hospital
- Lab Coats are provided
- Additional expenses covered (some restrictions apply):
- Medical licenses
- Specialty memberships
- Scientific meeting registration and travel for first authors
- PALS/NRP training
- Academic allowances (journal subscriptions, books, conferences, etc.)
Fellows are eligible to purchase discount student athletic tickets through the UofL Athletics Department.
Our Department covers the cost of various Master's and Certificate programs, including:
Master's in Health Professions Education & Certificate
Gain skills for academic success, advance education research, improve healthcare teaching and explore teaching methods in healthcare. A Master's in Health Professions Education can set you apart in academic or leadership roles.
Master's & Certificate in Clinical Investigation Sciences
Develop clinical research expertise, master biostatistics and epidemiology and participate in clinical trials. Includes both online and in-person courses.
Master's in Health Care Ethics
Learn to navigate ethical dilemmas in clinical practice, contribute to ethics committees and teach medical ethics while engaging with future healthcare professionals.
Master's in Public Health & Certificate
Focus on evidence-based public health strategies, healthcare systems, cultural awareness in public policy and collaborative patient care within interprofessional teams.
Whether you are considering the University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics for subspecialty training, currently serving as a fellow or faculty member in our program, or simply stopping by, we are excited to showcase our programs, our facilities and our city – but most important, our fellows. We are here to answer your questions.
Erin B. Owen, MD
Director of Pediatric Fellowships
Associate Director: Residency Program
Associate Professor: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine