What is a Pediatric Surgeon?

Pediatric surgeons devote their skills to the surgical care of children.  They have graduated from medical school and successfully completed an accredited five-year General Surgery training program.   These physicians then complete an additional accredited fellowship program devoted to Pediatric Surgery.

These specialized surgeons concentrate on the surgical problems of children.  They care for infants, children, as well as adolescents, and also help to counsel parents expecting a baby that may have been diagnosed prenatally (before birth) with a problem that will need surgical intervention.   Pediatric surgeons are experienced in caring for the wide variety of problems children may have, ranging from appendicitis to hernias, to cancer or a serious congenital anomaly (an abnormality present at birth).

What types of credentials should my pediatric surgeon have?
A pediatric surgeon will be classified as either "Board-eligible" or "Board-certified" in General Surgery.   Board certification is granted after the surgeon has completed all required training and taken and passed first a written examination that is then followed by an oral examination.  Once the General Surgery Boards have been passed, a fellowship-trained pediatric surgeon becomes eligible to take the Pediatric Surgery examination.  This also requires successful completion of both written and oral examinations.

A pediatric surgeon may have other credentials such as a membership in the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or the American Pediatric Surgical Association.  These organizations require that "Fellows" (the name given to members) meet well-established standards of training, clinical knowledge, and professional conduct.