Department of Pediatrics

Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Director's Message

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Danny Castro, D.O., M.Ed.
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Danny Castro, D.O., M.Ed. 
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Dear Prospective Fellow,

Thank you for your interest in our Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program. Please allow me to briefly speak about the aspects of our program, division, and city that I think are important for prospective trainees to know.  I also share some personal favorites about Houston, our fellows and our program.

Texas Children's Hospital is the largest free-standing children's hospital in the United States and is the pediatric affiliate of Baylor College of Medicine.  The Division of Critical Care Medicine at Texas Children's Hospital is currently led by our interim Division Chief, Dr. Fernando Stein, but we look forward to the arrival of our new Division Chief and former fellow, Dr. Katri Typpo, this upcoming academic year. Our division currently consists of over 80 full-time pediatric critical care physicians and an expanding group of hospitalists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Baylor College of Medicine fosters an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion that is demonstrated by the creation of our Office of Community Engagement and Health Equity which oversees numerous diversity and equity initiativesprograms, and policies supported by the college of medicine.  Houston remains one of the most diverse cities in America and ranks as the most diverse large city for 2023 by WalletHub.  Our faculty and fellows exemplify the diversity representative of the City of Houston as well as the efforts made by Baylor College of Medicine to represent the community it serves.

Our Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program, with 21 fellows, is the largest in the country and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.  We have been training fellows in pediatric critical care medicine since the early 1980s and have trained more than 180 fellows to date.  We hold our fellows to the highest professional standards and expect that our fellows embody and model the stated values of both the Program and the College.  The program provides fellows with experiences that encompass both breadth and depth in clinical practice and scholarship. The program is confident that by the end of fellowship training, our graduates will not only be competent academic intensivists and able to manage any unit in the world but will also be the best version of themselves.

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Now for some personal favorites.  My family and I enjoy living in Houston for several reasons. First, the city offers an incredible culinary experience with its diverse and delicious food scene.  Second, we appreciate the pleasant fall and winter weather in Houston. The milder temperatures allow us to explore the city and engage in outdoor activities without the discomfort of extreme heat or cold.  (This is where I conveniently leave out this summer's triple digit temperatures and words like "heat dome" 😊).  Another fantastic aspect of Houston is its proximity to the stunning Gulf of Mexico and other major cities in Texas. This geographical advantage enables us to easily plan weekend getaways and enjoy the beautiful coastal landscapes, whether it's soaking up the sun on the beaches or indulging in water sports.  One of our favorite destinations is Port Aransas, Texas.

What I admire most about our fellows is their unwavering commitment and dedication to our patients and their education. Despite the occasional challenges and pressures of our environment, they consistently strive to give their best. Moreover, what sets them apart is their ability to maintain a sense of groundedness, never taking themselves too seriously which helps foster a positive and supportive environment where everyone thrives.

We appreciate your consideration of our fellowship training program and would be honored to be part of your journey! 

Danny Castro, D.O., M.Ed. 
Program Director
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship