Madera, Calif.-based Valley Children's Hospital announced plans Thursday to launch a graduate education program for pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists.
However, this move may jeopardize its 40-year partnership with UCSF-Fresno, according to coverage in the Fresno Bee. Valley Children's currently hosts a pediatric residency with UCSF-Fresno, which accepts 12 residents a year. Residents split their training between Valley Children's and Fresno, Calif.-based Community Regional Medical Center. Community Regional also financially supports some of the residents.
In its announcement Thursday, Valley Children's said it plans to launch a fellowship to train pediatric subspecialists in surgery, gastroenterology and emergency medicine. It will be the first subspecialist program in the area, according to the statement.
As part of the announcement, Valley Children's offered to take on the entire UCSF-Fresno partnership, academically and financially, and continue as a teaching site. However, UCSF-Fresno has not made a decision yet, according to the Bee.
Valley Children's said it will continue to financially support the UCSF-Fresno program until it establishes its own.
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