Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship
The Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship is recruiting its first fellow to start in July 2027.
The Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship is a 24-month program offered to one physical medicine and rehabilitation trained physician per year who is interested in developing further expertise in clinical management and research of those with congenital and acquired pediatric impairments and disabilities. Taught by nationally recognized faculty involved in multiple US News & World Report-ranked pediatric subspecialties, and in nationally-accredited clinics, training will occur at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. LCH, part of Carolinas Medical Center, is a 247-bed tertiary care pediatric hospital with a 13-bed inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit and additional specialty outpatient clinics. The fellowship is a flexible blend of clinical and research opportunities and can be designed to fulfill the interests of the candidate.
Message from the Program Director
Thanks for your interest in the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center! We are a two-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship offering one fellowship position per year.
The majority of training takes place at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital, a 247-bed children's hospital attached to Carolinas Medical Center, recognized as one of the nation's Best Children's Hospitals by US News & World Report and ranked in 7 subspecialties. It is the largest children's hospital between Atlanta and Washington DC, and is a level 1 pediatric trauma center. The 4th floor of the hospital houses our 13-bed pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit, where fellows rotate to gain experience with our pediatric physiatrists and others on our rehabilitation team. Fellows will gain experience with caring for children with disorders of consciousness, as well as children who require tracheostomies and ventilators. Since the unit is located within a children's hospital, subspecialty consultation is readily available, creating a rich environment for interaction with physicians working in other fields. The hospital also hosts a occupational therapy fellowship and physical therapy residency, with diverse opportunities to learn from other allied specialties. Fellows will also see inpatient consultations at Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital.
Outpatient clinical opportunities abound at Levine Children's Specialty Center, where many multidisciplinary clinics are housed. The pediatric neuromuscular clinic is a certified MDA Care Center, where many children receiving genetic therapy are seen. There are also plenty of opportunities for spasticity management, including chemodenervation, baclofen pumps, and pre- and post-evaluation for patients receiving selective dorsal rhizotomy.
Outpatient clinical opportunities abound at Levine Children's Specialty Center, where many multidisciplinary clinics are housed. The pediatric neuromuscular clinic is a certified MDA Care Center, where many children receiving genetic therapy are seen. There are also plenty of opportunities for spasticity management, including chemodenervation, baclofen pumps, and pre- and post-evaluation for patients receiving selective dorsal rhizotomy.
Charlotte, North Carolina is a fantastic, affordable, welcoming city with lots to do! It is home to professional sports teams, museums, theatre, award-winning restaurants, and outdoor activities including the US National Whitewater Center (and the mountains and the beach are just a short drive away.)
We look forward to hearing from you!
Tobias Tsai, MD
Program Director
Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center
Mission/Aims
The mission of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship is to produce compassionate physicians who are highly skilled and trained to provide exemplary care to individuals with congenital and acquired pediatric impairments and disabilities through clinical experiences that provide a community care focus. Our program provides services to patients who reside within the southeastern United States with the greatest focus within the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. This aligns directly with the mission of Atrium Health to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing-for all.
The fellowship aims to produce physicians who will:
- provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health for these pediatric patients across multiple healthcare settings and life span
- demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information with patients, their families, and professional associates
- demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and
- advance awareness and knowledge of pediatric disabilities through a variety of educational endeavors.
Overview
The Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship is a 24-month program offered to one physical medicine and rehabilitation trained physician per year who is interested in developing further expertise in clinical management and research of those with congenital and acquired pediatric impairments and disabilities. Taught by nationally recognized faculty involved in multiple US News & World Report-ranked pediatric subspecialties, and in nationally-accredited clinics, training will occur at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. LCH, part of Carolinas Medical Center, is a 247-bed tertiary care pediatric hospital with a 13-bed inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit and additional specialty outpatient clinics. The fellowship is a flexible blend of clinical and research opportunities and can be designed to fulfill the interests of the candidate.
The fellowship recently earned initial accreditation and is recruiting for the first fellow to begin in July 2027.
Clinical Opportunities
- Inpatient and outpatient management of patients with congenital and acquired pediatric impairments and disabilities, from admission to outpatient follow up
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with physical therapy, social work, occupational therapy, speech language therapy, respiratory therapy, child life and other allied health specialties.
- Clinics with pediatric orthopedics, pediatric neuropsychology, pediatric neurology, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric gastroenterology, and medical genetics, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, wheelchair seating, and other medical subspecialties
- Orthopedic clinics at OrthoCarolina with clinicians who specialize in children’s care, including cerebral palsy, sports and other traumatic orthopedic injury, brachial plexopathy, and peripheral neuropathy.
- Additional opportunities to advance awareness of pediatric disabilities such as volunteering with Special Olympics MedFest and the Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program
How to Apply
We accept applications ONLY from participants in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please reach out to Jamie Smith, Medical Education Operations Director, for more information.
Meet the Faculty
Tobias Tsai, MD
Program Director
Medical Director, Pediatric Rehabilitation at Levine Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Dr. Tsai received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. He completed his internship at University of Rochester and his residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Tsai is nationally recognized as a leader in Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, providing comprehensive services for children of all ages who have
experienced a debilitating illness or injury. His clinical interests include cerebral palsy, spina bifida and brain injury.
Dr. Tsai has presented at national and international medical conferences and is a member of many pediatric and rehabilitation medical organizations. Dr. Tsai is married and has a son and daughter and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Dukjin Im, MD
Associate Program Director
Faculty Physician, Pediatric Rehabilitation at Levine Children’s Hospital
Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Dr. Im received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from John Hopkins University. He obtained his medical degree, residency and fellowship at University of Michigan (UM) located in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he also became board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine.
Dr. Im is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. He has special interests in spasticity management and disability issues where he spent 15 years doing summer camps for children with special needs.
In his spare time, Dr. Im enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.