Education
World class pediatric surgical education at UCLA
At UCLA’s Division of Pediatric Surgery, we are dedicated to training compassionate, skilled, and globally minded surgeons who are prepared to care for the most vulnerable patients, infants and children. Our programs integrate rigorous clinical education, impactful research, and hands-on global health engagement to develop tomorrow’s leaders in pediatric surgery.
General Surgery Residency Program: Pediatric surgery rotation
Pediatric surgery is a core clinical rotation and research focus area within the highly regarded UCLA General Surgery Residency Program. Residents gain experience in managing a wide range of pediatric surgical conditions under the mentorship of nationally recognized faculty at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.
Clinical training includes:
- Pediatric trauma and emergency surgery
- Minimally invasive and neonatal procedures
- Congenital and oncologic surgery
- Multidisciplinary care in a family-centered environment
Global health initiatives in pediatric surgery
UCLA’s Division of Pediatric Surgery is deeply committed to expanding access to safe, high-quality surgical care for children worldwide. Our global health work spans training, clinical partnerships, and faculty mentorship.
Our global reach includes:
Mozambique partnership
We collaborate with the Eduardo Mondlane School of Medicine in Mozambique to support Dr. Atanasio Taela, the nation’s only pediatric surgeon. By strengthening surgical training and infrastructure, we aim to improve care for more than 10 million children in the region.
Global pediatric surgery fellowships
We welcome pediatric surgeons from around the world—including Spain, Hong Kong, China, Armenia, and Taiwan—for advanced training at UCLA. These international fellows enrich our community and expand pediatric surgical capacity globally.
Mentorship in global surgery
Faculty members Dr. Daniel DeUgarte and Dr. Shant Shekherdimian mentor residents and students through global surgery electives, offering clinical experiences, policy engagement, and public health research in resource-limited settings.
Improving surgical care in Armenia
Dr. Shekherdimian leads long-term efforts in Armenia and other former Soviet republics, including advising the Ministry of Health and providing continuing education to local providers. His work advances regional healthcare policy and surgical quality.
Institutional collaborations
We actively partner with:
These collaborations support surgical training, knowledge exchange, and pediatric care delivery in underserved regions.
Why train in Pediatric Surgery at UCLA?
- Clinical excellence at a nationally ranked children’s hospital
- Integrated mentorship and research in general surgery residency
- Opportunities for global leadership and advocacy
- Diverse, inclusive training environment
- Commitment to compassionate, family-centered care