Association of Pediatric Surgery Training Program Directors
Vision Statement
To lead the future of pediatric surgical education by fostering a community of training program leaders committed to excellence, innovation, and inclusion—ensuring that every child has access to highly skilled, compassionate, and well-trained pediatric surgeons.
We envision a world where:
- Pediatric surgical training programs are models of educational and technical excellence, inclusion, and wellness.
- Program directors are empowered as transformative leaders and advocates for surgical education.
- Trainees thrive in environments that nurture their education, personal growth, and professional identity.
- Collaboration and scholarship drive continuous improvements in how we teach trainees and care for children.
- Optimal pediatric surgical care is ensured by committing to the right expertise as well as timely and appropriate delivery of care
Together, we strive to shape a stronger, more equitable future for pediatric surgical care by committing to the highest standards of excellence.
Mission Statement
The Association of Pediatric Surgical Training Program Directors (APSTPD) is dedicated to advancing the education, development, and well-being of future pediatric surgeons through excellence in surgical training leadership. Our mission is to empower program directors and surgical educators to deliver innovative, equitable, and high-quality training that prepares compassionate, skilled, and resilient pediatric surgeons to serve the diverse surgical needs of children and families.
We are committed to:
- Educational Leadership and Innovation
Supporting program directors in developing and implementing evidence-based, competency-driven curricula that foster surgical excellence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. - Collaboration and Mentorship
Creating a strong, supportive community of pediatric surgical educators that encourages mentorship, peer support, and shared best practices to elevate training across all institutions. - Trainee Wellness and Professional Growth
Championing initiatives that promote the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of surgical trainees while cultivating devotion to the field, professionalism, leadership, and personal growth. - Inclusivity
Promoting inclusive training environments that serve the broad population of patients by ensuring equitable opportunities for all trainees. - Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Representing the voice of pediatric surgical training leaders in conversations to influence policies that shape graduate medical education and surgical standards. - Scholarly Excellence and Continuous Improvement
Advancing research and scholarship in surgical education and fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement to ensure the highest standards in training and patient care.
Through these principles, APSTPD seeks to cultivate a community of inspired and effective educators who are dedicated to shaping the next generation of pediatric surgeons and improving surgical care for all children.
APSTPD Leadership
Mark Mazziotti
President
Patrick Javid
Secretary / Treasurer
Robert Baird
Canadian Representative
Samir Gadepalli
Director at Large
KuoJen Tsao
Immediate Past President
Open Fellowship Positions
Search for a pediatric surgical program or position to help in your quest to make a big difference in young lives.
Virtual-Only Fellowship Interviews
The following reflects the official stance of the APSTPD.
The Association of Pediatric Surgery Training Program Directors (APSTPD) is committed to ensuring a fair, equitable, and transparent recruitment process for all pediatric surgery fellowship applicants.
After extensive discussion and consensus among program directors nationwide, APSTPD has adopted a formal position that:
All pediatric surgery fellowship interviews will be conducted virtually for the upcoming match cycle and for the foreseeable future.
Why Virtual-Only Interviews?
This decision reflects our commitment to:
- Equity – removing financial and logistical barriers that may disadvantage some applicants.
- Consistency – ensuring that all applicants have a comparable interview experience across programs.
- Efficiency – reducing applicant stress, scheduling conflicts, and unnecessary travel while maintaining meaningful engagement between programs and candidates.
- Less clinical disruption – limiting the time away from general surgery residency programs, helping applicants remain engaged in patient care and supporting the clinical needs of their home institutions.
This policy is also aligned with recommendations from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which encourage virtual interviews as a best practice to promote fairness and accessibility.
Our Commitment
We recognize that in-person interactions have long been a valued tradition of pediatric surgery fellowship recruitment. However, our collective experience and applicant feedback show that well-designed virtual interviews allow programs to thoroughly evaluate candidates and provide applicants with the information they need to make informed decisions—while minimizing disruption to clinical services.
APSTPD remains dedicated to continually reviewing this recommendation to ensure it meets the needs of both applicants and programs while upholding the highest standards of professionalism in graduate medical education.
Upcoming APSTPD Events
Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Conference
January 14-16, 2026
Denver, CO
Pediatric Surgery Subspecialty Fellowship Recruitment
As match day for pediatric surgery fellowship is approaching, the APSTPD wants to fully support all the applicants who matched or did not match into fellowships.
As you know, any unmatched pediatric surgery candidates pursue subspecialty fellowships to strengthen their applications as well as begin their pediatric surgery clinical training. We recognize that the recruitment process can feel rushed and stressful for many applicants to find the right next step in their journey. As such, the Association of Pediatric Surgery Training Directors (APSTPD) in conjunction with the subspecialty programs have developed recruitment guidelines and timeline. These include a “no contact” and “no offer” periods to allow applicants to fully vet their opportunities.
We recognize that this may be a challenging time for some and hope this process will be smooth and uneventful.
2025 APSTPD Scholars of Inclusive Excellence Program
The Association of Pediatric Surgery Training Program Directors (APSTPD) has created a Scholars of Inclusive Excellence Program to encourage General Surgery Residents with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to consider a career in Pediatric Surgery. This is aimed at 1st and 2nd year General Surgery residents who might not be training in a program with consistent mentorship from Pediatric Surgeons.
2025 Winners
Dr. Mariana Olivencia-Delgado
PGY 2 General Surgery Resident
Howard University Hospital
Dr. Nada Fadl
PGY 2 General Surgery Resident
Temple University Hospital
Previous Winners
2024 Winners
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2023 Winners
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Resources for APSTPD Directors
Literature & Publications
Helpful resources include a variety of literature and publications produced by APSA committees.
STEPS Toolbox
The STEPS Toolbox slide presentations for senior faculty and senior residents to use for teaching medical students and junior residents
Critical Care Syllabus and Study Guide
Find infomration and tops from the APSA Surgical Critical Care Committee in the Critical Care Syllabus and Study Guide (PDF).