Pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
This fellowship works with these departments and clinics:
We offer a 12-month fellowship program in clinical pediatric psychology beginning in September of each year. We are excited to recruit two Pediatric Psychology Fellows 2026-2027 training year. Our two Pediatric Psychology Fellowship positions will offer trainees the opportunity to provide coverage on our inpatient consultation and liaison service and to select from a variety of subspecialty rotations to enhance their Pediatric Psychology training.
We are a member of APPIC and adhere to all membership guidelines for applicant recruitment and selection. Our program objectives and values follow the Recommendations for Training in Pediatric Psychology: Defining Core Competencies Across Training Levels.
What They‘re Saying…
“The autonomy with guidance that is provided by the attendings allowed me to develop management plans and build strong relationships with my patients and their families. The support team of APPs, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, nurse clinicians (and many more) are also very invested in the education of the fellows, and this team really does make the sometimes long hours more enjoyable as we are finding our way through fellowship.”
— Matthew Henderson, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship
Our program focuses on clinical training in psychology, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice. Our goal is to produce excellent clinical psychologists who can:
- Function independently as psychologists in a medical center and/or outpatient practice setting, providing evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment to children with a variety of medical and psychological conditions
- Acquire state licensure to practice psychology (fellowship meets criteria for licensure in Ohio)
- Possess the requisite knowledge and skills to pursue board certification in Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology
Fellows choose their focus of training based on their interest and career goals.
We are committed to training fellows who are prepared to address a variety of mental health concerns as early career psychologists. A list of specific objectives and competencies is available upon request. Fellows are evaluated on progress towards competencies quarterly.
Fellows will receive:
- Advanced training in pediatric psychology through core curriculum and general training objectives.
- Specialty training in clinical areas of interest through Individualized Training Plan and training activities
In addition to clinical rotations, Akron Children’s psychology fellows participate in weekly clinical didactics, a professional development seminar, and are required to complete a research project.
Training occurs at the Akron campus, and fellows complete training on the inpatient medical floors and in the medical ambulatory setting.
Our program offers access to:
- Large staff of psychologists to provide training
- Over 16 rotations to personalize your training plan to your career goals
- 100% of fellows are employed at the end of the fellowship, representing employment at top medical centers across the country
Fellows receive two hours each week of didactics specific to professional development, pediatric psychology, diversity and case conceptualization.
Topics include:
- Evidence-based treatment in child/pediatric psychology
- Professional conduct; ethics and law; and other standards for providers of psychological services
- Issues of cultural and individual diversity relevant to the field of psychology
- Advanced diagnosis and treatment
- Supervision skills
- Licensure and board certification in clinical child psychology
- Psychological assessment: Interviewing and clinical diagnosis
- Consultation/liaison services
- Research and other forms of scholarly inquiry
- Program evaluation or quality improvement
- Organization, management and administration issues pertinent to psychological service delivery and practice, training and research
- Addressing issues associated with healthcare disparities and racial equity in pediatric psychology
Additional educational opportunities include:
- Pediatric Grand Rounds
- Psychiatry Fellowship Seminars
- Pediatric Palliative Care Curriculum
- Schwartz Center Rounds
Applicants for Akron Children’s pediatric psychology fellowship training program will submit a letter of interest, CV, three letters of reference, and an official graduate transcript through the Centralized Application Portal.
The deadline for applications is midnight on December 15, 2025.
Eligible candidates will have completed an APA-accredited doctoral psychology training program in clinical, counseling or school psychology, and an APA- or CPA-accredited predoctoral internship program prior to beginning fellowship. Akron Children's is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
All interviews will be conducted virtually and will occur during the final weeks of January.
Questions can be directed to:
Kevin Triemstra, PhD
Pediatric Psychology Fellowship Director
Lois and John Orr Behavioral Health Center
Department of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: 330-543-3073
Ktriemstra@akronchildrens.org
Michelle Burgner
Pediatric Psychology Fellowship Coordinator
mburgner@akronchildrens.org
Additional contacts:
Shana Schuler, PhD, ABPP
Core Faculty
Pediatric Psychologist
sschuler@akronchildrens.org
Fellows at Akron Children's Hospital are provided a variety of opportunities to strengthen their clinical skills through core and elective rotations. Our fellowship's core rotation spans 12 months, during which fellows alternate every 6 months between providing coverage for the Inpatient Behavioral Medicine Consultation/Liaison (C/L) Service and the outpatient Medical Coping Clinic. In addition to these year-long core experiences, fellows can select additional clinical rotations to meet their individual professional goals. Pediatric Psychology Fellows can choose up to 4 additional, 6-month rotations.
Rotation options include:
- Hematology-Oncology
- Epilepsy and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Episodes/Functional Neurological Disorders (PNEE/FND)
- Inpatient/Day Rehabilitation Teams
- Interdisciplinary Feeding Team
- Endocrinology and Diabetes
- Healthy Active Living Clinic
- Headache Clinic
- Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic
- Center for Gender Affirming Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Sports Medicine/Sports Psychology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Autism Diagnostic Clinic
- Eating Disorders
Other rotations may be available based on your interest and professional goals.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Stipends (effective July 1, 2025)
PL-1 – $68,589
PL-2 – $69,970
Vacation
House officers are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.
Conference Time
Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.
Educational Allowance
Fellows are provided $1,200 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.
Research and Scholarship Travel
The Department of Pediatrics encourages and supports investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, the Department supports research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.
Although the policy relates to presentation at a national forum, requests for support for presentation at a regional forum are considered on a case-by-case basis. The funds can be requested once a year, for one conference.
Professional Liability
Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.
Health Benefits
Fellows and their dependents are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital.
Parking
A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.
Lab Coats
One embroidered lab coat is provided if desired.
Relocation expenses
The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.
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