D65. Clinical Research Fellowship Facilitates Mentorship, Teamwork, And Productivity: Our 11-year Experience with a Cleft and Craniofacial Research Fellowship

PURPOSE: This study investigates the effect of a cleft and craniofacial research fellowship on academic productivity in a division and career prospects amongst fellows. METHODS: Research and career outcomes from three cleft and craniofacial surgeons, 14 clinical fellows, and 25 research fellows between 2010 and 2023 were examined. Academic productivity was determined by number of peer-reviewed publications indexed in PubMed and podium presentations at major conferences. Residency match statistics were recorded for eligible research fellows. RESULTS: Over this 14-year period (11 years with research fellows), the team contributed to 501 publications in 95 peer reviewed journals with 153 (31%) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 116 (23%) in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, and 32 (6%) in The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. Yearly publications increased from 15.3±7.6 per year (before fellowship) to 23.0±5.3 (with one fellow) to 38.3±12.9 (two fellows) to 81.0±5.7 (three fellows; p<0.001). There was a strong annual linear growth in publications since beginning the research fellowship (r=0.88, p<0.001). All (100%) clinical research fellows developed strong relationships with senior surgeons and all who applied into plastic surgery residency matched, a significantly higher success rate than the national average (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a cleft and craniofacial clinical research fellowship was mutually beneficial to all team members and associated with increased academic output and high match rates among fellows. The fellowship also strengthens the talent pipeline into plastic surgery by fostering meaningful mentor/mentee relationships. Future research will investigate the fellowship's role in promoting diversity and equity in cleft and craniofacial surgery.