Leave Policy - Pediatric Surgery

General Requirements

• Applicants for pediatric surgery certification must have acquired no fewer than 96 weeks of full-time clinical activity over the two years of pediatric surgery training. The remaining eight (8) weeks are considered non-clinical time that may be used for any purpose, such as vacation, conferences, interviews, etc.
• All time away from training, including vacation and time taken for interviews, visa issues, etc., must be accounted for on the application for certification.

ABS Family Leave Policy

• The ABS acknowledges the need to take time away from training for certain significant life events. Therefore, effective as of the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter, as allowed by their programs, trainees may take up to an additional four (4) weeks of documented leave once during training to care for a new child, whether for the birth, the adoption, or placement of a child in foster care; to care for a seriously ill family member (partner, child, or parent); to grieve the loss of a family member (partner, child, or parent); or to recover from the trainee’s own serious illness. This policy is not retroactive and does not apply to leave taken prior to the 2022-2023 academic year.
• The ABS will accept 92 weeks of full-time clinical activity over the two years of pediatric surgery training while maintaining admissibility to the ABS initial certification examination process.
• Note: This is an ABS policy only and should not be confused with family leave as permitted by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). No approval is needed for this option if taken as outlined.
• Arrangements beyond the standard leave described above require prior written approval from the ABS. Such requests may only be made by the program director.

Updated: June 2022