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Neonatology-Perinatal Fellowship Program
General
Our objective is to train the next generation of neonatologists. The goal of the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program at the University of Florida is to graduate fellows with the knowledge and expertise in patient care, research, teaching, and administrative activities to be competitive for positions in either Academic or private practice settings.
Clinical Training
The program provides a progression in clinical responsibilities as the trainee advances through the three-year program. Sufficient practical experience is provided with a wide variety of patients in the delivery rooms, the NICU, referring hospitals, and the developmental follow-up clinics. The clinical training culminates in the 3rd year as an Acting Attending in the Level IV NICU and in a community Level II NICU (for outline of three years, see below).
Research Training
Basic/Translational Science
To prepare the trainee for a possible career in Academic Medicine, the program allows maximum flexibility in areas that will potentially benefit the trainee to be competitive as a junior faculty member. We offer a wide range of outstanding training opportunities in perinatal/neonatal research that are supervised by excellent mentors either located within the Division or in affiliated Departments. (http://www.peds.med.ufl.edu/research) Trainees can elect to participate in the following areas:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Immunology/Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology & Nutrition
- Hematology
- Fetal & Neonatal Physiology
- Vascular Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Therapy
- Alcohol Research
- Genetics and Metabolism
- Breast Feeding and Lactation
- Outcomes Research
- Informatics
Trainees will work closely with the faculty mentors in project development, execution and analysis. Ample opportunities to present at local and national meetings are given. Experience in manuscript and grant preparation is obtained. At the end of the fellowship training, the fellow will be at a stage to submit a K-type or similar award for research funding.
Clinical Research
Advanced Postgraduate Program in Clinical Investigation
http://www.medicine.ufl.edu/appci/
Supported by an NIH K-30, fellows can choose a pathway into clinical investigation. Formal training in clinical investigation includes graduate coursework in study design, databases, ethical conduct of research, biostatistics and related courses. Fellows will take a clinical study of their choosing and develop it through the program. At the programs conclusion, fellows may receive: 1) Master’s Science in Clinical Investigation, 2) Master’s Science in Epidemiology, 3) Master’s of Public Health (MPH)
Clinical Quality Improvement
The College of Medicine is committed to not only providing the highest level of quality heath care to our patients, but also to patients everywhere through training physicians in quality improvement techniques. The fellow will learn state-of-the-art quality measures and analysis participate in quality improvement activities in the NICU or other appropriate venues and report on these activities at the College of Medicine Yearly Quality Day Presentations as well as publish the results.
Timeline For Neonatology Fellowship
Year 1
The objective of the first year is to gain competence in the varied procedures and practices in the NICU and to begin the research career path.
- July/August: The first two months will be devoted to rapidly gaining the procedural skills necessary in neonatology. The fellow, through simulation and animal labs, gain competence in intubation, chest tube placement, umbilical catheter placement and neonatal resuscitation. They will also learn to set up and operate all of the equipment in the NICU, including conventional and high frequency ventilators, infusion pumps, amplitude-integrated EEG and cerebral oxygenation monitors. Fellows will also be assigned to the non-teaching clinical care team to learn local practices, gain hands-on procedures of intubation, umbilical catheter placement, and arterial line and PICC line placement. In addition, the fellow will assist on transports with the neonatal transport team.
- September-June: 3 rotations in Level IV NICU on the teaching service
- Follow-up Clinic: 8 clinics
- Night call: 40 nights
- Research: 6 months
Year 2
The objective of the 2nd year is to begin to gain independence for clinical decision making. During this year, gaining further competencies in teaching is expected. Second year fellows are expected to further develop their research expertise and be able to present their findings at both local and national research conferences. During the first and second years, the trainee is also urged to develop a research grant proposal under the guidance of his/her mentor.
- 3 rotations in NICU Level IV on teaching team
- Follow-up Clinic: 8 clinics
- Night call: 40 nights
- Research: 9 months
Year 3
The objective of the 3rd year is become an independent practitioner of neonatology. Of the three months in the Level IV NICU, the trainee will serve as the acting team leader, but will continue to be supervised by the neonatology faculty. They will act as consultant to referring pediatricians and will be the major educator for the housestaff and students during these months. In addition, the 3rd year fellow will spend one month in the community-based Level II nursery where he/she will gain further competencies in discharge planning, stabilization for transport and gain an appreciation for private practice neonatology. From a research perspective, the fellow should submit a manuscript by mid-year, and those choosing a research-focused career, begin a K-level funding application with their mentor.
- Follow-up Clinic: 8 clinics
- Night call: 40 nights
- Research: 8 months