Clinical Training

Fellows are trained in the care of critically ill neonates through clinical service rotations and in-house call in the state-of-the-art level IV neonatal intensive care unit at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. Our new NICU opened in January 2018, and boasts a dedicated procedural/surgical suite, simulation/education center, pediatric pharmacy and milk room. A dedicated neonatal MRI scanner is planned to be installed in the near future.

In this setting, our fellows acquire skills in clinical decision-making, resuscitation, and procedures. In addition, they participate in focused training in Cardiology/ Cardiothoracic Surgery and Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Fellows remain involved in the care of high-risk patients following discharge in the high-risk neurodevelopmental follow-up (GRAD) clinic. Specialized training for patients requiring inter-hospital transport or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is provided.

Overview of Fellowship Program by Year of Training

1st Year: 18 weeks on service in the intensive care unit

2 weeks on service in the continuing care nursery

2 weeks of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

12 Neurodevelopmental follow-up clinic sessions

26 weeks of research

4 weeks of vacation

In-house calls: ~55
2nd Year: 10 weeks on service in the intensive care unit

2 weeks on service in the continuing care nursery (Co-attending)

3 weeks on service in Cardiology/ CT surgery

12 high-risk neurodevelopmental follow-up clinic sessions

33 weeks of research

4 weeks of vacation

In-house calls: ~40-45
3rd Year: 10 weeks on service in the intensive care unit

4 weeks of Co-Attending service

12 high-risk neurodevelopmental follow-up clinic sessions

32 weeks of research

4 weeks of vacation

In-house calls: ~40-45
Summary over 3 years of fellowship:: 12 months of NICU service (including 6 weeks of Co-Attending service)

2 weeks Maternal-Fetal Medicine

3 weeks Cardiothoracic Surgery

~140 in-house night calls (approximate one night in eight averaged over three years)

36 High-risk neurodevelopmental follow-up clinic sessions

12 weeks of vacation

~23 months of research