Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program
Curriculum
For more details see
The three-year program comprises clinical and research training. That training is supplemented by many weekly conferences and meetings. Below is a brief summary of the program curriculum.
First Year
Fellowship training begins with a one-month orientation. During July of their first year, fellows attend a lecture series entitled Introduction to Clinical Neonatology, designed to provide an evidence basis for common clinical problems. Other clinical training during the first month includes
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program Training Course
- Clinical procedure labs (eg, chest tube insertion, intubation, percutaneous central venous catheter insertion, umbilical line placement, pericardiocentesis, exchange transfusion, oscillator ventilation)
- Orientation to the NICUs and Labor and Delivery services
- Orientation to the Kangaroo Crew® air transportation
service
During the first month, fellows also begin their research training by taking the College-wide course in Fundamentals of Clinical Investigation. This course provides training in research design and methodology, biomedical statistics, and computer-assisted research techniques; it is supplemented by a statistics practicum in a small group setting. Training also is provided in computer resources. Another lecture series provides an introduction to cell biology.
During the first few months of the academic year, with guidance from the Program Director and other faculty members, fellows identify an area of interest for research and interview prospective mentors. Most fellows identify a mentor by the end of October of the first year.
The emphasis during the remainder of the first year is clinical training. Seven months are assigned to NICU rotations at Texas Children’s Hospital. The remaining five months are devoted to research.
Second and Third Years
For more details see
Emphasis on clinical training in the first year allows uninterrupted protected time for research training during the second and third years. During each of the second and third years of training, two to three months are spent on NICU rotations at Texas Children’s Hospital or at the Ben Taub General Hospital. One month of the second year is devoted to an experience in high-risk perinatal medicine and participation in the developmental and medical follow-up programs.
The remaining eight to nine months during these years are devoted to research. Clinical duties assigned during these periods are limited to call nights. This blocked time affords fellows an opportunity to make significant progress in a project.
