How many fellows are in the Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program at UConn/Connecticut Children’s?
We have a total of 6 positions, with 2 fellows in each year of training.
What is the structure of the Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program?
Fellows do a minimum of 12 and maximum of 15 blocks of clinical service at the level 4 NICU at Connecticut Children’s main campus in Hartford. Currently, clinical service time and in house calls are weighted toward the first year of training with 1st year fellows doing 6 blocks of clinical service time, 2nd years doing 5 blocks and 3rd years 4 blocks of clinical service time.
The remaining 24-27 blocks are dedicated time to complete the scholarly product requirements for the American Board of Pediatrics.
If fellows are meeting or exceeding expectations with regard to clinical training and progress with their scholarly project, they may request 1-3 blocks of flex time to pursue global health or other electives or do additional clinical or research time as needed to fulfill individual career goals.
What are the on-call expectations?
Fellows are expected to take in-house overnight and weekend call. Their primary responsibility is to serve as team leader for the Neonatal Transport Program, responding to requests for transport from Connecticut Children’s referral base across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. When not responding to transport calls, fellows provide oversight of the NICU, respond to deliveries and complete antenatal consultations. Call is weighted toward first year. Fellows are expected to complete 60, 50 and 40 in house calls during their first, second and third years, respectively.
What options are available to fulfill the scholarly project requirement for the American Board of Pediatrics?
Fellows may participate in basic science or translational research, prospective or retrospective clinical research projects, quality improvement, and bioethics. Fellows have access to mentors and laboratories across the University of Connecticut, including UConn Health and the undergraduate campus in Storrs as well as Jackson Laboratories located on the UConn Health campus in Farmington. We are dedicated to tailoring each fellow’s scholarly project to their individual interests and career goals.
What didactic teaching sessions are offered?
Fellows are given 2-4 hour blocks of protected time each week for didactic sessions. These include a 3-year rotating Physiology/Pathophysiology curriculum based on the content specifications for the ABP Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine subspecialty training exam, a weekly fellows’ conference given by neonatal and pediatric medical or surgical subspecialists on cutting edge topics in neonatal medicine, monthly Neonatal-Perinatal morbidity and mortality conferences given jointly with Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists, a journal club, monthly Fetal Care Conference and fellow-run board review sessions. Simulation sessions are integrated into the curriculum. Fellows also participate in procedural simulation days and simulation sessions with providers in the Division of Neonatology.
Neonatal fellows also participate in Connecticut Children’s ACGME required Core Curriculum with trainees from our other fellowship programs.
What medical and surgical subspecialty services are available at Connecticut Children’s?
Connecticut Children’s has a complete service line of pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists. We have a Cardiothoracic Surgical program and an ECMO program.
Where do fellows go after completing the program at UConn/Connecticut Children’s?
Our fellows have been successful in securing positions in academic neonatology, as well as private practice. Some have pursued physician-scientist career tracks, while others have chosen more clinically-oriented positions. Our goal is to provide each fellow with the skill set they will need to pursue their individual career goals. We meet with each fellow multiple times throughout their training to discuss their goals, review development of the curriculum vitae, identify potential positions and prepare for interviews.
Where do fellows live?
In general, fellows live in the suburbs of Hartford, including West Hartford, Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, and Manchester, all within a 20 minute drive of both training locations.
What is the application process?
The University of Connecticut Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship program participates in the Match. Applications are submitted through ERAS beginning on July 1. The deadline for submitting applications is October 1.
We select our applicants based on several criteria. We consider both past academic and professional performance as well as demonstrated interest in neonatology and scholarly interests that align with areas of focus in our division. Interviews are offered and scheduled through ERAS from September through October.
Along with an individual’s application, their interview also plays a significant role in the decision making process.
Does the program offer Master Degree opportunities?
Yes! The Department of Pediatrics will support one 2nd year pediatric fellow annually to enter the Masters in Clinical and Translational Research Program (MCTR) at UConn Health. If interested, please ask your program director for additional information.