ECU Health Medical Center/East Carolina University Program

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University offers a fully accredited 3-year fellowship program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, designed to facilitate fellows' growth in both clinical and academic realms. This structure enables fellows to acclimatize quickly to the program's environment and faculty, which supports their choice of academic mentors and research interests.

The clinical training occurs at ECU Health Medical Center, a prominent 900-bed facility serving as the regional referral center for 29 counties in eastern North Carolina. Within the center, the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital features a dedicated 132-bed unit, including a state-of-the-art 71-bed Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU handles approximately 1,000 admissions annually, supported by an in-house delivery service that accounts for around 3,500 births, alongside 20,000 regional births each year. The fellowship provides comprehensive clinical services backed by board-certified Neonatologists and various Pediatric and Surgical subspecialties, along with a high-risk follow-up clinic that manages around 400 infants yearly, ensuring extensive hands-on experience for fellows 1.

Academic Training and Conferences

Fellows engage in a robust series of academic responsibilities, featuring regular presentations in a variety of conferences including Research Conferences, Weekly Review Conferences, Pathology Case Reviews, Physiology Talks, and Journal Clubs. The program emphasizes clinical research while also providing opportunities for basic science research across Clinical and Basic Science Departments 2. Fellows can look forward to various educational conferences that complement clinical training:

• NICU Resident Educational Lecture: Occurring three mornings a week, this small group lecture promotes discussion on fundamental topics relevant to neonatal care.
• Monthly Clinical Controversy Conference: Fellows will research and present on a controversial topic in neonatology, fostering critical thinking and discussion.
• Journal Club: This monthly meeting allows fellows to present a chosen article, analyzing its study design and methodologies with mentorship from faculty members.

These academic sessions create an engaging learning environment, encouraging continual professional development among peers and faculty alike.

Research Opportunities

The program strongly supports fellows in pursuing both clinical and laboratory-based research projects tailored to their professional aspirations. They are encouraged to participate in national conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications, enhancing their academic credentials and knowledge dissemination in the field 3.

Support for International Applicants

The fellowship program is known for its inclusivity and support towards international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic medical graduates (DOs). For international applicants requiring visa support, the program offers sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types, ensuring eligible candidates receive the necessary legal assistance to pursue their training in the United States 4.

Application Criteria and Competitiveness

The application process is competitive, as the program seeks to attract the best candidates, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. There are specific application requirements which include year of graduation, along with a cap on the number of failed USMLE Step exams to maintain a rigorous selection process for admission into the fellowship 5.