McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is a two-year ACGME- and UCNS-accredited multidisciplinary training program, designed to prepare fellows for academic careers in neurocritical care. Each year, the program welcomes two fellows, who undergo rigorous training in a supportive and collaborative environment, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this challenging field.

Clinical Training and Rotations

Fellows benefit from a unique interdisciplinary didactic experience, training closely with fellows from anesthesiology and surgical critical care, along with participants from the pulmonary-critical care and cardiology programs. This collaboration extends to regular activities such as journal clubs and lectures. Additionally, the program includes joint rotations with pediatric neurocritical care fellows from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, enhancing the breadth of clinical exposure. Clinical rotations primarily take place in a dedicated 20-bed Neuroscience-Spine Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) that handles a diverse volume of critical patients, including cases from neurology, neurosurgery, and trauma surgery. The NSICU is one of Chicago's five Level 1 trauma centers, which means fellows encounter a wide array of cases involving penetrating and non-penetrating brain and spine injuries. Board-certified neuro-intensivists lead the critical care teams, providing fellows with a rich learning experience.

Educational Curriculum

The program offers an extensive curriculum comprising weekly lectures, journal clubs, multidisciplinary conferences, and case discussions. Weekly sessions include a neurocritical care lecture, as well as critical care didactics and monthly interdisciplinary case conferences covering topics such as ICU-EEG and POCUS. This robust framework supports a comprehensive educational journey, enabling fellows to engage deeply in critical care methodologies and protocols.

Research Opportunities

Research is a central component of the Neurocritical Care Fellowship, with a strong emphasis on fostering academic growth. Fellows are encouraged to engage in clinical research, supervised mentorship, and teaching opportunities. The program's faculty is active in research, with numerous publications in high-impact journals. Fellows are expected to contribute to original research manuscripts, and many have successfully presented their findings at national meetings, thereby enhancing their professional profiles.

Diversity and Inclusion

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine upholds a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within its fellowship programs. The institution actively seeks motivated and inquisitive fellows from various backgrounds, creating a supportive environment conducive to personal and professional success. Initiatives such as the McGaw Underrepresented Residents & Fellows Forum and the Neurosciences Health, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee highlight the program's commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive workforce.

Eligibility and Application Process

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, child neurology, or emergency medicine. Candidates are expected to be board-certified or eligible for board certification in their primary specialty at the onset of their fellowship training. The program adheres to stringent eligibility criteria to ensure a high standard of applicants. The fellowship can sponsor J1 visas, and H1B visas may be considered for exceptional candidates.

For those interested in applying, the program participates in the electronic San Francisco Match service requiring candidates to register for consideration. Applications typically open in early January, with deadlines approximately one month later. Included in the application must be a CV, personal statement detailing interest in neurocritical care, and three letters of recommendation.

Competitiveness

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship is considered highly competitive, attracting applicants from diverse backgrounds, including both MDs and DOs. The program is friendly toward international medical graduates (IMGs) and emphasizes assessing candidates based on aptitude, preparedness, and communication skills among other personal qualities.