University of Hawaii Program

The University of Hawaii Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine offers a unique fellowship experience in the context of its military-civilian partnership between Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC), Tripler Army Medicine Center (TAMC), and the Hawaii Residency Programs, Inc (HRP). This ACGME-accredited program, which was established in 1987, represents the first military-civilian collaboration in graduate medical education in the United States and seeks to train pediatricians (both military and civilian) to become competent neonatologists proficient in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

The fellowship consists of three years, divided into 13 four-week blocks each year, comprising both clinical and research training. During the fellowship, participants will engage in comprehensive training with over 1,000 preterm or ill infants cared for annually at KMCWC, which houses a Level IV NICU, and 400 neonates at the Level III NICU at TAMC. The program is designed to foster collaboration and is focused on enabling fellows to balance compassionate clinical practice with the evolving science of neonatology.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured into several essential components:

• Clinical Rotations: Fellows will participate in 14 clinical blocks, with seven blocks at KMCWC and seven at TAMC. This engagement is crucial for managing high-acuity cases across the respective NICUs.
• Research Training: The program incorporates 21 blocks dedicated to research activity, including mandatory completion of both a research and quality improvement project, leveraging facilities at KMCWC, TAMC, and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (UH JABSOM).
• Additional Blocks: Two-week blocks in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Pediatric Cardiology supplement the clinical experience, with the former providing insights into pregnant patients and the latter focusing on conditions that impact pediatric cardiac health.

These experiences enhance the fellows’ practical skills, particularly in an environment known for high clinical volumes of complex cases.

Educational Conferences

Regularly scheduled educational conferences form the backbone of the training experience:

• Weekly conference sessions to discuss relevant cases and emerging findings in the field
• Bimonthly Quality Improvement and Safety meetings
• Participation in a joint conference with other neonatal-perinatal fellowship programs throughout the West Coast, fostering a collaborative learning environment

Conference attendance underlines the importance of continued education and peer collaboration, offering a platform to engage with specialists in the field.

Application and Eligibility Criteria

Potential applicants should note that the program is highly competitive, welcoming both MD and DO applicants. Specific eligibility requirements are as follows:

• A valid ECFMG certification is required for international medical graduates (IMGs).
• Fellows from the program will typically be J-1 visa sponsored, given the international nature of some applicants.
• A preference for candidates graduating from medical school within the last 5 years may be noted, but this is not an absolute disqualifier.

Additionally, the program may impose certain application restrictions, such as a limit on failed USMLE scores, reflecting its commitment to maintaining rigorous standards of competency.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities abound within the partnership’s framework, with an emphasis on neonatology’s most pressing areas of inquiry. Fellows are encouraged to participate actively in ongoing research projects at KMCWC and TAMC, which may include neonatal resuscitation, congenital heart disease treatments, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing care delivery in the NICUs.

Fellowships and Unique Opportunities

A unique aspect of this fellowship is the involvement in patient transport services starting in the second year. Here, fellows are trained to transport neonatal patients both to and from the hospital, including military and mainland transfers when necessary. This role not only supplements clinical skills but broadens the overall exposure to various healthcare systems.

Final Thoughts

Grads can expect to emerge as resilient, resourceful, and adept practitioners capable of navigating the complex landscape of neonatal care, equipped to fulfill the dual roles of compassionate care and scientific inquiry in neonatology.

The program is actively involved in ensuring a supportive training environment marked by a commitment to both military and civilian healthcare advancements, making the University of Hawaii Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine a robust choice for aspiring neonatologists.