University of New Mexico School of Medicine Program

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque is an ACGME and UCNS accredited program providing comprehensive training in neurocritical care. With two fellowship positions available annually, candidates can choose from a two-year track for those with backgrounds in neurology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, or anesthesiology, or a one-year track for individuals who have completed a recognized critical care fellowship or neurosurgery residency. This setup allows for a tailored educational experience suitable to the fellow's prior training and career goals.

The Neurocritical Care unit is a state-of-the-art facility featuring a specialized 24-bed neurosciences critical care unit equipped with advanced technology. This includes multimodal intracranial catheters, Moberg monitors, comprehensive EEG monitoring facilities, and basic and advanced point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training. The program encompasses hands-on clinical practice, didactic teaching, and a collaborative learning environment to prepare fellows for the diverse challenges they will encounter in neurocritical care. The program emphasizes excellence in both neurocritical care and general intensive care, ensuring a broad skill set for aspiring neuro intensivists.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum is meticulously designed to offer rigorous training through various rotations. Required rotations include neuro-intensive care, critical care EEG, interventional neurology, and medical and surgical intensive care. Additionally, fellows will participate in elective rotations covering various clinical areas such as neuromuscular disorders, neuroimmunology, and neuro-oncology, among others. This structure allows for a rich educational experience, promoting clinical expertise across a wide range of neurological and critical care domains.

Fellows also engage in numerous educational activities, including monthly morbidity and mortality conferences and journal clubs, alongside weekly neurocritical care conferences and grand rounds. Evaluations occur through regular 360-degree feedback sessions aimed at refining educational objectives. The program also incorporates competency-based assessment, allowing fellows to monitor their progress throughout the fellowship.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in research throughout the fellowship, with numerous opportunities available depending on individual interests. The program supports involvement in significant clinical trials related to stroke, traumatic brain injury, and status epilepticus.

In addition to clinical research, fellows can engage in corridors of basic science research initiatives, aided by local funding opportunities and mentorship from experienced clinical researchers. Given the program’s affiliation with the Center for Brain Injury, fellows can participate in translational research, further enhancing their academic training and experience.

Patient Population and Training Environment

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is distinguished for being the only medical school in the state, with a level one trauma center and a dedicated neurocritical care unit. This setting ensures a diverse and robust patient population, exposing fellows to a wide range of neurological and neurosurgical pathologies, including traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and more rare conditions such as cerebral cavernomatous malformations and neurovascular disorders. This diversity significantly enriches the clinical learning experience.

Support and Mentoring

The fellowship program boasts a culture of supportive mentorship, with a collaborative team of faculty from neurology, trauma surgery, and critical care intensivists. This team-oriented approach provides fellows access to continuous attending support and a lively educational environment, benefiting from the perspectives and expertise of various specialists who contribute to both patient care and education.

Visa Support

The program sponsors trainees on J-1 visas. It is important for international medical graduates to understand the visa application process and ensure all necessary documentation is completed in a timely manner. Understanding the specifics of visa applications and program requirements is pivotal for successful residency placement in the program.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship program is considered highly competitive, offering a unique chance to train in a complex and dynamic environment. Applicants are expected to present a strong academic record and demonstrate resilience, commitment, and a genuine interest in neurocritical care. Prospective fellows should ideally have completed their medical education within the last two years and possess valid clinical experience in the U.S., preferably within an academic medical setting.

Additional requirements include documentation of having passed relevant USMLE exams, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement reflecting motivation and goals within the field of neurocritical care. Ensuring all application materials are carefully tailored to highlight relevant experiences will be beneficial for candidates looking to secure a fellowship position.