University of North Carolina Hospitals Program

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship Program at University of North Carolina Hospitals offers a comprehensive training path aimed at developing future leaders in the management of critically ill neurological patients. Its mission emphasizes the provision of exceptional education and hands-on experience tailored to the needs of fellows from diverse medical backgrounds, including neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and more.

Program Features

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship focuses on training fellows to thrive in acute care neurology and intensive care settings. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating diverse training experiences from emergency medicine to critical care medicine under the guidance of board-certified faculty, specialized pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and nursing staff.

Curriculum and Rotations

The program spans either 12 or 24 months, depending on the fellow's previous training background. During this period, fellows participate in extensive clinical rotations:

• Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) – up to 12 months
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) – 2 months
• Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) – 2 months
• Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) – 2 weeks
• Elective rotations in areas such as Neuro-Interventional Radiology, Neurosurgery, and Stroke Neurology.

Fellows will receive focused training on assessing and managing critically ill neurologic patients suffering from conditions such as acute strokes, traumatic brain injury, and status epilepticus. They are also equipped with skills for various critical care procedures like intubations, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, and point-of-care ultrasound interpretation.

Training Environment

The fellowship is conducted in state-of-the-art facilities at UNC Hospitals, which boasts over 1,000 acute care beds and includes a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and a Level IV Epilepsy Center. The dedicated Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, which has 22 ICU beds, allows fellows to apply their learning in a high-acuity environment.

Research Opportunities

Research is a pivotal component of the fellowship. UNC serves as a joint Regional Coordinating Center for StrokeNet, a NIH-funded network geared towards advancing acute stroke treatment and recovery. Fellows with an interest in research can participate in an additional year of fellowship focusing on stroke research, which includes participation in national training seminars.

Special Application Requirements

Applicants to the Neurocritical Care Fellowship must be Board Certified or Board Eligible by an appropriate medical board, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties. A completed residency in one of several specialties is necessary, including neurology, neurosurgery, or internal medicine. Other application requirements include:

• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae
• USMLE/COMLEX transcripts
• Letters of reference
• ECFMG certificate and visa, if applicable

The program provides visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas, supportive of international medical graduates seeking to train in the United States.

Competitiveness

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship is recognized as being highly competitive, attracting candidates from a variety of backgrounds. The program ensures a welcoming environment for both MD and DO graduates as well as International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Salaries and Benefits

The salaries for fellows vary based on their prior training and are determined by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office. Additional benefits include structured educational opportunities, mentorship programs, and access to numerous learning resources.

Focused Education

Fellows engage in a dedicated educational structure, including:

• Monthly journal clubs
• Biweekly fellow lectures
• Protected educational days
• Guest lectures from both UNC and outside institutions

This robust educational framework aims to provide fellows with both the academic and clinical skills needed to excel in neurocritical care.