University of South Florida Morsani Program

The Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of South Florida is structured to equip fellows with the skills needed to excel as clinicians, educators, and researchers in the field of neonatology. Over the course of three years, fellows gain extensive clinical experience at Tampa General Hospital, the primary teaching facility. This hospital is recognized as a Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center and handles over 7,000 deliveries annually. Its state-of-the-art Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) features 82 private rooms, allowing for focused and individualized patient care.

Fellows take on leadership roles in the Level III NICU, working closely with a multidisciplinary team that includes pediatric residents, neonatal nurse practitioners, dietitians, pharmacists, and pediatric hospitalists. The program promotes collaboration between the Neonatology Division and other specialties such as Maternal-Fetal Medicine, surgical subspecialties, and Pediatric Cardiology to ensure comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care at the USF Fetal Care Center of Tampa Bay. The program incorporates outpatient experiences through the NICU Follow-Up Clinic and the Neurodevelopmental Clinic, enhancing the fellows' understanding of neonatal outcomes. Additionally, simulation training is available at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), a hub for hands-on learning opportunities, including monthly Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) simulations.

Research is a core component of the fellowship. Each fellow is expected to complete a quality improvement (QI) project and a scholarly research project during their training. They are also encouraged to pursue clinical, translational, or basic science research aligned with their individual interests and career aspirations. The program offers structured mentorship in study design, regulatory compliance, statistical analysis, and scientific writing throughout the fellowship period. Trainees have the chance to engage in various ongoing clinical trials and quality improvement initiatives currently active in the NICU. Faculty from the Neonatology Division, along with collaborators from the USF Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, provide essential expertise across a range of research topics including neonatal nutrition, congenital infections, and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

The fellowship program also emphasizes continuous professional development through a series of didactic and research conferences. These conferences are designed to promote critical thinking and knowledge enhancement and occur regularly throughout the fellowship:

Didactic & Research Conferences

• Best Practices: Held monthly, this multidisciplinary meeting focuses on performance improvement and patient safety in the NICU.
• Fetal Board: A joint meeting between the Maternal Fetal Medicine and Neonatology Divisions that discusses complex clinical cases.
• Board Review: Led by fellows, this session prepares participants for board examinations with targeted reviews of AAP NeoPrep questions.
• Case Conference: Fellows present interesting neonatal cases for discussion, focusing on disease pathophysiology.
• Journal Club: This fellow-led conference involves critical reviews of current literature in neonatology.
• USF Perinatal Research Seminar: An interdisciplinary forum for discussing ongoing research pursuits.
• USF Pediatric Grand Rounds: A weekly conference covering a range of pediatric topics.

Training Facilities

The training facilities at Tampa General Hospital are noteworthy. The NICU is a 82-bed Level IV unit, recognized as a major referral center for high-risk pregnancies. The unit provides advanced treatment modalities such as whole body cooling for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. A collaborative approach involving neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and various support staff ensures comprehensive management of complicated neonatal cases.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

The fellowship program offers support for J-1 visas for international medical graduates who have completed medical education in accredited institutions. Applicants must have graduated from an LCME-accredited North American medical school, an AOA-accredited U.S. college of osteopathic medicine, or a respective equivalent program outside of the U.S. To apply for the fellowship, candidates are required to submit an application through the ERAS system.

This fellowship is recognized as competitive, attracting a diverse group of candidates including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. Special focus is given to applicants who exhibit strong clinical skills and a commitment to advancing the field of neonatal-perinatal medicine. Additionally, the program encourages each applicant to present their research or clinical experience that may align with ongoing projects within the division.

Current fellows collectively represent a range of experiences and backgrounds, contributing to a vibrant learning community that fosters innovation in neonatal care and research.