UPMC Medical Education (Pittsburgh) Program

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship at UPMC is designed to provide comprehensive training in managing critically ill patients with neurological conditions. Established in 2012, it offers a one- or two-year program that is accredited by both the ACGME and the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS). Most fellows typically undertake the two-year training pathway, although a one-year option is available for candidates who have already completed another critical care fellowship or possess prior neurosurgical training.

This fellowship is part of a unique Multidisciplinary Critical Care Training Program (MCCTP), integrating specialists from various fields including Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, fostering a collaborative educational environment. The program combines hands-on clinical practice, workshops, medical simulations, and didactic education to enhance both academic productivity and professional development of trainees.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum focuses on critical care aspects pertinent to neurological diseases, encompassing topics such as cerebrovascular diseases, neurotrauma, seizures, post-cardiac arrest care, central nervous system infections, neuro-oncology, and perioperative neurosurgical care. Additionally, the fellowship covers the management of patients with sepsis, acute respiratory failure, and other critical illnesses.

Clinical Rotations

Year 1

The first year consists of 13 four-week blocks, including eight blocks of critical care training with a neurological concentration. Trainees will engage in rotations across various specialties. A typical year 1 rotation may include:

• Mercy Medical Surgical ICU - 1 block
• Mercy Medical-Neuro ICU - 1 block
• Neuro-Anesthesia - 1 block
• Neurovascular ICU - 3 blocks
• Neurotrauma ICU - 1 block
• Transplant ICU - 1 block
• Stroke Service / Rapid Response Team - 1 block
• Trauma/Surgical ICU - 1 block
• VA and POCUS training - 1 block
• Electives - 2 blocks

Year 2

During the second year, fellows gain mastery in critical care and academic skills. They will have more flexibility in scheduling their clinical time and will focus on leading scholarly projects. The typical rotations for year 2 include:

• Research/Scholarly Projects/Professional Development - 8 blocks
• Neuro-interventional OR Post-Cardiac Arrest Service - 1 block
• Cardiothoracic ICU - 1 block
• Neurotrauma ICU - 1 block
• Neurovascular ICU - 1 block
• NICU Leadership - 4 weeks

Research and Scholarly Activities

The program emphasizes significant academic research opportunities. UPMC boasts one of the leading research programs nationwide, where fellows can participate in various projects, including NIH T32 programs, quality improvement initiatives, and educational research. The program supports fellows in forming mentorship teams to guide their scholarly interests.

Special Activities and Educational Enhancements

The fellowship incorporates unique educational activities such as hands-on simulation workshops, a Critical Care Communication Course for end-of-life discussions, and leadership and professionalism training. Weekly interactive lectures and departmental conferences further enhance the learning experience.

Application Process and Requirements

The fellowship participates in the Neurocritical Care Society Fellowship Match via SF Match. Candidates are selected based on their qualifications, with interviews typically held virtually from February through June. After acceptance, all fellows must secure a graduate medical training license, with support facilitated by the program.

Visa Support

This fellowship offers visa sponsorship for H-1B visas. However, candidates holding J-1 visas may not be supported.

Competitiveness and Application Prerequisites

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship at UPMC is highly competitive. The program is friendly toward DO and IMG applicants, aiming to select a diverse group of candidates for further academic career advancement. Application prerequisites include a graduate year from an accredited residency program; however, specific details regarding failed STEP exams or years since graduation were not mentioned.

Training Sites

Fellows benefit from a multitude of specialized ICUs within UPMC, including three Neuro-ICU settings comprising over 40 beds, partnered with robust collaborative approaches from multiple specialties to maximize patient recovery and education.