Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship
Mission & Vision
With almost 50 years of recognized excellence, our program’s goals are to train fellows to provide the highest level of clinical care in a family-centered environment, to excel in research and teaching and to contribute to the neonatology community both nationally and internationally.
Mission & Vision
With almost 50 years of recognized excellence, our program’s goals are to train fellows to provide the highest level of clinical care in a family-centered environment, to excel in research and teaching and to contribute to the neonatology community both nationally and internationally.
Program Director’s Welcome
Program Director’s Welcome
We are proud to introduce you to the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program. Due to the reputation of our division over the past 50 years, as well as educational opportunities offered, we are able to attract the most qualified and accomplished fellows from the U.S. and around the world. Our program has trained more than 120 fellows who now serve as program directors, division chiefs and academic and clinical neonatologists throughout the U.S. and in countries around the world.
The general aim of the fellowship program is to provide well-balanced neonatal/perinatal training which will result in a combination of excellence in patient-care skills, strong medical knowledge, proficiency in teaching, good interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism. On completion of training, and of utmost importance, fellows will be competent in performing basic or clinical research and advancing knowledge in the field. The ultimate goal of the training program is to prepare neonatologists who can succeed in an academic career or become role models and leaders in clinical neonatology.
Dr. Karen Young
Program Director
Dr. Ilene Sosenko
Associate Program Director
Description
The general aim of the fellowship program is to provide well-balanced neonatal/perinatal training which will result in a combination of excellence in patient-care skills, strong medical knowledge, proficiency in teaching, good interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism. On completion of training, and of utmost importance, fellows will be competent in performing basic or clinical research and advancing knowledge in the field. The ultimate goal of the training program is to prepare neonatologists who can succeed in an academic career or become role models and leaders in clinical neonatology.
Dr. Karen Young
Program Director
Dr. Ilene Sosenko
Associate Program Director
A Word from our Chief
A Word from our Chief
The Division of Neonatology at Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center has one of the largest, most well-regarded, and longest-established Level IV neonatal units in the United States. Our faculty consists of 25 full-time academic neonatologists and pediatricians who provide specialized care to hospitalized infants at Holtz Children’s Hospital each day and antenatal consultation for complex problems referred to our perinatal center. We are not only the primary intensivists for all infants admitted with diverse medical and surgical problems, but we also support the efforts of the hospital’s highly advanced fetal care center that focuses on comprehensive care of most complex surgical and cardiac conditions. A NICU-based ECMO program staffed by specially trained faculty members is integral to our division.
Our past and most recent experience has been characterized by continued success in both clinical and academic pursuits. The number of newborn intensive care admissions remains substantial and clinical outcomes are excellent. In addition, the division continues to be highly successful in its academic activities, including the cutting-edge basic and translational research done by several NIH and philanthropy-funded neonatologists, the publication of numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, the large number of research presentations at national and international research meetings, the invitation of division faculty members to give lectures throughout the world, and the attraction of high-quality neonatal fellows.
As a university-based program, we are at the forefront of leading NIH and philanthropy-funded projects in basic science, genomics, clinical trials, and various clinical studies. As a result of research conducted by our faculty and the quality improvement efforts of our teams, our outcomes are excellent, and we are proud of our high survival and low complication rates.
At the heart of our program is the division’s educational mission, reflected in a most successful neonatal training program that, over the last 50 years, has trained close to 150 neonatologists who practice in units around the world. We strive to provide our fellows with the highest quality clinical education available. Fellows train in a robust learning environment conducting research in clinical and basic science projects. In this way, our division continues contributing to the neonatology workforce by training future leaders in neonatal clinical and academic medicine.
In addition, since 1975, the division has organized the “Miami Neonatology Conference,” one of the most prestigious international postgraduate educational activities, which attracts outstanding national and international speakers and more than 1000 participants from over 50 countries each year.
Pankaj B. Agrawal, MD, MMSc
Chief, Division of Neonatology
Description
Our past and most recent experience has been characterized by continued success in both clinical and academic pursuits. The number of newborn intensive care admissions remains substantial and clinical outcomes are excellent. In addition, the division continues to be highly successful in its academic activities, including the cutting-edge basic and translational research done by several NIH and philanthropy-funded neonatologists, the publication of numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, the large number of research presentations at national and international research meetings, the invitation of division faculty members to give lectures throughout the world, and the attraction of high-quality neonatal fellows.
As a university-based program, we are at the forefront of leading NIH and philanthropy-funded projects in basic science, genomics, clinical trials, and various clinical studies. As a result of research conducted by our faculty and the quality improvement efforts of our teams, our outcomes are excellent, and we are proud of our high survival and low complication rates.
At the heart of our program is the division’s educational mission, reflected in a most successful neonatal training program that, over the last 50 years, has trained close to 150 neonatologists who practice in units around the world. We strive to provide our fellows with the highest quality clinical education available. Fellows train in a robust learning environment conducting research in clinical and basic science projects. In this way, our division continues contributing to the neonatology workforce by training future leaders in neonatal clinical and academic medicine.
In addition, since 1975, the division has organized the “Miami Neonatology Conference,” one of the most prestigious international postgraduate educational activities, which attracts outstanding national and international speakers and more than 1000 participants from over 50 countries each year.
Pankaj B. Agrawal, MD, MMSc
Chief, Division of Neonatology
Fast Facts
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Number of Fellows per Year?
3 to 4
Duration of Fellowship?
3 years
Clinical Experience
Year 1
During the program’s first year, fellows should demonstrate knowledge of basic neonatal physiology and clinical sciences relating to common neonatal problems (such as hyaline membrane disease, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, etc.), as well as problems related to the high-risk pregnancy and fetus, and issues related to long-term developmental follow-up. Fellows should be able to apply this knowledge to decisions regarding patient care, have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of these commonly occurring neonatal diseases and possess the continuing desire for lifelong learning.
Year 2
During the program’s second year, fellows should demonstrate knowledge of basic neonatal physiology and clinical sciences relating to more complex and less common neonatal problems (such as complex congenital anomalies, inborn errors of metabolism, etc.) and problems related to the high-risk pregnancy and fetus, as well as issues related to long-term developmental follow-up. Fellow should be able to apply this knowledge to decisions regarding patient care, have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of these more complex and less commonly occurring neonatal diseases and possess the continuing desire for lifelong learning.
Year 3
During the program’s third year, fellows should demonstrate knowledge of basic neonatal physiology and clinical sciences relating to neonatal problems and problems related to the high-risk pregnancy and fetus, as well as issues related to long-term developmental follow-up so that fellows will be prepared and able to successfully pass the American Board of Pediatrics’ Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Certification. Fellows should be able to apply all of their knowledge to decisions regarding patient care, have a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms of the full spectrum of neonatal diseases and possess the continuing desire for lifelong learning.
Program Objectives
Perinatal Prevention:
Understanding the morbidity in high-risk pregnancies and complications of childbirth with the objective to become familiar with a number of maternal complications which can impact the fetus and newborn.
Resuscitation and Stabilization:
Understanding how to resuscitate and stabilize a critically ill neonate with the objectives to describe steps in resuscitation and stabilization, including equipment needed and demonstrate efficient and effective resuscitation in mock codes and, if circumstances permit, under stress of actual codes.
Common Signs and Symptoms:
Understanding how to evaluate and manage common signs and symptoms of disease in high-risk newborns with the objectives of performing appropriate assessments (history, physical examination, initial diagnostic studies); formulating differential diagnosis with appropriate prioritization and formulating and carrying out a plan for continuing assessment and management.
Common Conditions:
Understanding how to manage, under the supervision of a neonatologist, common diagnoses in infants in a Level II or IV nursery with the objectives of describing the pathophysiologic basis of the disease process, describing the initial assessment plans and discussing key principles of the neonatal intensive care unit management plan.
Diagnostic Testing:
Understanding how to use and interpret laboratory and imaging studies unique to the NICU setting with the objective of ordering and interpreting laboratory and imaging studies appropriate for NICU patients, including understanding of the differences in normal values with gestational age.
Monitoring and Therapeutic Modalities:
Understanding the application of physiologic monitoring and special technology applied to the care of the fetus and newborn with the objective of learning indications and limitations, and proper use.
Management and Decision Making:
Developing a logical and effective approach to the assessment and daily management of seriously ill neonates and their families, under the guidance of a neonatologist, using decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Teamwork and Consultation:
Understanding how to function effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team member in the NICU.
Patient Support and Advocacy:
Understanding how to provide comprehensive and supportive care to the NICU infant and family.
Medical Ethics and Legal Issues:
Becoming familiar with ethical and medical-legal considerations in the care of critically ill newborns.
Your Faculty
Pankaj Agrawal, MD, MMSc
Professor, Pediatrics and Genetics
Chief, Division of Neonatology
Eduardo Bancalari, MD
Professor, Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emmalee Bandstra, MD
Professor, Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Merline Benny, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Laura Chavez, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Nelson Claure, MSc, PhD
Research Professor
Professor, Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering
Director, Neonatal Respiratory Physiology Laboratory
Teresa Del Moral, MD, MPH
Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Associate Director, Newborn Intensive Care Unit
Joanne Duara, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Shahnaz Duara, MD
Professor, Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tania Fontanez, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Marta Grisel Galarza, MD, IBCLC
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Cristina Navarrete, MD
Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Augusto Schmidt, MD
Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Ilene Sosenko, MD
Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Associate Program Director, Clinical Development and Outreach
Associate Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program
Medical Director, Newborn Services, Jackson North Medical Center
April Tan, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Jose Tolosa, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Maritza Torres, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Shu Wu, MD
Director, Neonatal Developmental Biology Lab
Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Karen Young, MD, MS, FAHA
Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics
Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program
Director, Newborn Intensive Care Unit
Alumni Placements Include:
Baystate Medical Center
Duke University
Children’s National Hospital
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Children’s
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital
Self Regional Medical Center
South Dade Neonatology
Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Tampa General Hospital
Temple University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Rochester
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Valley Children’s Hospital
Alumni Placements Include:
Baystate Medical Center
Duke University
Children’s National Hospital
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Children’s
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital
Self Regional Medical Center
South Dade Neonatology
Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Tampa General Hospital
Temple University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Rochester
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Valley Children’s Hospital