Neonatal-Perinatal

The Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program, held jointly by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Christiana Care Health System (Christiana Hospital) seeks to provide a training experience leading to a career in either academic or clinical neonatology.

To achieve this goal, the program has been devised to provide a well-rounded experience in the clinical care of the well and critically ill newborn infant and thorough grounding in the principles of clinical and basic science research. Fellows are trained in the comprehensive management and follow-up care of the sick infant, as well as evaluation and management of the high risk pregnancy. Fellows are carefully guided through the preparation, implementation, data analysis, and publication of a minimum of scholarly activities under faculty supervision, as required by the Sub-Board in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine of the American Board of Pediatrics.

Finally, trainees in this fellowship program learn how to administer an intensive care unit/transitional care nursery complex, including preparation and submission of budgets, interfacing with hospital administration, and working with both public and private sector organizations that are concerned with perinatal and neonatal care and health care reimbursement. While the scope of this preparation is primarily directed towards the neonatology fellow who seeks a career in academic neonatology, the extensive clinical experience of each member of the fellowship program will allow for the independent practice of neonatology in a primarily clinical setting, should their career ultimately evolve in that direction.

Clinical Training in Neonatology

With respect to the clinical experience, fellows in the Thomas Jefferson University program spend an equal time at both Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Christiana Hospital. The training program is a three year experience in neonatal-perinatal medicine. Emphasis during the first two years of the training program is on clinical care of the well child, the critically ill neonate, and the follow-up care of the former high risk infant. Planning and initiation of research is strongly encouraged and supported.