A primary objective of the fellowship program is to train future academic neonatologists. To this end, nearly two-thirds of the three-year training period is devoted to research activity. Most of this time is spent in blocked months during the second and third years of fellowship training.
We believe the scholarly experience should focus on the process rather than the product. When a rigorous, hypothesis-driven or project or a project focused on critical thinking is well executed, with experienced mentorship, a high quality product will naturally follow. Prioritizing skills development in order to promote academic faculty or careers in clinical leadership is an important focus for our program.
Selecting an Interest and Mentor
During orientation and for the first few months, fellows identify areas that interest them and explore opportunities for their research activities. In consultation with the program director and standing Scholarship Oversite Committee (SOC), fellows are encouraged to meet investigators working in their field of interest and to visit laboratories.
Completing a Project
Once a mentor is selected, the fellow and mentor identify a specific research project and a training curriculum. A standing Scholarship Oversight Committee will review the proposed project for approval. The fellow and mentor will meet with the standing SOC once during first year and two times during second and third year of fellowship. The Program Director, the standing SOC, and the Mentor are designated to approve the scholarly activity and resulting work product for submission to ABP upon completion of the fellowship program.
By the end of their second year, fellows are well established in their own research projects. During the third year, fellows present their data at national meetings and prepare a manuscript for publication.
