Cook County Health’s Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program at John H Stroger Hospital stands as one of the nation’s oldest and most respected training programs, beginning its journey in 1968. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), this fellowship is dedicated to cultivating competent and well-rounded neonatologists, proficient in both clinical practice and groundbreaking research.
A core tenet of the program at John H Stroger Hospital is its deep commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of Cook County’s underserved communities. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at John H Stroger Hospital provides specialized care for infants facing a broad spectrum of medical complexities. Reflecting the diverse population it serves, the hospital welcomes families from varied racial, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. This commitment to diversity extends to the healthcare team itself, comprising experienced neonatologists, fellows, residents, neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hospitalists, and essential ancillary staff. John H Stroger Hospital also supports international medical graduates by offering H1B and J1 visa sponsorships.
The fellowship curriculum is meticulously designed to provide a robust clinical foundation. Fellows actively engage in diverse research avenues, spanning clinical, basic science, and epidemiological domains. The clinical experience, enriched by neonatal transports, instructive teaching rounds, and weekly conferences, is uniquely complemented by multidisciplinary high-risk clinics. These clinics offer invaluable opportunities to learn and provide continuous, long-term follow-up care for NICU graduates who are at risk of neurodevelopmental challenges. Recognizing the importance of scholarly pursuits, the curriculum deliberately incorporates protected time to facilitate fellows’ engagement in these critical activities.
The comprehensive training program at John H Stroger Hospital is driven by a clear set of objectives:
- To foster an optimal environment that prioritizes the well-being and meticulous care of every patient.
- To equip Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) trainees with comprehensive training in the diagnosis, critical analysis of complex clinical scenarios, and effective management of neonates and young infants.
- To provide NPM trainees with ample opportunities to progressively develop essential skills in investigative research endeavors.
- To prepare NPM trainees to cultivate and maintain strong therapeutic relationships with their patients and families.
- To empower trainees to excel as:
- Effective teachers and supervisors for junior colleagues.
- Active contributors to scholarly activities and advancements in the field.
- Lifelong learners dedicated to continuous self-improvement and education in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.
- Highly skilled consultants in the specialized domain of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.
- Competent and confident clinicians through progressive clinical, technical, and consultative experiences, enabling them to function effectively as integral members or leaders within patient care teams and contribute meaningfully as researchers, educators, health advocates, or administrators.
Through its long-standing history and dedication to comprehensive training, the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship at John H Stroger Hospital continues to shape the future of neonatal care, producing highly skilled and compassionate neonatologists prepared to meet the evolving needs of their patients and communities.
