Neurocritical Care Fellowship 

Overview


The Penn Neurocritical Care Fellowship Program was established in 2006 and offers a 1–3-year fellowship depending on individual career interests. Our program is based on the curriculum defined by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (link to UCNS content outline). Training occurs at the 24 bed Neuro-ICU in the Pavilion of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the 12 bed Neuro-ICU at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Both Neuro-ICU’s are staffed by our distinguished faculty and supported by outstanding nurses and advanced practice providers. Our program offers exposure to state of the art neuromonitoring techniques which provides our fellows a truly world-class training experience. Upon completion of their training, fellows will be board eligible in Neurocritical Care.

Fellows also rotate through the Surgical and Trauma and Medical ICUs and the Acute Stroke Service. Electives are available in Neurosurgery, Anesthesia, Interventional Neurology, Neuroelectrophysiology, Neurosonology, Intraoperative Monitoring, Simulation Medicine, and Pediatric Intensive Care.

Fellowship Curriculum

Fellows are trained in the diagnosis and management of patients with severe brain and spine trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, neuromuscular and epilepsy emergencies, brain tumors, and central nervous system autoimmune and infectious diseases. The program equips fellows with core critical care skills including airway and ventilator management, bedside ultrasound techniques, cardiopulmonary support, and invasive bedside procedures. Fellows will participate in weekly didactic conferences on key topics in neurocritical care, general critical care, and stroke. Fellows will be expected to develop and present an independent clinical or basic science research project with a faculty mentor and can participate in ongoing clinical trials.

Application Process

Please submit your application through the SF Match website to apply for our Fellowship class starting on July 1st, 2025.

Application Requirements:
  • professional photo 
  • personal statement  
  • curriculum vitae
  • USMLE scores, Steps 1, 2 and 3 
  • Three letters of recommendation

Applications will be accepted from January 2nd, 2023, through May 31st, 2023. Early submission is encouraged. Our team will reach out to selected candidates to coordinate interviews. Thank you for your interest in our program!


Neurocritical Care Faculty



Danielle Sandsmark, MD, PhD

Program Director, Neurocritical Care
Assistant Professor of Neurology

Matthew Michaels, DO

Assistant Program Director, Neurocritical Care
Clinical Assistant Professor


                           

Joshua Levine, MD, FANA

Professor of Neurology
Chief, Division of Neurocritical Care


Monisha Kumar, MD, FNCS

Director, Neuro ICU
Professor of Neurology



Andrew Kofke, MD, MBA 

Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Faculty Profile







Atul Kalanuria, MD, FACP, MHCI

Director, Penn Neurocitical Care Clerkship
Director, Penn Neurocritical Care Sub-Internship
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology




                                    

 John Chandler, MD, FACP

 Professor of Clinical Neurology





Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD

Presidential Professor of Neurology

 Andrea Schneider, MD, PhD

 Assistant Professor of Neurology



Jose L. Pascual, MD


Jose Pascual, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Surgery




Michael Scott, MD  

Division Chief, Critical Care Medicine
Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care


David Fischer, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology 


Samuel Shin, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology 






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Contact Information

Department of Neurology
3 Gates, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Frances E. Jensen, MD, FACP
Chair of Neurology

Email PennNeuroFellowships@uphs.upenn.edu