Neurocritical Care

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, 2026.

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, 2025, through May 31st, 2025. 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

Faculty Profile

Matthew Michaels, DO

Assistant Program Director, Neurocritical Care

Clinical Assistant Professor

Faculty Profile

                           

Joshua Levine, MD, FANA

Professor of Neurology

Chief, Division of Neurocritical Care

Faculty Profile

Monisha Kumar, MD, FNCS

Director, Neuro ICU

Professor of Neurology

Faculty Profile

Andrew Kofke, MD, MBA 

Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care

Faculty Profile

                                    

                                                                                   John Chandler, MD, FACP

                                                                               Professor of Clinical Neurology

                                                                                                          Faculty Profile

Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD

Presidential Professor of Neurology

Faculty Profile 

                                                                             Andrea Schneider, MD, PhD

                                                                        Assistant Professor of Neurology

                                                                                                    Faculty Profile

Jose Pascual, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Surgery

Faculty Profile

David Fischer, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology 

Faculty Profile

Samuel Shin, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology 

Faculty Profile