Pediatrics

Training Support

Alumni gathering after Whitney Cale lectureship

Neonatology Division Conferences

  • Topics Conference
  • Case Conference
  • Journal Club
  • Morbidity and Mortality Conference
  • Neonatology-Pathology Conference
  • Fetal and Neonatal Care Conference
  • Joint Pediatric Surgery and Neonatology Conference

All Pediatric Fellows will participate in the Department of Pediatrics Core Curriculum which includes monthly Topics Conferences and Pediatric Fellows College that meets twice a year for half day. Teaching sessions include topics to help fine tune skills for scholarly and clinical work and life after fellowship.

Topics include:

  • Finding a Research Mentor
  • Clinical and Laboratory Research Methodology and Study Design
  • Various Career Paths
  • CV Preparation
  • Job Search and Negotiation
  • Scientific Dissemination 
  • Manuscript and Grant Writing
  • Scholarly Work in Clinical Settings (QI initiatives)
  • Ethics
  • Biostatistics
  • Communication Skills/Difficult Situations
  • Effective Teaching Methods for all Learners
  • Equity in Health Care Delivery
  • Life/Work Balance and Well-Being

In addition, The Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute (CDI) (uclahealth.org/departments/pediatrics/cdi/seminars-symposiums) offers monthly talks/seminars on various topics in pediatric health.

Neonatal Perinatal Simulation Program

Simulation training is a mainstream educational method for residency and fellowship trainees. The simulation training begins during orientation of first year fellows and continues throughout their fellowship. Trainees learn to actively apply and incorporate knowledge and cognitive functions in specific crisis management scenarios.
 
A detailed overview of our simulation training can be found on our Neonatal Perinatal Simulation Program pamphlet.
Neonatal Perinatal Simulation Program
 
 
 
 

Elective Rotations & Specialized Training

Fellows have access to a diverse range of electives and rotations designed to enhance and complement core NICU training:

  • Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU)
  • Pain Management and Palliative Care
  • Advanced Imaging (Radiology and Cardiology)
  • Maternal–Fetal Medicine
  • Global Health
  • Anesthesiology
  • Antenatal Counseling

These experiences provide fellows with broader clinical perspective, multidisciplinary collaboration, and advanced skills relevant to complex neonatal care.

 

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Training

Biannual hands-on POCUS simulation workshops are integrated into the fellowship curriculum to build procedural skill and diagnostic confidence.

Fellows receive training in POCUS-guided procedures, including:

  • Peripheral IV placement
  • Arterial line insertion
  • Lumbar puncture
  • Paracentesis
  • Pericardiocentesis
  • Thoracentesis

In addition, fellows learn to use bedside ultrasound to assess:

  • Cardiac function and anatomy
  • Pulmonary pathology
  • Abdomen

 

Wellness & Well-Being Support

We are committed to supporting the personal and professional well-being of our fellows. Training in neonatology is deeply meaningful and can also be emotionally and physically demanding — our program prioritizes a culture of support, balance, and resilience.

Fellows have access to a wide range of institutional wellness resources, including:

  • UCLA Well-Being Policy https://medschool.ucla.edu/ucla-gme-wellbeing-policy
  • UCLA Health Physician and Faculty Wellness Program https://mednet.uclahealth.org/physician-health/
  • UCLA Integrative Medicine https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/integrative-medicine
  • UCLA Resident and Fellow Benefits https://www.ucresidentbenefits.com/ https://www.ucresidentbenefits.com/experienced-a-change-in-your-life/
  • Fatigue Mitigation Transportation Program https://medschool.ucla.edu/ucla-gme-fatigue-mitigation-transportation-policy
  • UCLA GME Leave Policy https://medschool.ucla.edu/sites/g/files/oketem456/files/media/documents/UCLA-GME-LEAVE-POLICY.pdf
  • Ginger: Virtual Therapy and Psychiatry https://www.ucresidentbenefits.com/health-benefits/behavioral-health/app-based-coaching-therapy-and-psychiatry/
  • UCLA Psychological and Mental Health Services https://medschool.ucla.edu/community-and-equity/support-and-reporting/support-resources/mental-health#:~:text=UCLA%20Counseling%20and%20Psychological%20Services%20(CAPS),-MD%20STUDENTS%20AND&text=CAPS%20offers%20confidential%20counseling%20and,term%20therapy%20in%20the%20community.
  • Behavioral Wellness Center https://medschool.ucla.edu/faculty-and-staff/wellness/behavioral-wellness-center
  • UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/marc
  • Salary and Benefits https://medschool.ucla.edu/education/residencies-and-fellowships/incoming-residents/salary-and-benefits#:~:text=Fatigue%20Mitigation%20Transportation%20Program,to%20work%20the%20next%20day.