Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship | Icahn School of Medicine

RESIDENCIES & FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital

The Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital is a three-year program designed to train the next generation of neonatologists in clinical excellence, innovative research, and academic leadership. Fellows train primarily at The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Level IV Regional Perinatal Center. With a 46-bed, state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that receives over 6,500 deliveries annually, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital is a major referral center for complex neonatal conditions, including multi-organ system problems associated with prematurity; congenital disorders, including complex congenital heart disease; chronic lung disease of prematurity, including those with pulmonary hypertension; renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy; liver, intestinal or kidney problems requiring consultation for organ transplant; rare metabolic disorders; and congenital anomalies requiring pediatric surgical interventions.

Our program provides comprehensive exposure to the full spectrum of neonatal pathophysiology through rotations at diverse practice settings. Fellows rotate through Mount Sinai West's Level III NICU and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Hospital's community-based NICU, gaining experience with varying patient populations and health care delivery models. Fellows benefit from specialized training in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), point-of-care ultrasound, developmental follow-up care, and perinatal palliative medicine—all essential components of modern neonatal practice.

Our fellowship is distinguished by the extensive protected research time across all three years, with individualized mentorship from a scholarly oversight committee tailored to each fellow's research interests. Our structured yet flexible curriculum balances intensive clinical training with significant academic development. Fellowship graduates emerge prepared not only to provide exceptional clinical care but also to contribute meaningfully to advancing the field through research, quality improvement, and education.

The Fellowship Experience

Our comprehensive curriculum is designed specifically to support fellows in developing clinical expertise, critical thinking, and leadership skills through a combination of structured didactics and hands-on experiential learning. Our fellows engage in a core curriculum that includes weekly lectures on neonatal physiology and pathophysiology, quality improvement methodologies, and biostatistics, building a strong foundation of knowledge. Our multidisciplinary approach is reflected in weekly conferences, including the Perinatal Conference with maternal-fetal medicine, cardiology, and pediatric surgical specialties; the Radiology Case Conference, featuring fellow-selected cases; and the Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery Conference, where cardiac patients are discussed and surgical planning is delineated.

A hallmark of the fellowship is the emphasis on practical skill development through simulation and ultrasound training. Fellows participate in weekly in-situ multidisciplinary simulation sessions that strengthen their resuscitation techniques, procedural skills, and team communication within a safe, supportive environment. They also benefit from a structured point-of-care ultrasound curriculum that progresses from fundamental concepts to advanced applications, with dedicated hands-on scanning sessions tailored to their level of training. We balance clinical education with fellow wellness through a dedicated curriculum that includes resilience training, mindfulness, and facilitated discussions with trained social workers. Fellows also lead monthly journal clubs and case conferences, strengthening their ability to critically appraise literature and apply evidence to clinical practice.

Our fellows develop comprehensive clinical expertise through immersive training across three diverse neonatal care environments. The Mount Sinai Hospital NICU serves as the primary training site, where fellows care for critically ill neonates requiring a wide spectrum of medical and surgical management, including ECMO support. This Level IV center exposes fellows to the most complex neonatal conditions, including congenital cardiac defects, surgical anomalies, and rare metabolic disorders, supported by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric subspecialists.

In their second year, fellows rotate at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Hospital where they gain valuable experience in a culturally rich, community-based setting. During their third year, the rotation at Mount Sinai West offers fellows a unique pre-attending experience in a level III NICU setting, building autonomy and confidence before graduation.

Longitudinal care is emphasized at Mount Sinai. Throughout their training, fellows participate in our Developmental Follow-up Clinic, where fellows monitor NICU graduates and enhancing understanding of developmental trajectories. This experience bridges the gap between intensive care and long-term outcomes, a crucial perspective for comprehensive neonatal care.

Fellows also receive specialized training in point-of-care ultrasound, with practical applications, including line placement, hemodynamic assessments, and ultrasound-guided procedures. Additionally, our neonatal ECMO program provides fellows hands-on experience in this lifesaving therapy, supported by structured education and training to maintain the highest standards of care.

Research is a cornerstone of our fellowship program, and fellows are provided with extensive protected time for scholarly activity throughout all three years. We take an individualized approach to research activity, encouraging fellows to pursue projects aligned with their interests and long-term career goals rather than assigning predetermined topics. Each fellow is supported by a dedicated scholarly oversight committee consisting of two faculty members from the Division of Newborn Medicine and one from an outside discipline, ensuring access to broad expertise and thoughtful mentorship throughout the research process.

Our structured research timeline guides fellows from project inception through completion, with clearly defined milestones and regular oversight committee meetings to maintain steady progress. In the first year, fellows develop their research question, secure necessary regulatory approvals, and initiate preliminary data collection. The second year focuses on data collection and analysis, while the third year emphasizes manuscript preparation and presentation of findings. Fellows regularly present at Research Works-In-Progress conferences and receive support to present their work at major national and international conferences, including the Eastern Society of Pediatric Research, Pediatric Academic Society, and subspecialty meetings with financial support for travel and accommodations.

For fellows interested in further academic development, Graduate Medical Education-sponsored scholarships to pursue advanced degrees, such as a master’s in public health, clinical research, or biostatistics are available. These opportunities allow fellows to deepen their research expertise and expand their impact within the field of neonatology.

Applicants must be eligible for the American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination during the first year of their fellowship. We participate in the National Resident Matching Program® and take three fellows per academic year. We review all applications in July and August. Interviews take place in September and October.

Fellows must apply to the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)®. In addition to a completed ERAS application, fellows must submit:

A personal statement
A minimum of three letters of recommendation (including one from your Residency Program Director)

Apply Now

Meet the Director

Evelyne M St. John Sutton, MD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Pediatrics, Newborn Medicine

Dr. St. John Sutton specializes in the clinical care of newborns in the NICU and directs the simulation and debriefing efforts for the Division of Newborn Medicine.

View Profile