Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship
An Unparalleled Program: Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship
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Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship
Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers a one-year Neurosurgery Fellowship for physicians pursuing training with a pediatrics focus. The ACPNF-accredited program also offers an optional second year training to fellows interested in additional clinical and research experience. Our goal is to provide surgical, clinical and didactic experiences that prepare each fellow to be a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon comfortable with all aspects of neurosurgery. Program faculty members are board eligible/certified by The American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery.
Welcome to the Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a leading institution in North America and the second-largest pediatric hospital in the United States. Our program offers an unparalleled opportunity for fellows to engage in a comprehensive and state-of-the-art curriculum that covers the full spectrum of pediatric neurosurgical subspecialties.
Beyond the typical caseload of a pediatric neurosurgery training program, our fellowship offers extensive training in spinal deformity, peripheral nerve surgery, prenatal myelomeningocele closure, and both endovascular and open vascular neurosurgery for vascular malformations, along with epilepsy surgeries, including laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for disconnection. We are also among the select centers in North America capable of performing advanced neuromodulation techniques, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), for pediatric patients.
As a leader in selective dorsal rhizotomy surgeries and brain tumor management, Nationwide Children’s houses the only accredited laboratory that analyzes all pediatric brain tumors resected in North America as part of the Molecular Characterization Initiative under the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI). This places our trainees at the cutting edge of tumor genomics and genetics, giving them a substantial advantage in their professional development.
Join us at Nationwide Children’s to advance your career under the mentorship of our board-certified/eligible faculty and contribute to shaping the future of pediatric neurosurgery. Download Our Neurosurgery Fellowship Presentation ›
Honor Roll
Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked no. 6 by U.S. News & World Report for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Download Our Neurosurgery Fellowship Brochure
What You Need to Know
System Wide Collaboration
- Level-I Pediatric Trauma Center
- Neurology/Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology ranked in top 10 in U.S.
- CARF-accredited Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Program
- Groundbreaking Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program
- Advanced Craniofacial Center
- Comprehensive Neuroradiology Services
Collaborative and Leading-Edge Specialty Programs
Brain and Spine Tumors
As an internationally recognized program for neurosurgical management of malignant and nonmalignant brain tumors, Nationwide Children’s is uniquely poised to offer the most advanced care for pediatric central nervous system tumors. Our approach begins with a true emphasis on quality of life, reduced side effects and better outcomes.
Craniosynostosis
Children with abnormal fusion of growth plates in the skull require special care. Our pediatric neurosurgeons are trained in treating children with craniosynostosis, using the most advanced surgical techniques and equipment available. Whenever possible, we conduct minimally invasive surgeries requiring only small incisions. Whether performing traditional surgery or a minimally invasive procedure, our goal is to correct the shape of a child’s head and allow normal brain growth, all to deliver the best outcome for every child.
Epilepsy
We are leading the way in the growing field of epilepsy surgery with innovative, patient-centered care and collaborative research. Our first-class electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring equipment, as well as advanced imaging techniques, such as SISCOM studies, PET scans and functional MRI, help identify the origin of seizures – and provide greater precision during treatment. Recently adopted technologies of stereotactic laser ablation and stereotactic EEG provide minimally invasive options, representing an important paradigm shift in the field of epilepsy surgery. Through the Epilepsy Research Program, neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-radiologists, rehabilitation specialists, and cognitive neuropsychologists collaborate in a team setting. Research interests include infants with medically intractable epilepsy, stereotactic laser ablation, intracranial EEG, quality of life measures, and clinical outcomes following surgery. Collaboration on multiple projects has led to published manuscripts, abstract presentations at national conferences, and invited didactic presentations at national meetings.
Spasticity
Patients from around the country visit Nationwide Children’s for the expert care provided by our specially trained neurosurgeons. We offer surgical procedures that include selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and placement of baclofen pumps. Evaluations are performed in a multidisciplinary surgical spasticity clinic, further demonstrating our commitment to the complex needs of each individual patient. Our SDR program is one of the fastest growing of its kind in the nation.
Neurotrauma
Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury are active clinical and research areas for the Neurosurgery team. As part of the Nationwide Children’s Level-1 Trauma Program, our neurosurgeons provide round-the-clock coverage for the Emergency Department, enabling us to quickly determine interventions that are most likely to achieve best outcomes for patients with traumatic injuries. Neurosurgery is involved in care for more than 300 traumatic injuries per year.
Peripheral Nerve
In conjunction with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, our neurosurgeons specialize in diagnoses involving the brachial plexus and peripheral nerves. Our expertise includes explorations and repair, neurolysis, decompression, neurotization (nerve transfers) and surgical management of peripheral nerve lesions.
Clinical Experience
- Participation in outpatient clinic for evaluation of new patients and follow-ups
- Scrub into an average of 300+ operative cases a year, treating brain tumors, epilepsy, traumas, craniosynostosis, Chiari malformation, spinal dysraphism, and vascular and spasticity conditions.
- Patient consultations in our Level-1 trauma center
Academic and Didactic Experience
- Protected research time with the opportunity to lead and assist in publications
- Complete a Nationwide Children's Hospital required Quality Improvement project
- Morning rounds: 7 a.m. every weekday
- Epilepsy conference: 3 p.m. on Mondays
- Neuropathology conference: 5 p.m. on Tuesdays
- Resident lectures, Trauma Grand Rounds, Neuroradiology conference: on Wednesdays
- Ohio State University Neurosurgery Grand Rounds: on Thursdays
- Multi-disciplinary Neuro-Oncology conference: 7:30 a.m. on Fridays
- Opportunity to attend an expenses-paid national meeting during fellowship period for the presentation of a paper that emanates from our department
- A Master of Arts in Educational Studies, Biomedical Education at The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology is also available
Meet Our Faculty
Certificates and Experience
Our program includes certification in Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. As site member of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) our fellows are exposed to standardized care in hydrocephalus and extensive experience in neuroendoscopic procedures like endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and choroid plexus cauterization (CPC).
Our ACPNF-accredited program begins every July and spans one year, with meticulous design to prepare fellows for board certification and proficiency in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery. The program's robust clinical exposure includes joining a team of two residents at any one time and six nurse practitioners, performing approximately 850 surgeries annually, and managing a diverse range of complex cases in a high-volume setting.
Salary and Benefits
Our fellows are hospital employees, and as such, they are eligible for the same benefits other full-time staff receive (with the exception of paid time off, which is outlined.)
Research
Research education and training are vital to the mission of Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. As a top-ten free-standing pediatric research center and an academic affiliate of The Ohio State University, The Research Institute has an outstanding faculty, dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of scientists in pediatric research.
Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Advocacy
Advocacy training fosters and encourages interest in child advocacy by early involvement and exposure to its many aspects such as addressing social determinants of health, community collaboration, health finance, health policy and legislative advocacy.
How Many Fellows Do You Take Per Year?
The program admits one fellow per year.
What Criteria Must You Meet to Apply?
Prospective applicants should have completed neurosurgery residency at an ACGME accredited program. Applicants must submit all required documentation and complete an interview to be considered. Interested applicants should apply by sending their curriculum vitae, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a wallet sized color photograph, and USMLE or COMLEX scores to Katelyn Peacock at Katelyn.Peacock@NationwideChildrens.org.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted through the San Francisco Matching Program. All applications are reviewed, and if your application meets our selection criteria, you will receive an email inviting you to schedule your interview.
Please contact us if you have questions regarding your application status.
Contact Information
Please contact us for more information. If you would like us to send you an electronic presentation with complete details about Neurosurgery, be sure to request it in your email.
Jonathan Pindrik, MD
Program Director
(614) 722-2014
Jonathan.Pindrik@NationwideChildrens.org
Albert Isaacs, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director
(614) 722-2014
Albert.Isaacs@NationwideChildrens.org
Katelyn Peacock
Program Coordinator
(614) 722-4375
Katelyn.Peacock@NationwideChildrens.org
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