Neonatology

About Our Neonatology Department

WakeMed Physician Practices Neonatology cares for well, sick and premature neonates in Wake and the surrounding counties using a family centered approach. Our provider team includes eight Neonatologists and over 35 Neonatal NPs, Pediatric NPs and PAs. We join with specialized RNs, RTs, Pharmacists, Lactation consultants, Speech and Physical Therapists, as well as other developmentalists to provide expert care for babies and families.

APPs provide evaluation and resuscitation at deliveries. Our patients include well newborns at all three WakeMed campuses as well as those needing care in our 48 bed NICU at the Raleigh campus and the smaller Special Care Nurseries at the Cary and North campuses.

Our consultants such as Pediatric Surgeons, Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Neurologists, and Radiologists help us care for patients with a broad variety of diagnoses as well as problems related to prematurity.

Neonatology Fellowship Curriculum Overview

The Neonatology APP Fellow will learn from a variety of professionals while under the direction of an APP mentor and supervising physician. Experiences will include care given in the Newborn Nursery, in the Intermediate Nursery, and in the Intensive Care setting. Prenatal care and risk factors will be integrated into each patient assessment. Instruction will also be given regarding prenatal counseling and consultation regarding the pending birth of an at-risk baby.

Competencies Covered

Fellows will participate in the admission process and learn to care for problems or the newborn such as jaundice, RDS, pulmonary hypertension, perinatal asphyxia, hypoglycemia, NAS, sepsis, pneumonia, seizures and challenges associated with prematurity. They will also receive instruction and experience in fluid and electrolyte management as well as nutrition.

Skills Taught

Skills taught in simulation and in the NICU will include resuscitation, intubation, placement of a UAC/UVC/PICC/PAL, CT insertion, assistance with cardioversion, and other procedures as needed. Certification in NRP will be offered as needed. The needs of the family as well as needs after hospitalization will also be discussed. Each Fellow will complete a Quality Improvement project and will have the opportunity to work with others as a member of a unit committee.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is offered through journal clubs, Radiology monthly reviews, and other offerings. In addition to the simulation lab, didactic sessions will be held with other provider learners as well as in individual sessions, monthly department and interdisciplinary meetings, and formal classes.

Completion

Prior to completion, the program will require the Fellow to complete a quality improvement project. The Neonatology Fellow will find a welcoming, supportive environment in which to build strong technical and management skills in order to care for any baby at WakeMed.