NNCCHarvey Sarnat NNCC FellowshipUniversity of Calgary
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Governance & People

Transparent committees, explicit policies and a named multidisciplinary team — the structures that make the fellowship safe, fair and reproducible by other centres.

Oversight

Two Governing Committees

AFC Program Training Committee

Develops, supervises and evaluates the fellowship so trainees attain expert-consultant competence. Members serve renewable three-year terms.

Responsibilities

  • Admissions — selection criteria, recruitment and candidate selection.
  • Training program — curriculum across neurology, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, neuropathology, follow-up clinics and simulation, at both NICUs.
  • Evaluation — maintains assessment tools, ratifies Competence Committee decisions, oversees remediation and appeals.
  • Supervision & environment — ensures a safe, respectful, harassment-free learning environment.
  • Program evaluation & QI — annual review of strengths and gaps, driven by trainee feedback.

AFC Competence Committee

Monitors trainee progress and determines progression, readiness for enhanced responsibility and achievement of competencies. Meets four times per year; trainees are not members.

Operating principles

  • Strict confidentiality, shared only on a professional, need-to-know basis.
  • Decisions based on documented assessment data available at the time of review.
  • Decisions weigh recent performance, longitudinal patterns, patient-safety needs and supervision requirements.
  • A rotating primary reviewer synthesizes each trainee's progress and recommends a decision.
  • All decisions are ratified by the Program Committee before being communicated.
A Safe Place to Learn

Supervision, Safety & Wellness Policies

Trainee Supervision

Competency-based supervision that protects patient safety while building independence. Faculty provide structured orientation, review individualized learning plans, give graded responsibility and timely feedback, and remain available for escalation. Fellows identify themselves clearly as trainees acting for a named supervisor, seek help when situations exceed their experience, and may report supervision concerns to the Program Director.

Trainee Safety

Physical, psychological and professional security is a shared responsibility across the Cumming School of Medicine, AHS, training sites, faculty and trainees. Covers safe transport and after-hours support, secure call rooms, occupational health and exposure protocols, immunizations, ergonomics for procedures, accommodations for pregnant trainees, and site emergency orientation. Learning environments are free from intimidation, harassment and discrimination.

Wellness & Support

Trainees in distress are supported and may be granted leave as appropriate, with confidential access to wellness resources:

  • PGME Resident Affairs & Physician Wellness
  • AHS Employee & Family Assistance Program
  • University of Calgary Wellness Services
The Team

Program Leadership

A multidisciplinary faculty spanning Neonatology, Pediatric Neurology, Neuroradiology, Neurophysiology and Pediatric Neurosurgery across both teaching sites.

KM
Dr. Khorshid Mohammad
Program Director
Alberta Children's Hospital
SG
Dr. Sujith Gurram
Co-Program Director
Alberta Children's Hospital
HZ
Dr. Hussein Zein
NNCC Lead · Competence Committee Chair
Foothills Medical Centre
LL
Dr. Lara Leijser
Clinician Scientist · Research Director
Foothills Medical Centre
PM
Dr. Prashanth Murthy
Neonatologist · Clinical Professor
Alberta Children's Hospital
ME
Dr. Michael Esser
Director, Neuro-Critical Care · Pediatric Neurologist
Alberta Children's Hospital
KW
Dr. Kristine Woodward
Pediatric Neurologist · NCC Education Lead
Alberta Children's Hospital
MD
Dr. Mary Jansen Dunbar
Pediatric Neurologist · Academic Advisor
Alberta Children's Hospital
JS
Dr. James Norman Scott
Pediatric Neuroradiologist · Clinical Professor
Foothills Medical Centre
JR
Dr. Jay Riva-Cambrin
Professor, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Alberta Children's Hospital
MJ
Dr. Marina Journault
Director, Neonatal Follow-up Clinic
Alberta Children's Hospital
NB
Naureen Bhamani
Neurophysiologist · Clinical Neurophysiology Coordinator
Alberta Children's Hospital
LF
Leah Foster, NNP
Neurocritical Care Nurse Practitioner
Alberta Children's Hospital
HT
Henry Teng
Program Administrator
University of Calgary
Join Us

How to Apply

Eligibility

Royal College certification, eligibility, or registration in an accredited residency in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine or Neurology (pediatric stream), or equivalent. To complete the Royal College Competency Portfolio, trainees must be certified in their entry-route discipline. International graduates may train with sponsoring-institution or government funding.

What to submit

  • A letter of intent showing a strong interest in neonatal neurocritical care.
  • A current curriculum vitae.

Applications are reviewed by the Program Training Committee. Post-enrollment, all trainees complete the online NNCC education modules.

Contacts

  • Program Director — Dr. Khorshid Mohammad
  • Co-Program Director — Dr. Sujith Gurram
  • NCC Education Lead — Dr. Kristine Woodward · Kristine.Woodward@ahs.ca
  • NCC Nurse Practitioner — Leah Foster, NNP · Leah.Foster@ahs.ca
  • Program Administrator — Henry Teng
New fellows complete the ACH NICU orientation module and site safety orientation before their first ACH rotation; a four-month probationary period applies per PGME policy.