The Neurocritical Care Fellowship is an ACGME-aligned, multidisciplinary program designed to train future neurointensivists through high-acuity clinical experience, advanced neuromonitoring and robust research engagement.

Based at VCU Medical Center, Virginia’s first Joint Commission–certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, the program provides immersive training in a high-volume, tertiary referral environment.

Program highlights

• Virginia’s first certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
• Over 1,000 stroke patients evaluated annually (ischemic stroke, TIA, ICH, SAH)
• Advanced stroke interventions including TNK, thrombectomy and hemicraniectomy
• 28-bed dedicated Neurosciences ICU
• 24/7 continuous EEG monitoring support
• Level I Trauma Center with high volumes of TBI and spinal cord injury
• Multidisciplinary faculty across four departments
• Active participation in national multicenter clinical trials

Program strengths

• High-volume stroke and neurotrauma exposure
• Extensive training in stroke neuroimaging and neurovascular diagnostics
• Dedicated neurocritical care and trauma experience
• Level I trauma center integration
• 24/7 critical care EEG support
• Multidisciplinary ICU team structure

Clinical environment

Fellows gain experience in stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, status epilepticus and complex neurosurgical care.

Clinical volume

• ~900 ischemic strokes annually
• ~300 severe traumatic brain injuries
• ~150 subarachnoid hemorrhages
• ~150 intracerebral hemorrhages
• ~300 complex neurosurgical postoperative cases

Program strengths

• High-volume stroke and neurotrauma exposure
• Extensive training in stroke neuroimaging and neurovascular diagnostics
• Dedicated neurocritical care and trauma experience
• Level I trauma center integration
• 24/7 critical care EEG support
• Multidisciplinary ICU team structure

The program includes 11 neurocritical care-trained or -certified faculty across Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Internal Medicine, offering strong mentorship and national leadership exposure.

Learn more about the Division of Neurocritical Care.

• ASPIRE Trial (ICH anticoagulation)
• Sleep SMART Trial
• SISTER Trial
• COMPOSE (Curing Coma Campaign)
• ART-SABI
• PRECISE-TCD

Core NSICU Experience

Fellows train in a 28-bed NSICU with structured Red (high-volume), Blue (consultative), and Night teams, leading multidisciplinary care and managing critically ill patients.

Procedural Training

• Intracranial pressure monitoring
• Advanced hemodynamic monitoring
• Mechanical ventilation
• Neurovascular ultrasound and TCD
• Continuous EEG interpretation (24/7 support)
• Critical care ultrasound and echocardiography

Educational Training

• Weekly lectures and conferences
• Simulation-based training
• Airway and procedural workshops
• Certifications: ACLS, ATLS, ENLS, FCCS

Applicants must meet NCC-1 or NCC-2 eligibility criteria. Please contact the program directly for application timelines, requirements and interview details.

If you have additional questions about the Critical Care Neurology Fellowship, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Aarti Sarwal MD, Program Director
E-mail: Aarti.Sarwal@vcuhealth.org

Seneca Lofton, Fellowship Program Coordinator
Email: Seneca.Lofton@vcuhealth.org