Skip to main content
menu
Department of Pediatrics / Critical Care Division / Pediatric Neurocritical Care Fellowship

Pediatric Neurocritical Care Fellowship

PNCRG Conference Group Photo

Jake Deines, M.D., Director
Director: Jake Deines, M.D.
(Pediatric Critical Care)

  • Our comprehensive one-year, full time fellowship is New York State’s only pediatric neurocritical care training program.
  • Our full-time pediatric neurointensivist works to provide advanced individualized training. Initially boarded in Pediatric Critical Care, Dr. Jake Deines is able to provide balanced expertise to fellows from various training backgrounds.
  • The University of Rochester has a rich history of excellence in neurocritical care training that we draw on and expand with our pediatric training program.
  • Fellows are an integral part of the clinical and educational success in the divisions of Pediatric Critical Care and Child Neurology. It is our highest aim to provide a supportive, rigorous and collaborative training environment for our fellows to achieve their goals.

Curriculum & Rotations

Fellows will develop expertise in the management of a diverse set of neurocritical illnesses including traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders and status epilepticus, stroke, hypoxic injuries and more.

Core Curriculum

  • Orientation – 2 weeks
  • Pediatric Neurocritical Care Consult Service – 6 weeks
  • Electrophysiology – 4 or 6 weeks (track dependent)
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery – 6 weeks
  • Adult Neuromedicine ICU – 10 or 12 weeks (track dependent)
  • Neuroradiology – 2 weeks
  • Neurovascular Service – 2 weeks
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – 2 weeks
  • Vacation – 4 weeks
  • Pediatric Outpatient ICU Follow-up Clinic – 1 to 2 afternoons/month

Fellows in protective gear

Intensivist Track

Requires completion of a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care

  • Child Neurology Service – 6 weeks
  • Adult Neurology Consult Service – 2 weeks
  • Adult Stoke Service – 2 weeks

Child Neurologist Track

Requires completion of a residency in Child Neurology

  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit – 6 weeks
  • Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit – 4 weeks
  • Ultrasound/Vascular Access/Transport Teams – 2 weeks
  • Pediatric Anesthesia – 2 weeks

Didactic Curriculum

  • Customized 2-week orientation schedule based on track. pNCC Fellowship specific orientation sessions and participation with Neurology Residency, Pediatric Critical Care and Adult Critical Care orientation
  • Fellows will be invited to all didactic sessions with Pediatric Critical Care, Child Neurology, and Adult Neurocritical care. Specific schedule will be based on fellow’s background and goals
  • Monthly pNCC Fellowship specific teaching and administration sessions with program leadership
  • Simulation sessions with a pediatric neurocritical care focus
  • Opportunities for didactic teaching in multiple settings and learner groups including medical students, residents, fellows, nursing and transport teams

Research and Quality Improvement

  • Fellow’s will be encouraged and mentored in their research or quality improvement efforts and can be involved in specific divisional projects based on individual interest. Ongoing multi-center projects include
  • As this is a clinically focused fellowship, there is no research or QI project requirements

Program Goals

  • Expertise in the diagnosis and management of the child with neurocritical illness
  • Proficiency in clinical electrophysiology, including basic, long-term and intraoperative EEG
  • Understand the modalities of pediatric neuroimaging, including advanced training in interpretation of neurologic CT and MRI
  • Skill in management and real-time interpretation of invasive and non-invasive neuromonitoring techniques
  • Exposure to pediatric and adult neurosurgical practice, including neurovascular procedures
  • Robust experience in adult neurointensive care
  • Appreciation for the role of the consulting pediatric neurointensivist in the neonatal, pediatric and cardiac intensive care populations
  • Focus on inclusion, equity, interdisciplinary teamwork and evidence-based practice of pediatric neurocritical care

Application Instructions

  • Applicants accepted with completion or anticipated graduation from ACGME-certified Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship, or Child Neurology Residency and anticipated eligibility or completion of respective subspecialty boards.
  • Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents for consideration for fellowship training.
  • Email a current curriculum vitae, two letters of reference, and brief personal statement to our fellowship administrator, Michelle Josephson.

Our Team

Current Fellows

Florian Capobianco DOFlorian Capobianco III, D.O.

Dr. Florian Capobianco was born and raised in Inwood, a small town on Long Island, New York. From an early age, he enjoyed playing football and baseball and remains a dedicated fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Mets. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from SUNY Plattsburgh before completing his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 2021 at Campbell University in Lillington, North Carolina. Dr. Capobianco then completed his residency in pediatric neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

During his residency, Dr. Capobianco discovered his passion for caring for children with complex neurologic injuries. It was during this time that he embraced a neuro-palliative approach with an emphasis on compassionate, family-centered care. His goal was to support children and their families through challenging diagnoses and treatment journeys. His research has focused on the relationship between acute kidney injury and perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neuromonitoring practices in pediatric ECMO, and the use of neurobehavioral medications in pediatric TBI. In addition to his clinical and research interests, Dr. Capobianco is passionate about medical education and teaching. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group newsletter. Driven by his experiences and his commitment to neuro-palliative care, Dr. Capobianco chose to pursue advanced training in pediatric neurocritical care. He is excited to join the pediatric neurocritical care fellowship program at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he hopes to further develop his expertise in pediatric neurophysiology and the care of critically ill children with neurologic disorders.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Capobianco enjoys spending time with his dog, Massimo, exploring Rochester's coffee shops and attending Rochester Red Wings baseball games. He also hopes to attend a Buffalo Bills game someday. Until then, he continues to make his case to Dr. Myke Garcia, PICU fellowship program director and Buffalo Bills season ticket holder, for what he insists would be an invaluable educational opportunity; unfortunately, these efforts have yet been successful.

Florian Capobianco DOW. Michael Taylor, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Michael Taylor earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master of Public Health from George Washington University. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Utah, followed by a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he served as Chief Fellow. He subsequently completed a T32 postdoctoral research fellowship at the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research at the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on the use of large healthcare datasets to improve pediatric critical care outcomes. Dr. Taylor joined the University of Rochester as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric intensivist at Golisano Children's. He is currently pursuing additional fellowship training in Pediatric Neurocritical Care, with particular interests in pediatric stroke and the use of large datasets to advance neurocritical care research.


Former Fellows

Travis Kauffmann, M.D.

Dr. Travis Kauffmann earned his medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and his Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship at Nemours Children's Hospital in Delaware. He subsequently completed his Pediatric Neurocritical Care fellowship at the University of Rochester in 2024. Following graduation, he joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric intensivist at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jacob Anderson, M.D.

Dr. Jacob Anderson earned his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency and chief residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University, followed by a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship at the University of Rochester, where he also earned a master's degree in Health Professions Education. He subsequently completed his Pediatric Neurocritical Care fellowship at the University of Rochester in 2023. Following graduation, he joined the University at Buffalo as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric intensivist at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo.