NNCC Harvey Sarnat NNCC Fellowship University of Calgary
Royal College AFC · UCNS Accredited · Est. University of Calgary

The Harvey Sarnat Neonatal Neurocritical Care Fellowship

A one-year, competency-based subspecialty fellowship training expert consultants in the diagnosis, management and neurodevelopmental follow-up of critically ill newborns — the first program in Canada accredited by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties.

1 year13 four-week blocks
UCNS + RCPSCDual-aligned accreditation
7 rolesFull CanMEDS competency framework
2 Level III/IV NICUsACH & Foothills Medical Centre
Royal College Area of Focused Competence (AFC) UCNS accredited 2025 — first in Canada Competency Training Requirements (2025) Programmatic, portfolio-based assessment
The Discipline

What is Neonatal Neurocritical Care?

Neonatal Neurocritical Care (NNCC) is the area of enhanced competence concerned with the study, investigation, diagnosis and medical management of neurological conditions affecting fetuses and newborns — and with the long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of impaired early brain development and brain injury.

Our fellowship prepares graduates of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine or Pediatric Neurology to function as expert subspecialist consultants, integrating neonatology, pediatric neurology, neuroradiology, neurophysiology, neuropathology and neurosurgery into a single brain-focused model of care.

Scope of Practice

The Seven Major Tasks of NNCC

The fellowship is structured around the Royal College's seven major tasks of the discipline — each mapped to learning experiences and portfolio evidence.

1

Consultation for critical conditions

Neurology consultation for neonates with critical neurological conditions in the NICU and selected PICU patients.

2

Antenatal consultation

Consultation for fetuses with anticipated or suspected neurological conditions.

3

Neurodevelopmental follow-up

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up care after discharge.

4

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams caring for fetal and neonatal neurological conditions.

5

Family counselling

Counselling families regarding fetal and neonatal neurological conditions, including end-of-life discussions.

6

Service management

Triage and management of the NNCC consultation service.

7

Scholarship & education

Advancement of the discipline through scholarship, teaching and innovation.

See how each task maps to the CanMEDS competencies

Detailed enabling competencies across all seven roles, with the curriculum mapping for how each is taught and assessed.

Explore the Program

Everything in one place

Program Leadership

Led by a multidisciplinary team

A collaboration across Neonatology, Pediatric Neurology, Neuroradiology, Neurophysiology and Pediatric Neurosurgery.

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
Meet the full team

Train where newborn brain health is the mission

We welcome candidates with a strong drive toward a career in neonatal neuro-critical care. Submit a letter of intent and CV to begin.

How to Apply