UC Davis Health
Department of Neurological Surgery

Neurocritical Care Fellowship| Neurological Surgery | Academic Programs and Training

Fellowships

Neurocritical Care Fellowship

Neurocritical care team

About the Fellowship

  • Ryan Martin, M.D.
    Overview From the Director

    About the Fellowship

    The UC Davis Health Neurocritical Care Fellowship Program's primary goal is to provide trainees with a comprehensive experience in the care of both the critically ill and neurocritically injured patients, as well as a variety of medical and surgical issues that a neurointensivist can be expected to confront and manage. This program will foster an inquiring approach to the management of critically ill neurological patients through patient care, literature review and application, quality improvement, and research. The UC Davis program is a collaborative endeavor with the Departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology and is ACGME-accredited. The program is based in the Department of Neurological Surgery which allows for training in the management of traumatic brain injury and extensive procedural experience.

    Ryan Martin, M.D.
    Neurocritical Care Fellowship Director
    Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery

The UC Davis Neurocritical Care Fellowship Program offers 3 tracks depending on the educational background of the applicant.

2-year Traditional Post Residency Fellowship:
Eligible candidates: Completed an ACGME accredited residency in the following specialties: anesthesiology, neurology, emergency medicine, or child neurology.

1-year Post Critical Care Fellowship Track:
Eligible Candidates: Completed a fellowship which includes at least six months of critical care training in anesthesia critical care, surgical critical care, or in a pulmonary/critical care program.

1-year Neurosurgery Fellowship Track:
Eligible Candidates: Completed an ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency or completed a minimum of 4 years in post-graduate clinical training in neurosurgery.

The clinical component of the program will be located at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. This includes experience with the management of neurocritically ill patients, as well as a broader curriculum that focuses upon the management of other critically ill patients. As a comprehensive stroke center and the only Level One Trauma center, the fellows’ clinical exposure is broad, with significant experience in ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injury.

Procedures: Fellows will gain expert proficiency in the following:

  • Endotracheal Intubations
  • Central lines
  • Arterial Lines
  • External Ventricular Drains
  • ICP monitor and brain oxygenation probe placement
  • Percutaneous tracheostomy
  • Transcranial doppler interpretation
  • Bedside ultrasonography

Rotations: The academic year is broken up into 13 4-week blocks, half of which will be spent on the NCC service. The other blocks will be spent on elective or ICU rotations, including one block each on the medical and surgical ICU teams during the first year of fellowship.

Electives for 2-year Track: Cardiothoracic ICU, Neurosurgery Service, Trauma ICU, Acute Stroke Service, Electrophysiology, Anesthesiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional Neuroradiology.

Electives for 1-year Track for Post Critical Care Fellowship Track: Neurology Service, Acute Stroke Service, Electrophysiology, Anesthesiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional Neuroradiology.

Electives for 1-year Track for candidates who are in Neurosurgery Track: Neurology Service, Acute Stroke Service, Electrophysiology, Anesthesiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional Neuroradiology, Infectious Disease, Pulmonary Care.

Position Available for July 2026

We have one available fellowship position each year and we participate in the San Francisco Application Match. Applicants may start applying in January the year proceeding their fellowship start date. We will review completed applications in February with interviews typically in March, April, May, and June. All interviews are virtual.

For applicants interested in the program, please send questions to Ryan Martin, M.D. (program director) at rymartin@health.ucdavis.edu and Veronica Munoz (education manager) vemunoz@health.ucdavis.edu.

The application through SF Match will require:

  • Cover letter
  • Current Curriculum Vitae
  • USMLE transcripts/score report
  • Three letters of recommendation

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Neurocritical Care Fellowship, you must have completed an ACGME/AOA/RCPSC residency in neurology, anesthesiology, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, child neurology, or be currently enrolled in an ACGME residency in neurological surgery.

Visa Requirements

Non-US Citizens must have a J-1 Visa or Work Authorization permit to apply to UC Davis Health fellowship training programs.  UC Davis Health does not accept H1-B Visas.  Please review the complete policy in Requirements for International Medical Graduates at UC Davis Health.

Graduates of Foreign Medical Colleges

You must be eligible for a California state license. Please review the California Medical Board approved list of foreign medical schools to confirm you have an approved degree and your school is listed. If there is concern about your eligibility for a California Medical License, the fellowship program may require a PTAL letter before we consider you for an interview.

  • Ryan Martin, M.D.
    Associate Professor
    Fellowship Program Director
    Department of Neurological Surgery
  • Lara Zimmermann, M.D.
    Associate Professor
    Director of NCC Service
    Department of Neurological Surgery
  • Jeffrey Vitt, M.D.
    Assistant Professor
    Director of the Transcranial Doppler Lab
    Department of Neurological Surgery
  • Krupa Savalia, M.D.
    Assistant Professor
    Department of Neurological Surgery