Training in the neonatal-perinatal fellowship program takes place on two units. The primary location is the Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center at Regional One Health, a 60-bed level III NICU with more than 1,000 admissions and 3,000 deliveries a year. The second facility is a 74-bed NICU at Le Bonheur. This level IV NICU receives transports from surrounding areas with more than 400 admissions a year and comprises surgical and cardiac neonates along with infants who need multispecialty care.

Le Bonheur Neonatology has a large patient census and wide spectrum in infant pathology that enhances the fellowship training. Fellows will also have dedicated learning opportunities such as POCUS training, ethics curriculum and research workshops.

Learn more about UTHSC's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine program and apply.

Research Interests:

Basic Science:

Cerebral circulation in the premature (piglets)

Clinical:

Benefits of zinc and iron supplementation on growth and anemia
Nutrition in the premature infant
Benefits of starting feeds early on growth
Non-invasive ventilation weaning strategies
Improving milk macro nutrient delivery
Impact of sedative use in the NICU
Maternal substance use and neonatal outcomes

Quality Improvement:

Unplanned extubations
Delayed cord clamping
Antibiotic stewardship
Home discharge on human milk
Prevention of BPD
Improving golden hour outcomes
Decreasing IVH

Fellow Publications

Data-Driven Quality Improvement Program to Reduce Bronchopulomary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants. Adeleke O, Lamba V, Talati AJ, E-PAS 2023: 648.138, April 2023
Progression of Blood Gas pH During the First Hour of Life in Term and Near Term Infant with Cord Gas pH ≤ 7.0; Elmufti H, Talati AJ, Elabiad, MT E-PAS 2023: 169.331, April 2023
The Burden of Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Dexmedetomidine for Neonates with Complex Care: A Point Prevalence Study. Ruiz E, Rana D, Talati AJ and Weems M. E-PAS 2024: Abstract ID :1681933, May 2024
Standardizing Developmental Therapies for NICU Infants. O'Neal L, Weems M and Rana D. Pediatric Research Day, May 2025
Evaluation of Macronutrient Delivery of Human Milk Fortified with Liquid Protein and MCT Oil. Pinkard C and Elabiad MT. E-PAS 2025: Abstract ID :1984052, May 2025
Limits of Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) as a Mode of Non-Invasive Ventilation Using the RAM Cannula. Mire A and Elibad MT. E-PAS 2025: Abstract ID :1983360, May 2025