Clinical Experiences
Children’s Nebraska is an American College of Surgeons-verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to children with traumatic injuries from across the region. Fellows receive structured trauma education and complete Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification, developing expertise in the systematic assessment and management of pediatric trauma patients within a high-acuity, multidisciplinary care environment.
Children’s Nebraska is an ELSO Platinum Center of Excellence, a distinguished recognition given to ECMO centers that provide exceptional care and are quality-focused. Fellows are exposed to VV and VA ECMO in both the PICU and CICU, seeing 30-40 cases per year. Neonatal cases that require ECMO are managed in these two units rather than the NICU, so fellows additionally get the experience of caring for neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart disease before surgical intervention, meconium aspiration syndrome, and PPHN. Our surgeons have expertise in both peripheral (neck, groin) and central (via sternotomy) cannulation. Fellows are invited to participate in ECMO Candidacy Meetings and will manage patients for the entirety of their ECMO run, including cannulation, circuit changes, and decannulation.
The Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) is part of The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Heart Center and is a dedicated 32-bed, variable acuity unit providing comprehensive cardiac care to children with complex congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, and advanced heart failure. Each year, more than 300 children undergo cardiac surgery.
A multidisciplinary team of cardiac intensivists, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons works collaboratively to deliver specialized cardiac care across the lifespan, extending into adulthood. In addition to offering the full spectrum of care for single-ventricle physiology and complex biventricular repairs, Children’s Nebraska provides advanced mechanical circulatory support through a comprehensive Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)/Heart Transplantation program encompassing the full range of devices as a bridge to heart transplantation.
The PICU at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine hosts the niche population of children undergoing kidney, liver, intestinal, and multivisceral transplants. Our pediatric intensivists spend time on service and on call at this site, working closely with the transplant surgeons. Our liver transplant program is one of the longest running and most experienced programs in the US, while we are also the largest pediatric intestinal transplant center in the country. Our program receives referrals from children’s hospitals coast-to-coast. Fellows have the opportunity to take an elective and call at the Nebraska Medicine PICU in order to expose themselves to children with unique medical complexities.
Our units provide care to critically ill children from Nebraska and surrounding states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The pediatric critical care transport team operates a comprehensive transport program utilizing rotary wing and fixed-wing aircraft as well as a dedicated ground fleet, collectively serving approximately 3,000 children annually, the majority within a typical 250-mile radius of Omaha.
The hospital has recently expanded its aviation capabilities with the acquisition of a dual-engine EC-145 helicopter, featuring advanced safety technology and increased range and personnel capacity, in addition to an upgraded Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft. The transport team also routinely rendezvous with local EMS agencies responding to acute medical and traumatic 911 calls, both at the scene and during transport.
Fellows serve as transport medical control to all pediatric critical care transports, providing medical management recommendations and directing crews on stabilization techniques for our sickest patients. Fellows have the opportunity to participate in a four-week elective with the transport team, with an option to arrange additional time, based on interest and availability.
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital is recognized as one of the nation’s leading pediatric rehabilitation facilities, offering comprehensive services delivered by experienced providers and therapists using advanced equipment. Children’s Nebraska maintains a close clinical partnership with Madonna. Our team refers children with complex medical-surgical conditions, including traumatic and hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, ICU-acquired weakness, and physical deconditioning. Our fellows have the unique opportunity to collaborate with Madonna clinicians and observe the remarkable progress our PICU graduates achieve through intensive inpatient rehabilitation programs.