University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship

The Pediatric Neurosurgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital Colorado is a unique 12-month fellowship that utilizes a transition to independence model. The fellowship offers a dynamic and comprehensive learning environment designed to cultivate exceptional clinical and surgical expertise.

Clinical Experience

The pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado provides a rigorous learning experience within the high-acuity environment at a premier regional referral center. Children’s Hospital Colorado regularly ranks as a Top Ten Children’s Hospital in the nation. Pediatric Neurosurgical care spans two campuses, the Pediatric Level I Trauma Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Pediatric Level II Trauma Center in Colorado Springs 70 miles to the south, with the fellowship being based at the Anschutz Medical Campus.

The match fellowship is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge acquired in general residency in Neurosurgery with strong and consistent emphasis on management of neurosurgical problems in children. Children’s Hospital Colorado has the most comprehensive pediatric neurosurgical program in the Rocky Mountain region, with strong programs in neuro-oncology, epilepsy surgery, craniofacial, spine, movement, peripheral nerve, and vascular disorders.

The fellowship emphasizes a “transition to independence” model, allowing the fellows to gradually assume greater responsibility in surgical procedures. As a junior faculty member, the fellow is involved in all aspects of patient care and assumes responsibility for the inpatient service. The match fellow takes attending call with senior faculty support. Gradually, the fellow is allowed to perform general pediatric neurosurgical procedures independently.

The fellow has an independent half-day clinic per week for consultations, pre- and post-operative evaluations, and follow-up patients. The match fellow is joined by a 3rd year resident from the CU Neurosurgery program, an international fellow, and a team of Advanced Practice Providers. 

Faculty Expertise

With seven pediatric neurosurgery faculty members, the service completes over 1100 major procedures per year. The fellowship is a busy clinical experience augmented by a rich educational environment and a suite of educational conferences regarding all aspects of pediatric neurosurgical care.

The Pediatric Neurosurgery Match Fellowship at the University of Colorado is a one-year program certified by the Accreditation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowships (ACPNF). The fellow is based at Children’s Hospital Colorado, on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, (just outside of Denver), with the opportunity for additional clinical experience at our Colorado Springs Hospital as desired. 

Our Anschutz Campus Faculty 

Our Colorado Springs Faculty 

Dr. Samples also leads our fetal myelomeningocele program at the Anschutz campus which includes both open and endoscopic fetal repair.

Our faculty are dedicated to fellow mentorship through personalized guidance, fostering career development and ensuring a supportive learning environment. We take a proactive approach to providing the fellow with academic opportunities and to identifying a desired attending level position following completion of the fellowship. 

Academic Enrichment

Global Neurosurgery Opportunities

For fellows interested in global neurosurgery, opportunities in Tanzania, the Philippines and Jamaica provide immersive experiences in resource-limited settings where the burden of neurosurgical disease is high. Participants work alongside local neurosurgeons and multidisciplinary teams to support clinical care, surgical training, and systems development. These experiences often include exposure to trauma, hydrocephalus, and neuro-oncology cases, as well as involvement in teaching and quality improvement initiatives. Fellows develop adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and a deeper understanding of global disparities in neurosurgical care, all while contributing to efforts that strengthen local capacity and improve patient access to life-saving interventions.

Dedicated Research Opportunities

While the program offers a clinically busy fellowship, fellows are also encouraged to pursue their research interests within pediatric neurosurgery.

The fellowship is based at Children's Hospital Colorado, situated on the Anschutz Medical Campus, a hub for medical research. This provides fellows with access to a rich academic environment.  The fellow is allowed a half day of protected time to support a strong research interest.

The University of Colorado has various research labs and facilities, offering potential avenues for both clinical and translational research. Three of our faculty have robust labs focusing on epilepsy, brain tumor, and neuroinflammation research. The division of pediatric neurosurgery has 3 dedicated research coordinators who are prepared to help the fellow in all components of a proposed research project.

The fellows are encouraged to attend various national or international pediatric neurosurgery meetings during their fellowship year, with the expectation to present their work at the Pediatric Section meeting.

In essence, while the fellowship prioritizes clinical training, it also recognizes the importance of research and provides fellows with opportunities to pursue their research interests.

International Fellowship

In addition to the ACPNF fellow, we host one international fellow each year, chosen outside of the SF match process. The International Fellowship at Children's Hospital Colorado is designed as a transformative opportunity for international neurosurgeons to train in a high-volume, multidisciplinary pediatric setting while gaining exposure to advanced surgical techniques, perioperative care, and systems-based practice. Fellows are immersed in a collaborative learning environment that emphasizes hands-on experience, structured mentorship, and academic development. Beyond clinical training, the program is rooted in the goal of knowledge exchange—empowering participants to adapt and implement best practices within their home institutions. A key strength of the fellowship is the cultivation of enduring professional relationships, fostering lifelong mentorship and ongoing collaboration that extend well beyond the training period, ultimately supporting the growth of neurosurgical capacity and improved patient care globally.

The international fellow should be a fully trained neurosurgeon from outside North America, who has passed Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the USMLE, and who wishes to augment his or her training with a focused experience in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He or she functions as a neurosurgical resident, with primary call responsibilities. The international fellow is provided ample opportunities to advance their clinical, surgical, and academic proficiency within pediatric neurosurgery.

Inquiries about the international fellowship can be sent to Dr. Ariana Barkley (Ariana.Barkley@childrenscolorado.org) and the program coordinator, Emily Fulton ( Emily.Fulton@childrenscolorado.org).

Requirements for international fellowship applicants:

• English Fluency
• Proof of successful completion of USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3
• Valid Visa for work
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• 3 letters of recommendation

Program Leadership