Fellowship Training

Fellowship Programs

The fellowship programs of the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College provide access to advanced and in-depth clinical training to meet the needs of patients with the types of complex and evolving neurological disorders observed in modern, academic, tertiary/quaternary care medical centers. We offer the following fellowship programs:

Clinical Neurophysiology - EEG/Epilepsy and EMG/Neuromuscular Disease (ACGME-accredited)
Epilepsy (ACGME-accredited)
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurocritical Care (UCNS-certified)
Vascular Neurology (ACGME-accredited)

Our fellows collaborate with internationally recognized clinicians and researchers who recognize the value of education for advancing the field of neurology. Graduates of our programs have forged successful paths in academia and private practice and are highly sought after by the nation's most prestigious medical centers.

Apply to the Residency Program

Please complete an application through the AAMC Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application requires a personal statement, medical school transcript, USMLE scores for Step 1 and 2 exams, three letters of reference, and the Dean's letter. It is preferred to have Step 2 completed, with scores available for review, by February 1. Residency positions are selected through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Our program features 29 total residents divided over the 4 years of training. We offer up to 8 categorical positions each year. Our categorical residency positions include one year of Internal Medicine at NYP/Weill Cornell, followed by three years of neurology, though some neurology and psychiatry rotation time is built into the PGY1 year. A separate application to the NRMP for the internal medicine PGY1 year is not required for our program.

One Research Track position (PGY 1-4 categorical) is also offered every four years. Our most recent Research Track position as a 4-year categorical position began in July 2017.

Unexpected program vacancies are listed through the AAMC "Find a Resident" Website. If you have any questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions section. Also, please feel free to contact us directly.

For foreign applicants, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital ONLY sponsors J-1 visas through ECFMG. NYPH does not sponsor H-1B visas.

For international medical school graduates, ECFMG certification is required.

All correspondence regarding the Neurology Residency Training Program should be addressed to:

Janice Void
Residency Program Coordinator
Department of Neurology
NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
525 East 68th Street, Room F-610
New York, NY 10065
Email: jav2013@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (212) 746-6515
Fax: (212) 746-8735

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center (NYPWC) is a leader in clinical care, research, and education related to epilepsy, electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), neuromuscular disorders, intraoperative monitoring, and other aspects of neurophysiology. We offer several types of one-year ACGME-accredited clinical neurophysiology fellowship positions at NYPWC, the Weill Cornell Peripheral Neuropathy Center, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).

Comprehensive training in clinical neurophysiology appropriate for ABPN-CN certification in clinical neurophysiology is provided to all fellows. The program is designed primarily for applicants with a strong interest in a specific aspect of clinical neurophysiology. Subspecialty options include:

Adult EEG/Epilepsy and Intraoperative Monitoring Track
Pediatric EEG/Epilepsy Track
EMG and Neuromuscular disease Track

For foreign applicants, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital ONLY sponsors J-1 visas through ECFMG.

Training Activities

Both the adult and pediatric EEG/epilepsy fellows are responsible for supervised reading of routine EEGs (about 1,500 per year, including adults, children, and infants), evoked potentials (about 300 per year), and video-EEGs (some 600 per year). They also participate in related special procedures, such as Wada tests, intraoperative electrocorticography, and programming of vagal nerve stimulators. EEG/epilepsy fellows also participate in the care of inpatients undergoing video monitoring in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center's outpatient clinics.

For approximately two months of the year, all EEG/epilepsy fellows have a hands-on role in EMG and related laboratory studies at the MSKCC campus and either NYPWC or the Weill Cornell Peripheral Neuropathy Center for adult and pediatric fellows, respectively.

Adult EEG/epilepsy fellows divide their time between both the NYPWC and MSKCC campuses. Intraoperative monitoring procedures -- including cortical mapping via evoked potentials and direct stimulation, EMG monitoring of skull base procedures, and EP monitoring of spinal cord procedures -- occur exclusively at the MSKCC campus. In addition, adult EEG/epilepsy fellows participate in weekly outpatient brain tumor epilepsy clinics while at the MSKCC campus.

Pediatric EEG/epilepsy fellows concentrate on inpatient and outpatient management of pediatric seizure disorders. Up to 11 months of the year are spent on the inpatient pediatric epilepsy service (including video-EEG reading), with the remainder on the adult epilepsy service. EEG/EP and EMG activities are similar to those of the adult epilepsy fellow in order to meet the clinical neurophysiology criteria for board eligibility. There is also an alternative option to rotate through the adult and pediatric sleep center in lieu of the EMG requirement.

EMG/neuromuscular disease fellows are responsible for supervised performance and interpretation of nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and related special studies such as neuromuscular transmission studies (about 900 per year) at at NYPWC, Peripheral Neuropathy Center, and Spine Center. EMG/neuromuscular disease fellows also perform consultations for inpatients with neuromuscular disease. At the Peripheral Neuropathy Center, fellows participate in monthly lecture series and focused research projects. For approximately two months of the year, EMG/neuromuscular disease fellows assume the EEG/epilepsy fellows' role in outpatient laboratory studies.

In addition, broad training in clinical neurophysiology for all fellows is assured via an extensive didactic program that includes weekly clinical neurophysiologic teaching conferences, surgical epilepsy conferences, and journal clubs that cover the full range of standard neurophysiologic procedures.

Requirements and Application Procedures

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-approved residency in Neurology at the time of entrance into the program (typically July 1), and must be board-eligible in the Neurology section of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. To apply, send a letter of intent with a statement of career interests, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to the appropriate contact person listed below. Applicants are required to indicate and substantiate their area of subspecialty interest in the letter of intent.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, two years prior to the intended fellowship start date. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit their applications in the summer.

For more information and to inquire about how to submit an application, please contact Pegah Afra, MD, Program Director.

Please send application materials DIRECTLY to the email addresses of the associated track directors listed below. Please do not send application materials to the program coordinators.

Adult EEG/Epilepsy track:
Pegah Afra

Pediatric EEG/Epilepsy track:
Sristhi Nangia, MD

EMG/Neuromuscular Disease track:
Michael Rubin, MD

Epilepsy Fellowship

In addition to several ACGME Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowships (EEG/IOM, EMG, or Pediatric emphasis) we also offer ACGME accredited Adult Epilepsy positions. Trainees can elect to do one or two years of fellowship training with either one year of Clinical Neurophysiology or Epilepsy or alternatively a two-year ACGME fellowship training program with dual certification in Clinical Neurophysiology followed by Epilepsy. Both fellowships are ACGME accredited leading to dual ABPN (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) board certification recognized by both ACGME and ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties).

Training Activities

The Epilepsy Fellowship includes specific training in clinical epilepsy, including surgical epilepsy. The emphasis during the fellowship year is management of complex medical and surgical epilepsy patients and interpretation of long-term EEG monitoring including intracranial recordings.

Training is in the area of Epilepsy with broad exposure to routine adult and pediatric EEGs, long-term video EEG monitoring (both in the epilepsy monitoring unit and ICU setting), and intracranial surgical monitoring with subdural grids/strips/depth electrodes and stereotactic EEG. In addition, fellows are involved with the latest techniques in Responsive Nerve Stimulation (RNS), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Laser Guided Thermal Ablation for Epilepsy. We also have an active ketogenic and adjunctive dietary treatment program for Epilepsy.

Fellows are directly involved with all aspects of pre-surgical epilepsy workup including Wada testing and cortical brain mapping. Trainees also rotate through the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit for broad exposure to pediatric syndromes and surgical management. In addition to inpatient training, all trainees also see their own patients in weekly Epilepsy clinic with exposure to a medically refractory epilepsy population.

Fellows divide their time between Cornell Medical Center and adjacent Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Fellows are exposed to all aspects of clinical epilepsy (as above) at Cornell Medical Center. At MSKCC, fellows additionally attend weekly epilepsy clinic with emphasis on tumor-related epilepsy, offering exposure to a unique subpopulation of patients. Fellows are exposed to both routine and continuous EEG as well as weekly surgical electrocorticography at MSKCC.

Trainees further refine their clinical management skills by presenting complex medical or surgical epilepsy cases at a multidisciplinary conference with the guidance of supervising faculty. Fellows learn to appraise and assimilate all diagnostic testing including electrographic data, specialty imaging, and neuro-psychologic data. In addition to weekly Epilepsy didactic lectures from faculty, fellows participate in monthly journal club and monthly neuroradiology rounds.

Epilepsy fellows also have dedicated elective time and are encouraged to pursue individual research projects or gain additional experience in the care of patients with epilepsy and seizures, epilepsy research, neuropsychology, or neuroimaging.

Requirements and Application Procedures

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, two years prior to the intended fellowship start date. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit their applications in the summer.

For more information and to inquire about how to submit an application, please contact Pegah Afra, MD, Program Director.

Please send application materials DIRECTLY to the program director as listed below. Please do not send application materials to the program coordinators.

Epilepsy Fellowship:
Pegah Afra

Neurocritical Care Fellowship

Neurocritical Care specialists take comprehensive, multisystem care of critically ill neurological patients. Neurointensivists take on the primary care role for their patients in the NeuroICU, coordinating both neurological and medical management. Most uniquely, neurocritical care addresses the interface between the brain and other organ systems in the setting of critical illness.

The Neurocritical Care Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College is a United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS)-certified two-year joint program with the Columbia University College of Physician & Surgeons. The curriculum is equally balanced between neurological and medical aspects of critical care and fulfills the UCNS Neurocritical Care training criteria. There are three to four positions available each year.

Fellows will learn traditional and ultrasound-guided central venous line placement, arterial line placement, pulmonary artery catheterization, placement of intravascular cooling devices, lumbar puncture/drains, continuous EEG monitoring, cerebral microdialysis, ventriculostomy management, endotracheal intubation, neurosonology training (Duplex and transcranial Doppler), ventilator management, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, chest tube placement, percutaneous tracheostomy, and monitoring of brain oxygen, temperature, and blood flow. In addition to clinical bedside teaching and practice in the NeuroICUs, fellows will also rotate through the medical intensive care unit (MICU), surgical intensive care unit (SICU), cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU), and operating rooms (OR). Fellows are eligible for Neurocritical Care board certification upon completion of the fellowship.

Training Curriculum (Over Two Years)

The 24-month program incorporates nine months of service in the NeuroICU; five months in the MICU, SICU, CTICU, and ORs; and two months focused on neuromonitoring. Six months are spent on electives, and the two-year program includes two months vacation (four weeks each year).

Core curriculum

Upon completion of the program, fellows will be proficient in the management of patients with a wide range of neurological and general critical care issues. We strongly encourage the development of independent research projects, and we provide research support with training in database management and biostatistics.

house call approximately once a week, and weekend call once a month. Salary is commensurate with each fellow's PGY level.

Requirements for Applicants

Applicants must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, or Neurosurgery residency program. Graduates of both U.S. and foreign medical schools are eligible to apply. For foreign applicants, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital ONLY sponsors J-1 visas through ECFMG.

Applicants should provide:

1. A personal letter of interest addressed to:

Alexander E. Merkler, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Division of Neurocritical Care
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Brain and Mind Research Institute
Site Director, New York-Presbyterian Neurocritical Care Fellowship

Weill Cornell Medicine
525 East 68th Street Suite F610
New York, NY 10065
Tel: 212 746 0382

E-mail all application materials to:
alm9097@med.cornell.edu

Please direct all inquiries about fellowship admission to Nicole Hollis, snh2003@med.cornell.edu at (212) 746-0812.

Vascular Neurology Fellowship

The subspecialty of vascular neurology focuses on vascular disorders that can lead to ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and spinal cord injury. Weill Cornell Medicine treats one of the highest volumes of patients with stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases in New York, offering vascular neurology fellows exceptional exposure to a wide range of neurovascular disorders in a diverse population of patients. There are two vascular neurology fellowship positions available each year. Our ACGME accredited fellowship is a one-year fellowship; however, a second "research-year" is also possible for interested parties through the StrokeNet mechanism.

The practice of vascular neurology requires an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge of:

Basic science
Epidemiology
Vascular anatomy
Cerebral blood flow/metabolism
Clinical neurology
Diagnostic and interventional radiology
Neurosonology
Neurological critical care
Neurorehabilitation
Teleneurology

Under the leadership of the Fellowship Program Director, Dr. Alan Segal, and the Stroke and Hospital Neurology Division Chief, Dr. Babak Navi, our program provides full exposure to all of these areas, preparing trainees for productive careers in academic medicine, research, or private practice. Fellows acquire extensive experience in the management of acute ischemic stroke with thrombolytics and endovascular therapy, interpretation of diagnostic neuroimaging, and neurosonology. Clinical training is comprehensive and characterized by supervised clinical work with increasing responsibility for outpatients and inpatients throughout the year.

Vascular neurology fellows learn to critically analyze the stroke literature, and are expected to run a monthly vascular neurology journal club for the faculty. In addition, we strongly encourage the development of independent research projects, and we provide research support with training in database management and biostatistics. Upon completion of the program, fellows are eligible for Vascular Neurology board certification and the Neurosonology certification exam.

Training Curriculum
The 12-month program is based on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) curriculum, incorporating seven months of clinical service, three months of required electives, one month of elective research, and one month of vacation. Electives include neurosonology, mobile stroke unit/telestroke, neuroICU, interventional neuroradiology, neurorehabilitation, and diagnostic neuroradiology. The curriculum is flexible, and we tailor it to each fellow's area of interest and specific clinical or research goals. Dynamic expanded facilities and a varied patient population provide an opportunity to interface with other subspecialties like neurosurgery, neurointerventional radiology, diagnostic neuroradiology, critical care neurology, pediatric neurology, and rehabilitation. There is also regular one-on-one interaction with faculty, with personal attention to mentoring. Vascular neurology fellows are on call one weekend out of every four weekends, and on weeknights during inpatient rotations.

Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit
NYP is fortunate to have pioneered the only “Stroke Ambulance” in NYC and one of the few such units nationwide. Data from the MSTU has been presented internationally and at the American Stroke Association meeting. The MSTU has been an effective tool for stroke outreach to our large hospital network and to the local community. Fellows have the opportunity to ride on the MSTU and/or manage stroke patients aboard the MSTU via teleneurology (dedicated elective).

Research Opportunities
Fellows are actively involved in the research activities of the Brain and Mind Research Institute (BRMI) and the Clinical Translational Neuroscience Unit (CTNU).

Requirements for Applicants
Applicants must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited Neurology residency program. Graduates of both U.S. and foreign medical schools are eligible to apply. For foreign applicants, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital ONLY sponsors J-1 visas through ECFMG. Applications must be made through ERAS (Electronic Medical Application Service) and the selection process is done through the NRMP Match. Please direct all inquiries about fellowship admission to Janice Void jav2013@med.cornell.edu at (212)-746-6515.

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Fellowship Training

Fellowship Programs