Mission Statement
The NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship is committed to developing the next generation of experts in cognitive neurology and neuropsychiatry. Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world, our program fosters an enriching, interdisciplinary educational environment for neurologists pursuing advanced training in disorders of cognition, behavior, and brain health.
Our fellowship offers a comprehensive two-year experience in the diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Fellows train with nationally recognized experts and care for a broad and diverse patient population across New York City.
Details
The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital–Weill Cornell Medicine offers a 2-year, UCNS-accredited Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship within the Department of Neurology. Based in Manhattan, fellows gain exposure to a wide range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric conditions in a high-volume, academically rich clinical environment.
Our program provides comprehensive training in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, frontotemporal dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms of neurologic disease, delirium, functional cognitive disorders, and cognitive aspects of movement disorders. Fellows rotate across core clinical sites including the Memory Disorders Clinic, inpatient consult services, geriatric psychiatry, and affiliated specialty clinics, each offering unique patient populations and learning experiences.
Core Rotations Include:
- Memory Disorders Continuity Clinic (longitudinal)
- Neuropsychiatry & Consult-Liaison Psychiatry
- Neurobehavioral Inpatient Consults
- Movement Disorders (Neurobehavioral focus)
- Complex Neurodegenerative Syndromes (ALS/FTD and beyond)
- Geriatrics & Geriatric Psychiatry (Center on Aging)
- Neuroimaging & Biomarkers (MRI, PET, advanced diagnostics)
- Interventional Psychiatry (TMS and neuromodulation)
- TBI and disorders of consciousness
Fellows develop expertise in cognitive assessment, neuropsychological interpretation, biomarker-based diagnosis (CSF, serum, imaging), and multidisciplinary care planning.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Behavioral neurology requires integration across multiple domains. Fellows train at the intersection of:
- Cognitive neurology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Geriatrics and aging medicine
- Advanced neuroimaging and biomarkers
- Interventional psychiatry and neuromodulation
- Rehabilitation neurology
- Ethics, capacity, and systems-based care
Training occurs in close collaboration with faculty across departments, reflecting real-world models of team-based care.
The two-year structure allows fellows to build a strong clinical foundation in the first year, followed by advanced scholarly and academic development in the second year, with flexibility to tailor training to individual career goals.
Didactics
Fellows participate in a comprehensive and interdisciplinary didactic curriculum that includes Neurology Grand Rounds, subspecialty conferences, and dedicated behavioral neurology teaching sessions.
Fellows are expected to lead a monthly Cognitive Neurology Journal Club, presenting cases integrated with critical review of the literature. Additional educational opportunities include interdisciplinary Movement and Memory conferences, Brain and Mind Research Institute seminars, and Appel Alzheimer’s Institute research conferences.
Fellows also play an active role in teaching neurology residents and medical students through lectures, case conferences, and clinical supervision.
Research
Our fellowship is committed to fostering scholarly activity within the rich academic environment at Weill Cornell Medicine. Fellows are expected to complete at least one scholarly project during the fellowship.
Opportunities include clinical and translational research, neuroimaging and biomarker studies, medical education research, and authorship of review articles or book chapters. Fellows benefit from mentorship across disciplines and access to rich institutional resources.
Faculty
Program Director
Sonja Blum, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Director of Cognitive Neurology Division
Core faculty:
Anna Nordvig, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology
Michael Lin, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience
Anita Wu, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
Conor Liston, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Jana Ivanidze, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiology and Director of Brain PET
Gloria Chiang, MD, Professor of Radiology, Vice Chair of Clinical and Translational Research and Director of the Brain Health Imaging Institute in the Department of Radiology
Affiliated Faculty:
Harini Sarva, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Director of Movement Disorders Division
Lisa Ravdin, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuropsychology in Clinical Neurology
Karin Ouchida, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Co-Director of the Geriatrics Fellowship and the Clinical Director of the Geriatrics House Call Program
Application Information
Our program follows the UCNS Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry fellowship application timeline. Application details and deadlines will be provided annually.
The following materials should be sent to Dr. Sonja Blum (snb9006@med.cornell.edu):
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement
- A list of 3 writers of letters of recommendation (letters should be sent directly by the writers)
Requirements
- Current and valid unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States or its territories
- Completion of an ACGME-accredited neurology or psychiatry residency program prior to fellowship start date
- Board certified or board eligible in neurology (ABPN)
Contact Info
For additional information please contact Casey DeSouza cad2041@med.cornell.edu