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.

Details

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 (BMRI) and the Clinical Translational Neuroscience Unit (CTNU).

Application Information

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.

Our Fellows

Class of 2021
Stephanie Buchman, M.D.
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Jens Witsch, M.D.
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Jens is originally from Freiburg, Germany and studied medicine at Heidelberg University. During his medical research thesis in Heidelberg he investigated vivo neuronal physiology in an epilepsy mouse model at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research. He then completed a neurology residency at the Charité in Berlin, and a neurocritical care research fellowship at Columbia University, followed by a neurology residency at Yale. Jens is interested in secondary injury as well as prognostication after hemorrhagic stroke. He serves as an editorial team member of the Resident&Fellow section of Neurology.

Weill Cornell Medicine Neurology 525 E. 68th St.
PO Box 117
New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6575