EMG/Clinical Neurophysiology Program Fellowship

EMG/Clinical Neurophysiology Program Overview

Description: The ACGME-accredited UCSD Neurophysiology EMG/Clinical track program is a one-year clinical fellowship specializing in neurophysiology with an emphasis on EMG. Currently there is one fellowship position per year.

Training Sites:

University of California San Diego--Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Hospital
VA San Diego Healthcare Systems

Clinical Training:

In addition to healthy amount of EMG training, the fellow will also be adept at intra-operative monitoring, botox, single fiber EMG, and ultrasound. Clinical evaluation of neuromuscular patients with muscle, nerve, motor neuron and neuromuscular junction disorders is incorporated into the curriculum so that the fellow can make informed decisions about the findings of complex EMG cases. Training in neuropathology, genetics of neuromuscular disease and therapeutics are also incorporated into the curriculum. We have robust inpatient pediatric and adult neuromuscular consultation and EMG services. Fellows take primary responsibility for the care and management of neuromuscular patients and will work in conjunction with the Neuromuscular Medicine fellow. We have designed the fellowship to provide all the skills necessary to ensure career success in either an academic or private practice setting.

This ACGME-approved fellowship prepares fellows to obtain ABPN board certification in Neurophysiology and ABEM board certification in EMG.

Conferences:

Fellows will also attend and present at 2 conferences per year:

1. Carrell-Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium in Dallas, Texas

2. University of California, Irvine Neuromuscular Colloquium in Newport Beach, California

Research:

Fellows are expected to complete a clinical or QI project by the time they complete their training (1 year). These projects typically are presented during the above mentioned conference venues. Fellows are encouraged to pursue additional neuromuscular research based on their interests with the aim of publication or presentation. There are also opportunities to participate in clinical trials. An additional year of training in ALS translational research is available at UCSD and further information is available at ALS Fellowship.

Didactics:

Rigorous and dynamic didactics occur one half day per week. During these sessions, attendings from various subspecialties and the fellows will participate in presenting lectures to the group.

Weekly didactic session topics include:

1. EMG/NCS and/or muscle ultrasound topic and analysis review

2. Neuromuscular topics

3. Interesting case conference

4. Nerve and muscle pathology reading review

Monthly conference sessions include:

1. Neuromuscular Journal Club

2. Neuropathology slide review

EMG/Clinical Neurophysiology Schedule (PDF)

Training Faculty:

Chamindra Konersman, MD - Fellowship Director - Neuromuscular

Carolyn Vergara - Fellowship Program Coordinator

John Ravits, MD - ALS/Neuromuscular

Charles Jablecki, MD - Neuromuscular/Neurophysiology

Dominic Ferrey, MD - Neuromuscular

Betul Gundogdu, MD - Neuromuscular

Brenton Wright, MD - Movement/Botox

Jeffrey Gertsch, MD - Neurophysiology/Intraoperative Monitoring

Leena Kansal, MD - EEG

June Yoshii-Contreras, MD - EEG

Denise Malicki, MD PhD - Neuropathology

Yadollah Harati, MD - Neuromuscular

Applications:

Applicants must have:

1. Completed a U.S. Residency in Neurology or Pediatric Neurology

2. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or J-1 Visa Status

Applicants who are accepted to the fellowship are also required to obtain a California Medical License prior to start of fellowship.

Applications are being accepted for the 2021-2022 training program. Early application is encouraged.

Necessary Materials:

1. Personal statement

2. Current CV

3. Three Letter of Recommendation

Email applications to both:

Dr. Chamindra Konersman, Fellowship director: ckonersman@ucsd.edu

AND

Ms. Carolyn Vergara, Fellowship coordinator: cvergara@ucsd.edu