Neuromuscular Medicine Program Fellowship

Description: The ACGME-accredited UCSD Neuromuscular Medicine Program is a one-year clinical fellowship providing excellent training in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases. Currently there is one fellowship position per year. 

Training Sites: 

Clinical Training: 

The muscle/nerve disease clinics (child and adult MDA clinics) and ALS clinics at UCSD use an interdisciplinary approach involving neurology, pulmonology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, genetics, social work, nursing and support staff from MDA and ALSA. Fellows are trained in the nuisances of neuromuscular care for children and adults with equal emphasis in both as the medications and standards of care aspects often disseminate across age groups. Fellows become adept in neuropathology, genetics, immunology, muscle and nerve biopsies, genetic therapeutic modalities, rehabilitation, electrodiagnostic studies, genetic testing techniques, and billing. The fellow also receives additional training in autonomics, ultrasound, and polysomnography. 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 Neurophysiology EMG track 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 Neuromuscular Medicine 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

Training Faculty:

Chamindra Konersman, MD - Fellowship Director - Neuromuscular 

Carolyn Vergara - Fellowship Program Coordinator 

John Ravits, MD - ALS/Neuromuscular 

Dominic Ferrey, MD - Neuromuscular 

Betul Gundogdu, MD - Neuromuscular 

Denise Malicki, MD PhD - Neuropathology 

Jeremy Orr, MD - Pulmonary/Sleep

Andrew Skalsky, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

Daniel Lesser, MD - Pulmonary/Sleep

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.

UCSD is abiding by the AAN/AANEM's recommendations of delaying the application process in the hope of providing candidates with a greater opportunity to explore neurology prior to committing to a career path.

See AANEM Fellowship portal for participating Fellowship centers and rules for applying to this fellowship:

In accordance with the rules set by AAN/AANEM:

Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year training program will begin as outlined below:

UCSD will accept applications starting March 1st, 2022.

UCSD will start interviews (virtually) on March 1st, 2022 on a rolling basis.

UCSD will offer positions starting June 1st, 2022.

Applicants will have 48 hours to decide whether or not to accept a position.

Necessary Materials:

1. Personal statement

2. Current CV

3. Three Letter of Recommendation 

4. Step 1, 2, and 3 board scores.

Email applications to both:

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

AND

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