Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program

The Cleveland Clinic offers a variety of distinguished fellowship programs in the field of neurology, particularly within its Neurological Institute. These fellowship programs are geared towards aspiring neurologists seeking to enhance their expertise in specific areas of neurology. Below is an overview of several fellowship options, highlighting the curriculum, training aspects, unique features, and application requirements.

Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship

This fellowship is UCNS-accredited and designed for candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited neurology or psychiatry residency in the United States or a RCPSC-accredited residency in Canada. The fellowship typically spans 1-2 years, focusing on the clinical management of cognitive and behavioral disturbances related to neurological disorders. Participants will be part of a multidisciplinary team at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

• Training Focus: Fellows will receive extensive training in dementia syndromes, caregiver education, and community resource utilization. Fellows will engage with specialists in neurology, psychiatry, psychology, and neuro-ethics.
• Application Requirements: Board eligibility in neurology or psychiatry, successful completion of USMLE Step 3 by the time of application submission, and ECFMG certification for international medical graduates (IMGs).
• Visa Support: The program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas.2

Epilepsy Fellowship

Cleveland Clinic’s Epilepsy Center is one of the pioneers in this field, offering an ACGME-accredited fellowship focusing on epilepsy management.

• Curriculum: The curriculum involves comprehensive training in diagnosing epilepsy and managing both medical and surgical treatments, including extensive exposure to surgical interventions such as temporal lobectomies and complex mapping procedures. An intensive 12-week course at the onset of the fellowship hones fellows' skills in EEG interpretation and neurophysiology.
• Research Opportunity: Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical trials and research and have access to advanced neuroimaging technology and electroencephalography (EEG) for robust training.3
• Application Requirements: Qualified candidates must have completed a neurology residency and passed various USMLE examinations. Visa sponsorship is available for both J-1 and H-1B visa holders.3

Headache Medicine Fellowship

This one-year UCNS accredited program aims to develop expertise in the management of various headache disorders.

• Training Components: The fellowship includes exposure to advanced procedures such as Botox injections and nerve blocks, alongside opportunities to collaborate on clinical research regarding headache interventions.
• Application Requirements: Graduates of ACGME-accredited programs in Neurology, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, or other relevant areas are eligible to apply. IMGs must be ECFMG certified.4

Movement Disorders Fellowship

This program provides specialized training focused on the management of movement disorders, including the use of deep brain stimulation techniques and the evaluation of advanced treatments.5

• Educational Format: The program includes diverse clinical experiences in specialized movement disorders clinics, and fellows are encouraged to select a second year tailored to specific interests in clinical trials or advanced techniques.
• Application Requirements: Candidates need to have completed an ACGME-accredited neurology residency with successful completion of USMLE Step 3 for visa applications.5

Neurocritical Care Fellowship

This ACGME-accredited and UCNS-approved fellowship emphasizes intensive training in the management of critically ill neurological patients.6

• Clinical Exposure: Fellows gain proficiency in airway management, central line placement, and the treatment of multi-organ failure in neurocritical care settings. The fellowship balances clinical responsibilities with research opportunities spread across two years.
• Application Requirements: The program seeks candidates who have completed a residency in neurology or similar fields and involves a competitive application process.6

Neurohospitalist Fellowship

This one-year fellowship prepares neurologists for practice in academic settings, with emphasis on acute care.7

• Curriculum: Fellows work on various consultation services and engage in projects focused on quality improvement and patient care practices. The fellowship offers significant flexibility in electives, covering diverse neurologic disciplines.7
• Application Requirements: Candidates must be eligible for a permanent Ohio Medical License. The program does not accept J-1 applicants and requires ECFMG certification for international graduates.7

Neuroimmunology Fellowship

This fellowship focuses on clinical training for adults and children with MS and other autoimmune neurological disorders.8

• Training Goals: Participants engage in direct patient care while also conducting cutting-edge research related to multiple sclerosis and related conditions.