Duke University Hospital Program

The Duke Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship program is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program dedicated to providing advanced training in clinical neurophysiology. Beginning in July 2025, the program will transition into a second-year fellowship structure following completion of an epilepsy fellowship at another institution. The fellowship is focused on enhancing fellows' skills in medically refractory epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, signal processing, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and much more alongside faculty members.

Fellows at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) will participate in a diverse range of rotations involving both adult and pediatric epilepsy clinics, video EEG monitoring, ICU EEG, and EP/NIOM laboratories. This comprehensive exposure assists fellows in sharpening their clinical acumen in neurophysiology. The program also provides opportunities for elective time tailored to individual interests, including sleep medicine and EMG, as well as participation in teaching activities with residents and medical students.

Prerequisites for application include the successful completion of a neurology residency program, and the salary level for fellows is PGY-6. Individuals who have completed a one-year ACGME-accredited Epilepsy fellowship are especially encouraged to apply for the second year of Clinical Neurophysiology training.

Program Highlights

The program offers numerous unique features. The Duke Comprehensive Epilepsy Center has a state-of-the-art 15-bed video-EEG monitoring facility, carrying out around 50 surgeries annually, including numerous intracranial EEG monitoring cases. DUMC has its neurological ICU beds equipped for EEG machines, conducting 15-25 continuous EEG monitoring studies daily, enhancing learning opportunities for the fellows.

Additional clinical services include ambulatory EEG monitoring, high-density EEG, and electrical source imaging. The program's NIOM laboratory is highly active, performing approximately 500 cases at DUMC and a similar number at other hospitals. The research components are robust, with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research in epilepsy, neuromodulation, and related fields.

Training Environment

The training environment is characterized by a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, with fellows working closely with faculty on tailored research projects that align with their career goals. Programs like the ANPHY Lab at Duke are among the largest research hubs focusing on epilepsy and related conditions.

Competitiveness and Application Process

The fellowship is considered competitive, with a focus on attracting both MD and DO candidates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs). While prior training in epilepsy is favorable, applicants without it may still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Visa support is available, including sponsorship for J1 visas along with necessary information provided by the Duke Visa Services Office.

Application requirements include verifying compliance with employment criteria for all Duke graduate medical education trainees. Specific details about application submission are handled through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with applications opening in November 2023 for the 2025-2026 fellowship year. The interview phase occurs between January and March.