McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is a 12-month program designed to provide specialized training in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of traumatic spinal cord injuries and non-traumatic myelopathies. This fellowship caters to individuals who have completed a residency program in a relevant specialty, including fields such as physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, neurological surgery, neurology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, plastic surgery, surgery, or urology. Achieving successful completion of this fellowship allows participants to meet the eligibility criteria for taking the Examination in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, which leads to Subspecialty Certification in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine 1.

The fellowship operates in various clinical environments, mainly utilizing resources from the Acute Spine Injury Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and various departments within NMH and Northwestern University Medical School. This rich collaboration enhances the educational and clinical experience of fellows, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to spinal cord injury medicine 1.

Program Objectives

The fellowship has established general educational objectives that should be incorporated into all rotations:

Patient Care

Fellows will develop proficiency in obtaining necessary histories for diagnosis and treatment, performing detailed physical and neurological examinations, and identifying medical problems and potential complications following spinal cord injuries 1.

Medical Knowledge

Participants will gain an understanding of fundamental basic science concepts pertinent to Spinal Cord Medicine and will learn to recognize and respond to primary care needs associated with spinal cord injuries 1.

Communication Skills

A crucial aspect of practice in spinal cord injury medicine is effective communication. Fellows will engage in developing skills necessary for interactions with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams 1.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

The fellowship emphasizes evidence-based decision-making and encourages the use of research and statistical methods to inform clinical practice 1.

Professionalism

Professional attitudes, reliable practices, and the understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of spinal cord medicine are essential for all fellows, fostering a team-oriented environment 1.

Systems-Based Practice

Fellows will learn to evaluate the scope of local and regional healthcare delivery systems effectively, including the assessment of risks, benefits, limitations, and costs associated with available resources 1.

Clinical Experience

The fellowship provides extensive clinical exposure across various domains, including initial acute care management, acute rehabilitation, and outpatient chronic management of spinal cord dysfunction. Fellows will engage with specialists from physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, neurological surgery, pulmonology, and urology, while also interacting with other clinical disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychology 1.

Teaching and Research Components

An essential component of the fellowship involves involvement in teaching and research activities. Fellows will participate in teaching engagements within the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Spinal Cord Injury Program and instruct medical students and residents 1. Moreover, it is expected that fellows will complete a scholarly research activity suitable for presentation at a national level during the fellowship 1.

Application Process

Prospective fellows are required to submit a completed application alongside a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three professional references. The application process is competitive, with a submission deadline of August 15th 1.

Diversity and Inclusion

The McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University actively promotes diversity and inclusion within its fellowship programs, fostering an environment where all fellows are encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives and experiences 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program offers visa sponsorship for individuals requiring work authorization, facilitating J-1 and H-1B visas for eligible candidates. The program is highly competitive, welcoming applications from both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs) who meet the qualifications 1.

Special Application Requirements

While the program does not have strict application requirements concerning the year of graduation, candidates with a limited number of failed STEP exams are encouraged to contact the program for further insights into their individual eligibility 1.