MedStar Health Georgetown University Program

The MedStar Health—Georgetown University Hospital Fellowship Program in Clinical Neurophysiology offers two distinct fellowship opportunities: the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship with tracks in Neuromuscular/EMG and Epilepsy/EEG, as well as an Epilepsy Fellowship. These programs are fully accredited by the ACGME, ensuring a high standard of training and educational opportunities.

Each fellowship begins in July, and the program offers two funded positions per year, providing a competitive yet supportive training environment. Applicants can select from three distinct tracks: CNP-Neuromuscular/EMG, CNP-Epilepsy/EEG, and the standalone Epilepsy Fellowship. Furthermore, fellows have the option, in specific cases, to extend their training with an additional year of fellowship experience.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive experience across different aspects of clinical neurophysiology.

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship – Neuromuscular/EMG Track

This track specializes in the diagnosis and management of clinical neuromuscular diseases, including hands-on experience in electrodiagnosis techniques such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Fellows have active roles in the general Neuromuscular clinic and participate in multidisciplinary clinics focusing on conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis, ALS, and various muscular dystrophies. Additional rotation opportunities are available at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), enriching the fellows' exposure to pediatric EMG practices.

Notably, fellows in this track do not carry weekend or call responsibilities, allowing them to concentrate on their educational goals without the added stress of overnight duties. A research project is a requirement for all fellows at the culmination of their training.

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship – Epilepsy/EEG Track

The Epilepsy/EEG track provides fellows with extensive training in both adult and pediatric EEG monitoring techniques, including long-term intensive care unit studies and intracranial recordings. The curriculum covers the medical and surgical management of epilepsy while integrating advanced neuroimaging techniques such as PET and functional MRI to localize seizure foci.

Fellows have responsibilities that include conducting weekly clinics where they manage epilepsy patients and gain experience with neurostimulation device programming. Unlike the Neuromuscular/EMG track, fellows here engage in on-call responsibilities, including weekends, thus gaining practical exposure to real-time clinical decision-making. As with the previous track, a research project is mandatory for the fellows.

Epilepsy Fellowship

Lastly, the Epilepsy Fellowship focuses on comprehensive epilepsy management, covering various aspects of both medical and surgical treatments. Similar to the EEG track, fellows are involved in weekly clinics and advanced imaging techniques for localization and treatment planning. The training also involves interpretation of depth electrode recordings and participation in rigorous academic inquiries through a required research project.

Training Sites

Fellows with the MedStar Health—Georgetown University Hospital have access to a broad spectrum of training sites. The primary site is the Georgetown University Hospital, which offers advanced resources and patient populations. Additionally, fellows rotate at the NIH and CNMC, allowing exposure to a variety of clinical cases and mentorship opportunities.

Faculty and Leadership

The program boasts a strong faculty dedicated to both clinical excellence and education. Faculty members have diverse backgrounds and special interests, ranging from neuromuscular disorders to neuroimaging and epilepsy surgery. The faculty's dedication provides fellows with unparalleled mentorship and guidance throughout their training.

Application Information

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must submit a personal statement of interest, a current CV, three letters of recommendation—including one from their Program Director—a completed common application form, and confirm eligibility for the AANEM or NRMP matching programs as relevant.

The program maintains a strong commitment to diverse applicants, welcoming physicians from various backgrounds, including DOs and IMGs, thus creating a friendly atmosphere where all candidates are considered on their merits.

Visa Support

The MedStar Health—Georgetown University Hospital Fellowship Program provides visa sponsorship opportunities for international medical graduates. Sponsorship types may include J-1 and H-1B visas, depending on the specific needs and qualifications of the candidates.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The program is known to be competitive, with a clearly defined set of prerequisites for application. While specific metrics such as USMLE Step scores are not publicly standardized, candidates should be aware that the program prefers recent graduates and considers applicants with a history of academic excellence, high performance on board exams, and relevant clinical experience.