St Luke’s Hospital – Anderson Campus Program

Vascular Neurology Fellowship Overview

The Vascular Neurology Fellowship at St. Luke’s University Health Network is a one-year ACGME accredited program designed to provide advanced training in stroke and vascular neurology. The program accepts two fellows per cycle, focusing on the comprehensive treatment and management of cerebrovascular diseases.

St. Luke’s University Health Network consists of 12 hospitals, featuring one comprehensive and 11 primary stroke centers, allowing fellows to gain extensive experience treating over 2000 stroke patients annually.

Curriculum

The fellowship features a structured curriculum with 13 blocks spanning the academic year, equivalent to 4 weeks each. Key components of the curriculum include:

• Inpatient Stroke Service (6 blocks): Fellows lead the inpatient stroke service, collaborating with residents and advanced practice providers to manage both primary and consultative stroke patients.
• Neurocritical Care (2 blocks): Involves training in the Neuro-ICU, where fellows manage critical patients, enhancing skills in acute stroke management.
• Interventional Neurosurgery (1.5 blocks): Hands-on experience with the interventional neurosurgery team during thrombectomies and other stroke interventions.
• Outpatient Vascular Clinic (1 block): Development of skills necessary for secondary stroke prevention and patient rehabilitation.
• Research (1 block): Time allocated for completing a required research or quality improvement project.
• Vascular Ultrasound (0.5 blocks): Participation in a specialized vascular neurology ultrasound course.
• Elective (1 block): Options for additional rotations including stroke program management.

Conferences and Education

The program emphasizes continued learning through various structured meetings:

• Vascular Conference: Monthly meetings where fellows present cases to enhance teaching and decision-making skills.
• Stroke Journal Club: Bi-monthly evaluations of current literature with a team of stroke specialists.
• Stroke PI Meeting: Cross-disciplinary meetings to assess stroke care practices and outcomes.
• Stroke Council Meeting: Strategic discussions on program management and complex case reviews.

Fellows also have opportunities for teaching, including Grand Rounds presentations on neurovascular topics.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship requires fellows to complete at least one original project, which may focus on research or quality improvement initiatives. Fellows receive mentorship in research methods, and numerous opportunities for engagement at different levels are available, including involvement in national stroke trials.

Faculty

The fellowship is led by a qualified faculty with extensive training and experience in vascular neurology. Key faculty members include:

• Program Director: Daniel Ackerman, MD, FAAN
• Assistant Program Director: Glenn Konsky, MD
• Various attending physicians with rich backgrounds in vascular disorders

Application Process

Applications for the Vascular Neurology Fellowship are accepted through ERAS. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications with any relevant documentation. Specific requirements regarding graduation year and examination scores are detailed in the program information.

Visa Support

The program supports visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates. Generally, H-1B and J-1 visa types are sponsored.

Competitiveness and Applicant Profile

The fellowship program is considered competitive, welcoming applications from both MD and DO graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs). However, specific competitiveness dynamics and requirements regarding failed STEP exams or years since graduation may apply and should be confirmed within the program details.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows are provided with a comprehensive benefits package, which is competitive within the region. Information regarding salary details is included during the application process.