University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Program

The Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship at Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, is a one-year program focused on training neurologists in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric epilepsy and seizure disorders. This program aims to develop physician leaders who are equipped to tackle individual patient challenges and systemic health issues.

Program Overview

The fellowship is structured to provide comprehensive training in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Fellows acquire advanced clinical skills required for medical and surgical epilepsy evaluation and management, thereby achieving competency that exceeds that of a general child neurologist. A significant focus is placed on pediatric epilepsy; however, the curriculum also includes at least one month dedicated to managing adult epilepsy cases in various settings 1.

Curriculum

The fellowship features an individualized curriculum that targets each fellow's research and clinical interests, complemented by a robust didactic program. This includes a comprehensive two-week “Epilepsy Boot Camp” that is conducted at the onset of the fellowship, alongside ongoing weekly lectures, and a monthly epilepsy journal club. An extensive array of conferences supports fellows with practical knowledge and updates in the field 4.

The curriculum adheres to ACGME guidelines and is composed of 13 blocks, ensuring necessary exposure and training: 5 blocks in the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit, 3 blocks focused on long-term monitoring and neurophysiology, 1 block in pediatric neurosciences clinic, 1 block dedicated to adult epilepsy, along with 1 block for research and 2 elective blocks that can be curated to align with the fellow's specific interests 4.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research activities. They have access to a month set aside for research initiatives and are also given the chance to participate in international epilepsy clinics and educational ventures 1.

Training Sites

Fellows benefit from diverse training opportunities at several premier facilities within Austin, including:

• Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas: A Level 1 Trauma Center with a level IV NICU offering specialized pediatric care over a large referral area, equipped with an epilepsy monitoring unit and a robust surgery program.
• Dell Seton Medical Center: The main teaching hospital affiliated with Dell Med and the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center within a substantial radius, providing essential training experiences.
• Ascension Clinical Education Center: Facilitates outpatient clinic rotations for adult EEG patients.

This training environment supports extensive clinical and EEG exposure, as well as experience in pediatric subspecialty care settings 1.

Application Details

The Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship recruits one fellow per year, and applications are welcomed from individuals with a background in adult or child neurology. Eligible candidates must:

• Have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in neurology, child neurology, or neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Be a U.S. Citizen, hold an Employment Authorization Document, or be eligible for a J-1 visa.
• Have successfully passed all relevant United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) testing prior to the fellowship commencement.
• Provide three letters of recommendation, including one from their neurology program director.

Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and the program functions within the National Resident Matching Program guidelines 2.

Competitiveness

The fellowship is competitive and draws candidates that are both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program is open to both adult and child-trained neurologists, indicating a broad acceptance of diverse professional backgrounds 3.

Visa Support

The Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship provides visa support for qualified candidates. It can sponsor candidates holding a J-1 visa, which is a common option for international medical graduates 3.

Professional Development

A pivotal aspect of the fellowship is its integration of real-world applicability through various leadership training methodologies aimed at tackling systemic challenges within healthcare. This prepares fellows not just for clinical excellence, but also for roles as system-ready leaders in health systems 1.