University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's Epilepsy Program in Dallas is renowned for its comprehensive clinical training and academic leadership in the field of neurology, particularly in epilepsy care. The program emphasizes excellence in patient care, educational advancement, and the exploration of research related to epilepsy disorders. It is notably designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, highlighting its capability to treat the most complex epilepsy cases.

The program facilitates over 7,000 patient visits each year and hosts two adult Level 4 Epilepsy Centers, which serve as primary referral centers for North Texas and beyond. The faculty comprises NIH-funded experts equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced techniques like Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG), and various forms of neurostimulation. Furthermore, the epilepsy centers are staffed with specialized units where dedicated teams provide personalized evaluations, employing novel treatments and complex surgical solutions for patients with difficult-to-manage seizures.

Curriculum and Training

The Epilepsy Fellowship offers rigorous training in neonatal, pediatric, and adult epilepsy, focusing particularly on intractable epilepsy and surgical evaluations. The fellowship spans one year, with an optional second year available that allows fellows to specialize further in Clinical Neurophysiology. The program not only prepares fellows for subspecialty certification in Epilepsy but also includes a wide spectrum of training opportunities across several settings, enriching their foundational knowledge and skills.1

Fellows spend significant time in both adult and pediatric centers, gaining exposure through various clinical experiences and educational conferences. The fellowship includes participation in weekly multidisciplinary case discussions, journal clubs focusing on cutting-edge research, and hands-on experience in advanced neurophysiological assessments. The exposure to diverse imaging modalities and clinical intervention strategies is coupled with an emphasis on developing a deep understanding of surgical interventions for epilepsy treatment.

Rotations and Clinical Experiences

Fellowship training occurs at well-equipped facilities, including Parkland Memorial Hospital and Zale Lipshy Pavilion—William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, both of which are known for their neuroscience specialty programs. The adult program features an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit with 11 beds, admitting around 500 patients annually, while the pediatric counterpart is linked to Children's Health℠, which has its dedicated 8-bed unit with a substantial patient admission rate for video-EEG monitoring.2

Fellows integrate clinical and research-oriented training through rotations involving various specialized tracks, allowing tailored experiences in either adult or pediatric populations. Such rotations provide exposure to numerous methodologies, including video EEG monitoring, electrocorticography, and Wada testing.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage in scholarly activities and research projects. Faculty members actively conduct research on a variety of topics related to epilepsy, including surgical outcomes, quality of life for patients, and innovative treatment methods. Each fellow has the opportunity to undertake independent research, presenting their findings at national meetings and potentially publishing in reputable journals.3

Collaborative research labs led by clinical faculty focus on ongoing projects aimed at improving medical education, surgical outcomes, and understanding the pathophysiology of epilepsy and its treatment through quality improvement initiatives and trial participation.

Visa Support

The program offers support for visa sponsorship, specifically J-1 visas for international medical graduates. Applicants must be ECFMG-certified to be eligible for sponsorship, which allows for training within the program for eligible foreign medical graduates.4

Competitiveness

The application process for the fellowship is highly competitive, with a limited number of positions available each year. Candidates are required to have completed an ACGME-accredited adult or pediatric neurology residency and to possess board eligibility in the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. While the program attracts a diverse cohort of applicants, it is considered favorable towards applicants from both MD and DO backgrounds, as well as international medical graduates.

Application Requirements

Prospective fellows must demonstrate a strong clinical background and have completed all prerequisites prior to application, including holding an M.D. from an LCME-accredited institution and a valid Texas Medical License. Application processes typically begin 24 months before the intended start of the training, allowing for thorough evaluations through interviews and application assessments. Selection for interviews is generally conducted during the fall/winter, following submission of applications through ERAS. For those applying for the pediatric fellowship, participation in the NRMP national match program is required.5