University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program

The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program in Vascular Neurology offers a comprehensive fellowship designed to prepare specialists in the field of vascular neurology. Situated within the first Comprehensive Stroke Program in Wisconsin, the program prides itself on providing a solid foundation of clinical skills and scholarly activities for its fellows.

Program Overview

The fellowship spans one year, requiring prior completion of an accredited residency in neurology. The curriculum emphasizes both inpatient and outpatient care, with significant exposure to stroke management. Fellows will acquire hands-on experience in providing emergency care for neurological conditions, including a strong focus on stroke and its complexities 1.

Training Structure

The program allows fellows to navigate various clinical rotations that cover both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, critical care management, and neurosurgical disorders related to cerebrovascular issues. The rotations, typically occurring in blocks of four weeks, include direct supervision by faculty members, ensuring essential mentorship throughout the training 4.

Fellow call responsibilities involve participation in after-hours consultations, primarily via home call systems, which aim to enhance the clinical decision-making skills of the fellows 17.

Curriculum and Education

The educational framework includes a mixture of didactic sessions, journal clubs, and case conferences that facilitate in-depth learning about vascular neurological disorders. Fellows are integrated into the teaching process, mentoring residents and medical students, thus fostering an environment of collaborative learning 13.

Mandatory educational conferences feature a structured schedule covering a broad spectrum of vascular neurological topics such as acute stroke management, secondary complications, and clinical guidelines 10.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Mandatory scholarly projects are part of the fellowship experience, wherein fellows must engage in research by presenting original studies or participating in clinical trials 14. Fellows are encouraged to attend at least one professional conference per year to encourage networking and continued professional development 11.

Fellows possess the autonomy to pursue additional research interests during their elective time, providing a platform to contribute meaningfully to advancements within the field 13.

Evaluation and Feedback

The fellowship program employs a robust evaluation system to monitor the progress of fellows. End-of-rotation feedback from supervising faculty ensures that fellows are consistently informed of their competencies in critical areas essential for independent practice 7.

Fellow Well-Being

Recognizing the importance of health and wellness in fostering effective healthcare professionals, the program is committed to supporting the physical and mental well-being of fellows. Measures include access to resources for mental health support and a comprehensive structure for work-life balance 18.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligible candidates must have successfully completed an accredited neurology residency and demonstrate strong academic and interpersonal skills. Applicants must hold a legal status that allows entry into the U.S. for training, with the program supporting J-1 visa requests, though H-1 visas are not offered 19.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship offers competitive compensation, in line with the 75th percentile among peer organizations nationwide. Additionally, fellows benefit from an educational fund designed to support professional development through conferences and training materials 20.

Unique Aspects

One distinguishing characteristic of the fellowship is the optional Neurohospitalist Track, which enriches the fellow's training by providing more focused exposure to neurological emergencies beyond stroke management 1. This feature is structured to cater to the growing demand for specialists in neurohospitalist medicine.