Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Program

The Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University is a prestigious one-year program, co-sponsored by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (McGuire VAMC). This fellowship is not only designed to provide extensive clinical exposure but also prepares fellows to sit for the spinal cord injury medicine board exam. The fellowship emphasizes a multifaceted educational experience across various clinical and research environments, namely the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (McGuire VAMC), the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR), Sheltering Arms Institute, and VCU itself.

Curriculum Overview

Fellows in this program are offered a rich curriculum that encompasses numerous aspects of spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine. The detailed areas covered include:

• Diagnosis and classification of different types of spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Pathophysiology of the spinal cord and associated systems
• Clinical decision-making and management strategies for both traumatic and non-traumatic SCI
• Neurogenic bladder management alongside urologic interventions
• Effective pain management techniques focused on neuropathic and nociceptive pain within the spinal cord patient population
• Spasticity assessment with multimodal management approaches, including chemodenervation and baclofen pumps
• Research methodologies including statistics related to SCI medicine
• Technical knowledge in rehabilitation technology and engineering
• Exercise physiology and biomechanics
• Behavioral cognitive strategies tailored for SCI patients
• Management of neurogenic bowel and pressure injury treatment

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Rotational Experience

The fellowship includes a necessary rotation schedule, where fellows spend:

• Four months in inpatient settings at McGuire VAMC
• Four months at the VCU Medical Center for varied outpatient exposure
• Two weeks in a mini-rotation focusing on urology
• Regular pediatric SCI assessments every first and third Wednesday at CHoR
• Eight weeks available for electives, which may include research opportunities

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Teaching and Mentorship

Fellows benefit from comprehensive training facilitated by experienced faculty members. They also have the opportunity to rotate through multidisciplinary specialty clinics that cater to a diverse patient demographic, including conditions like meningomyelocele, spina bifida, pediatric spasticity, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among others.1

Salary and Benefits

The compensation for fellows during the 2024-2025 academic year is set at $74,258. In addition to this salary, fellows are entitled to:

• 15 days of vacation along with designated holidays
• A professional development allowance for approved conferences, such as the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and the American Spinal Cord Injury Association
• Book allowances to support further education
• Opportunities for limited moonlighting, in accordance with departmental policies
• No call schedule, allowing for work-life balance

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Application Process

For those interested in applying for the fellowship for the academic year 2025-26, candidates are expected to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program in relevant specialties such as:

• Anesthesiology
• Emergency Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Neurological Surgery
• Neurology
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
• Plastic Surgery
• Surgery
• Urology

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To ensure a thorough evaluation of their application, candidates must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV), USMLE results or COMLEX transcripts, a copy of their medical school diploma, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a completed fellowship application by July 21, 2024. Interviews for selected candidates will be conducted on August 9, 2024.1

Visa Support

The program provides sponsorship for international applicants, specifically through J-1 clinical visas. This is particularly advantageous for individuals seeking training in the United States while maintaining international residency status.1

Competitiveness and Diversity

The fellowship is recognized as a highly competitive program. It welcomes applications from both U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), thus fostering a diverse educational environment. The program values a broad range of experiences and backgrounds among its cohort members, enhancing the learning experience for all participants.1

Special Application Requirements

Prospective candidates should be aware of specific application metrics such as being a recent graduate from an accredited residency program, with no more than a specified number of failed exams on the USMLE (or COMLEX) assessments. This ensures that applicants are both qualified and prepared for the rigorous training ahead.1