Positions Available : Medical Student | Residency | Fellowship

Fellowship Positions:

I. Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics Research Fellowship

The Cerebrovascular Laboratory at Harborview Medical Center and the Department of Neurological Surgery offer a one - two year fellowship to study cerebrovascular hemodynamics in patients. Training will include classroom and practical experience in cerebrovascular ultrasound, measurement techniques and collection of scientific data with emphasis on statistical analysis and interpretation of data for publications. The fellowship includes participation in an NIH research grant activity. The aim of the study is to develop and test a method to estimate intracranial pressure noninvasively. The research fellow will actively participate in the management of all facets of the study, including performing testing in patients, collecting and analyzing data. He/she will interact with a team of trained vascular technologists who will participate in testing and data collection. Ideally, applicants will have competed a residency in neurosurgery or neurology and demonstrate interest in cerebrovascular disorders, having experience with noninvasive vascular ultrasound testing.

Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics Research Fellowship Faculty:

- Laligam N. Sekhar, M.D.

For more information about our Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics Research Fellowship Program please contact:

Laligam N. Sekhar, M.D.
Dept. of Neurological Surgery
Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Avenue, Box 359924
Seattle, WA 98104

Telephone 206-744-9330
Fax 206-744-9942
E-mail: lsekhar@u.washington.edu

II. Clinical Fellowship

The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, offers a one or two-year clinical neurosurgical fellowship to USA and foreign-trained physicians who have completed at least an internship or the equivalent level of training. The clinical fellow acts as a junior house officer or ward physician. The clinical fellowship serves as an introduction to neurosurgical management in the USA and/or as a supplement to prior neurosurgical training. Many prior fellows have been accepted into neurosurgical training programs throughout the USA after completion of the program.

The rotation for clinical fellows is split between the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) and Harborview Medical Center (HMC). Both hospitals are affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine and provide a broad array of neurosurgical services. In special circumstances, a rotation can be arranged at CHRMC.

The UWMC Neurological Surgery service places special emphasis on epilepsy, neuro-oncology, skull base lesions, complex spine pathology, peripheral nerve diseases and pain/spasticity management cases. The Neurological Surgery service at HMC specializes in the treatment of vascular lesions, complex spine pathology, CNS tumors, movement disorders and serves as the only level I trauma center for adults and children for the 5 state WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region. In addition, the University of Washington Gamma Knife Center is based at HMC.

The fellowship is divided into two years of training:

Serves as an introduction to neurosurgical practice and management in the USA. The emphasis is on diagnosis and management of neurosurgical emergencies.

• Elicit and document a comprehensive history and physical.
• Evaluate patients in the emergency room: assess, stabilize, triage, and coordinate diagnostic tests and treatment with other clinical services.
• Exhibit knowledge and skills relevant to neurosurgical emergencies including cranial and spinal trauma, stroke, seizure, etc.
• Interpret basic radiographic, laboratory and electrodiagnostic tests.
• Evaluate and manage neurosurgical outpatients.
• Manage neurosurgical intensive care patients as the primary physician.
• Demonstrate ICU procedural competency in placement of arterial lines, central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, lumbar drains, tongs and halos and stereotactic frames.
• Discuss management issues with family members appropriately.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge in the major areas of neurosurgery.
• Develop basic operative skills including opening/closing incisions, first assisting on a variety of cases, ventriculostomy placement, burr hole placement, etc.

Builds on the knowledge gained in the previous training year and expands to a broader application of neurosurgical skills, i.e. participation in complex operative cases including spine and neurovascular surgery.

Educational Objectives:

• Demonstrate administrative skills relevant to assisting the chief resident with management of the clinical service.
• Exhibit operative skills in the following areas: spinal surgery, craniotomies for trauma, ventriculostomy, ventricular shunts and burr holes.
• Exposed to advanced spinal surgery and instrumentation, surgical oncology, cerebrovascular surgery, epilepsy surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, radiosurgery and pain/functional neurosurgery.
• Discuss management issues with family members appropriately.

Qualifications/Eligibility:

• US Trained Physicians- Must have completed Medical School and 1 Year of Surgical Internship.
• Foriegn Trained Physicians- Must have completed Medical School and 1 Year of Surgical Internship or equivalent.  Must have ECFMG Certificate and have completed USLME Part III to be H1B eligible at least three months prior to start date.

link here for application information

For additional information about our Clinical Fellowship Program please contact:

Richard G. Ellenbogen, M.D.
Dept. of Neurological Surgery
Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Avenue, Box 359924
Seattle, WA 98104

Telephone 206-744-9321
Fax 206-744-9944
E-mail: uwnsurg@u.washington.edu

III. Epilepsy Fellowship in Neurological Surgery

The Department of Neurological Surgery offers a one year fellowship in epilepsy surgery with a minimum commitment of six months designed to foster careers in academic neurological surgery. One or two Epilepsy Fellows are appointed each year. Additional time beyond this one year period can be spent participating in basic science or clinical research.

The fellowship exposes participants to a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of medically intractable epilepsy. Fellows participate in weekly surgical and EEG meetings where management decisions are made for a variety of cases. The fellow is also trained in medical management of epilepsy and in basic neuro-physiology techniques, including EEG, SSEP, as well as intra-operative and extra-operative functional brain mapping. The fellow participates in a wide variety of surgical treatments for epilepsy at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), Harborview Regional Epilepsy Center (HMC), Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center (CHMC), and the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS). Progressive independence in patient evaluation and management is encouraged during the course of the fellowship.

There is also significant opportunity for clinical and basic science research within the department. Several labs investigate the underlying cause and potential therapies for epilepsy, and fellows are encouraged to participate in these investigations.

The Neurosurgery Epilepsy Fellow is typically appointed as an Acting Instructor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington, however, appointment is based on the applicant meeting the applicable UW faculty requirements.

Epilepsy Fellowship Faculty:

- George A. Ojemann, M.D.
- Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
- Jeffrey Ojemann, M.D.

Qualifications/Eligibility:

Requirements for beginning this fellowship include completion of, or at a senior level of a residency in neurological surgery, a Washington state license, and a commitment to a career in academic medicine. Fellows must obtain their own funding for the year.

For more information about our Epilepsy Fellowship Program please contact:

Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
Department of Neurological Surgery - Box 356470
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

Telephone: 206-543-3570
Fax: 206-543-8315
E-mail: dls@u.washington.edu

IV. Neuro-oncology Clinical Fellowship in Neurological Surgery

The Department of Neurological Surgery offers a one or two year fellowship Neuro-oncology designed to foster careers in academic neurological surgery. One Neuro-oncology Fellow may be appointed each year in this program.

The fellowship provides a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of neuro-oncology cases. The fellow participates in a variety of clinical activities, including the operative management of neuro-oncological disorders at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) and Harborview Medical Center (HMC). Fellows also participate in multi-disciplinary tumor board discussions throughout each week with specialists from neurological surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, neuropathology, nuclear medicine and neuroradiology. Fellows learn basic neuroradiology, nuclear medicine and neuropathology, as well as a variety of operative and non-operative managements for nervous system tumors. There is ample opportunity for clinical as well as basic science research. Several laboratories are dedicated to understanding various aspects of nervous system tumors including cell motility, radiation effects on tumor cells, apoptotic pathways, and utilizing cDNA arrays to investigate tumor genomics.

The Neurosurgery Neuro-Oncology Fellow is appointed as an Acting Instructor in Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington. Progressive independence in patient evaluation and management is encouraged during the course of the fellowship.

Neuro-oncology Clinical Fellowship Faculty:

- Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
- Robert C. Rostomily, M.D.
- Alex Spence, M.D.

Qualifications/Eligibility:

Requirements for beginning this fellowship include completion of a residency in neurology or neurological surgery, a Washington state license and a commitment to a career in academic medicine.

For more information about our Neuro-oncology Clinical Fellowship Program please contact:

Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
Department of Neurological Surgery - Box 356470
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

Telephone: 206-543-3570
Fax: 206-543-8315
E-mail: dls@u.washington.edu

V. Neuro-oncology Research Fellowship

An NIH-funded one to two year fellowship in neuro-oncology is available for neurology or neurosurgery residents near the end of their training or recent residency graduates who wish to pursue a career in academic neuro-oncology. The fellowship focuses on basic research, although there will be opportunities to pursue clinical research and participate in clinical activities. Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Areas of research include investigation of functions and expression patterns of developmental genes in CNS tumors and basic biology of glioma motility/invasion. The candidate will have the opportunity to learn a variety of basic science techniques, including: genomics/cDNA micro-arrays; proteomics; functional assays of gene function using transient/stable transfections; gene discovery and characterization; molecular biology (PCR, cDNA library construction, cloning, northern blot analysis); laser-capture microdissection; characterization of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes; cell biology (tissue culture, establishment of cell lines, ICC, western blot analysis, immunosuppression techniques including FACS); and in vivo and in vitro assays of motility and invasion.

Neuro-oncology Research Fellowship Faculty:

- Robert C. Rostomily, M.D.
- Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
- Richard Morrison, Ph.D.
- John Silber, Ph.D.
- Alex Spence, M.D.
- Michael Bobola, Ph.D.

link here for application information

For more information about our Neuro-oncology Clinical Fellowship Program please contact:

Daniel L. Silbergeld, M.D.
Department of Neurological Surgery - Box 356470
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

Telephone: 206-543-3570
Fax: 206-543-8315
E-mail: dls@u.washington.edu

VI. Pediatric Fellowship in Neurological Surgery

The Department of Neurological Surgery offers a one-year fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery designed to foster careers in academic neurological surgery. One Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellow is appointed each year in this program.

The Fellow actively participates in a seamless pediatric service involving patient care, research, and teaching. Fellows work extensively with attending neurosurgeons at Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, all of whom are faculty members in the University of Washington School of Medicine. The Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellow is appointed as an Acting Instructor in Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington. Progressive independence in patient evaluation and management is encouraged during the course of the fellowship.

Each fellow will actively participate in the management of all facets of pediatric neurosurgery. This includes extensive mentoring in tumors, epilepsy, craniofacial disorders, hydrocephalus, minimally invasive endoscopic neurosurgery, management of spasticity including selective dorsal rhizotomies and placement of baclofen pumps, spine, infection, complex trauma cases, and neural tube defects including myelomeningocele, lipomyelomeningocele, and tethered spinal cord. Strong emphasis is placed on clinical and/or basic science research productivity with several ongoing faculty research projects in place.

Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship Faculty:

- Richard G. Ellenbogen, M.D.
- Anthony M. Avellino, M.D.
- Jeffrey G. Ojemann, M.D.

Qualifications/Eligibility:

Requirements for beginning this fellowship include completion of a residency in neurological surgery, a Washington state license and a commitment to a career in academic pediatric neurosurgery.

link here for application information

For more information about our Pediatric Fellowship Program please contact:

Richard G. Ellenbogen, M.D.
Division of Neurological Surgery
Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center
4800 Sand Point Way N.E.
P.O. Box 5371 / 6E-1
Seattle, WA 98105

Telephone: 206-987-4525
Fax: 206-987-3925
E-mail: rge@u.washington.edu

VII. Spine Surgery Fellowship

The Departments of Neurological Surgery and Orthopaedics offer a one-year advanced clinical experience in spinal surgery designed to foster careers in academic neurological surgery. Four candidates are appointed each year - two from neurological surgery and two from orthopaedic surgery. Neurosurgery fellows actively participate in a seamless spine service that averages over 700 spinal surgeries annually. Neurosurgery fellows work extensively with both orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center and are directly involved with patient care, research and teaching.

The Neurosurgery Spine Fellow is appointed as an Acting Instructor in Neurological Surgery. Progressive independence in patient evaluation and management is encouraged during the course of the fellowship. Strong emphasis is placed on clinical and/or basic science research productivity with several ongoing faculty research projects. Each fellow will actively participate in the management of all facets of spinal surgery. This includes extensive mentoring in complex trauma cases, metastatic and intramedullary tumors, degenerative disorders, spinal deformity and infections of the spine. There will also be training in minimally invasive spinal surgery. A comprehensive exposure to all forms of spinal instrumentation and image-guided surgery is provided.

The fellowship is divided into two six-month rotations with a primary responsibility as a member of the spine services at Harborview Medical Center and The University of Washington Medical Center. Additional exposure to a variety of spinal pathology is provided at the Children's Hospital Regional Medical Center.

Spine Fellowship Faculty:

Qualifications/Eligibility:

Requirements for beginning this fellowship include completion of, or at a senior level of a residency in neurological surgery, a Washington state license, and a commitment to a career in neurosurgery with emphasis in spine surgery. Fellows must obtain their own funding for the year.

link here for application information

For more information about our Spine Fellowship Program please contact:

Trent L. Tredway, M.D.
Department of Neurological Surgery
University of Washington
1959 NE Pacific Street , Box 356470
Seattle, WA 98195

Telephone- 206-543-3570
Fax- 206-543-8315
E-mail: trentt2@u.washington.edu

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