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Fellowship Training Programs

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

Welcome to the Clinical Neurophysiology Residency Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. We are committed to providing high quality, evidence-based, innovative training in state-of-the-art diagnostic neurophysiological techniques.  Our dedicated faculty has remained together providing clinical care and mentoring fellows for over twenty five years.  Following graduation, many of our trainees have assumed leadership positions throughout the world.

Curriculum

EEG/Epilepsy Rotations EMG/NCS Rotation IOM/EP Training Polysomnogram Training Scholarly Activity

During our CNP fellowship year, every fellow receives formal didactics or clinical exposure to electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), single-fiber EMG, nerve conduction studies, evoked potential studies, intra-operative monitoring, assessment of movement disorders, polysomnography, assessment of sleep disorders, and tests of autonomic function.

After identifying two areas within the array of clinical neurophysiologic subspecialties we offer, our didactics, clinical exposure, and daily one-on-one instruction allows each fellow to develop her/his clinical expertise in both modalities. To meet accreditation requirements, 20% of the fellows’ time must be spent in secondary disciplines. While most fellows select epilepsy and EEG as their primary field of study, our active intraoperative monitoring service, designation as an AASM-accredited Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center and our comprehensive rotation in Cleveland Clinic Florida’s EMG lab provide the opportunity to concentrate on another subspecialty. Didactic exposure to every area ensures that every fellow is equipped to pass the CNP board certification exam.

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is an NAEC Level 4 Epilepsy Center with cutting-edge technology, the breadth of which is not available in most specialized pediatric epilepsy centers. Outpatient clinics in ketogenic diet, neurostimulation (vagal nerve stimulation and responsive nerve stimulation), ion channel epilepsy, and tuberous sclerosis occur one or more time per month in the Brain Institute. In the inpatient setting, employment of electrocorticography, conventional subdural EEG, stereo-EEG, intraoperative MRI, MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, radio-frequency ablation, source localization (CompuMedics, NeuroScan), EEG-triggered fMRI, and transcranial magnetic stimulation allows for unparalleled exposure to surgical epilepsy and highlights the importance of a strong foundation in clinical neurophysiology. A formal neurocritical care service that manages patients in neonatal, cardiac, and pediatric intensive care units ensures ICU and quantitative EEG exposure during training as well.

Fellows interested in participating in research have a wide range of opportunities to develop a research project or be a part of an ongoing effort within clinical neurophysiology. While not required in the CNP year, trainees can be included in work that gives rise to important contributions within the field, as can be appreciated our recent contributions to the literature.

Compensation is commensurate with ACGME-equivalent programs.

How to Apply

Length of fellowship: 1 year
Number of fellowship positions available every year: 3
Application deadline January 31, 2020 (for the 2020-2021 Academic Year)
January 31, 2021 (for the 2021-2022 Academic Year)
Interview start and end dates (1-2 years in advance of start date) July through January of the previous academic year

Prerequisites

  • Doctor of Medicine degree
  • Completion of neurology residency (pediatric or adult) in an ACGME-accredited program
  • Fulfillment of qualifications for Florida state license (passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2)
  • International medical graduates: A valid ECFMG Certificate is required for international medical graduates. NCH offers J-1 Visas sponsored by ECFMG. Any other visas currently held will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the GMEC.

Documents required for submission:

  1. Application Form
  2. Recent curriculum vitae (must include months and years)
  3. Personal statement
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation (one written by the director of your residency program or chair of your department)
Download Application Form (PDF)

Your interview visit will be coordinated by Dr. Catalina Dunoyer when your schedule permits.

About Our Staff

lsrael Alfonso, MD
Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship
Director, Neonatal Neurology
Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Clinical interests: nerve conduction and electromyography, basic mechanisms of neurophysiology, neonatal neurology		 Ann Hyslop, MD
Associate Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship
Director, Neurocritical Care Program
Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Clinical interests: surgical epilepsy, neurocritical care
Anuj Jayakar, MD
Associate Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship
Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Clinical interests: neonatal neurology, neurocritical care		 Catalina Dunoyer
Program Manager, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship
Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Clinical interests: intraoperative monitoring

About Our Fellows

As one of the oldest Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowships in the country, we have trained numerous individuals that have made important differences in the lives of children with neurologic disorders. Many have made sizable contributions to the field of pediatric epilepsy through their clinical work and research efforts. We consider ourselves fortunate to have been a part of their training and their burgeoning careers.

Work-Life Balance

Demands on trainees in neurophysiology continue to increase with the upsurge in data generated by advances in medicine. Within our Clinical Neurophysiology Program, we strive to minimize the impact of these on trainees with careful monitoring of their satisfaction, happiness, and work hours. Therefore, we continue to offer a call-free fellowship program and remain dedicated to maintenance of fair, enriching, and enjoyable fellowship experience. All fellows are encouraged to enjoy the city of Miami and its beaches, people, and culture while they are in training.

Clinical Competency Committee (CCC)

In accordance with the ACGME requirements, each training program is expected to form a Clinical Competency Committee (CCC). The program director appoints the CCC. The CCC must have at least three program core faculty (excluding the program director) who have the opportunity to observe and evaluate the residents. The CCC meets at least semi-annually to review and discuss each individual residents’ performance data and make a consensus decision on the progress of each resident by applying assessment data to the milestones. The CCC serves as an early warning system/ early identification if a resident fails to progress in the educational program and make recommendations to the program director for resident progress including promotion, remediation, and dismissal. The program director meets with each resident semi-annually to review the CCC report and design an individualized learning plan for the resident. To learn more about the CCC, click here.

Below are the faculty members who serve on the CCC committee (in addition to the Program Director) for the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program:

  • Ian Miller, MD
  • Trevor Resnick, MD
  • Catalina Dunoyer
  • Prasana Jayakar, PhD