Pediatric Movement Disorders Fellowship

The University of Rochester offers one of the few established pediatric movement disorders fellowships in the country. It has a strong track record of training and developing leaders in clinical care, education, and research.

Our fellowship has two potential tracks:

• Clinical fellowship: In this one-year fellowship, fellows learn how to diagnose and care for patients of all ages with a focus on infants, children, and adolescents. The catchman area for patients is wide, spanning the majority of New York State. Our pediatric movement disorders clinic is also a referral center for second opinions serving patients worldwide. Fellows are trained in the assessment and management of pediatric movement disorders patients. They have the opportunity to be trained in adult and pediatric botulinum toxin injections as well as adult and pediatric neuromodulation. Fellows work closely with the Movement Disorder faculty in both the Pediatric and Adult clinics. A typical schedule may include 2-3 Pediatric Movement Disorders and 2-3 Adult Movement Disorders clinics per week. Pediatric Movement Disorders clinics include general pediatric movement disorders (including Tourette clinic), pediatric botulinum toxin injection, ataxia (combined with adult), and Cerebral Palsy clinic. Adult Movement Disorder clinics include general movement disorders, deep brain stimulation, botulinum toxin injections, Huntington’s Disease, and ataxia. In addition, the fellow will have their own continuity clinic approximately twice a month. This faculty-precepted clinic will provide the fellow with the opportunity to follow patients longitudinally and have more independence in patient management.

 
Clinical schedules are developed to ensure that fellows have sufficient experience and training to develop all clinical proficiencies expected of a well-trained, independent movement disorders specialist. The core activity of the first year of the fellowship training program consists of an intensive clinical exposure to Movement Disorders patients at least 5 clinics per week. The proportion of time spent in particular clinics may vary based on interests and career goals. Fellows are expected to pursue scholarly work in ½ days with no clinic.

• Dual Clinical and Research Fellowship: This NIH-Funded Dual fellowship in pediatric movement disorders and Experimental Therapeutics (insert link to this site) is a two-year program. This T32 program trains fellows in the design and conduct of clinical trials in pediatric movement disorders. This program establishes comprehensive mentor teams with expertise in the trainee’s area of interest and includes a primary mentor and a biostatistics mentor. Clinically, trainees participate in 2-3 clinics per week, which will include a mix of pediatric and adult movement disorders clinics. The trainee will also have their own monthly continuity clinic. In the second year of fellowship, the trainee will have the opportunity to attend on the in-patient pediatric neurology service.

What educational opportunities are available for fellows?

• Monthly pediatric movement disorders didactic sessions (case discussions, journal club, video rounds)
• Weekly adult movement disorders didactic sessions
• Weekly Neurology grand rounds
• Monthly virtual pediatric movement disorders conference (hosted by Columbia University)
• Support is provided for fellows to attend the Aspen Movement Disorders course and national/international meetings

 
How do I apply for a fellowship?
We are not an ACGME fellowship. If interested in applying for one of our fellowship opportunities, please reach out to Dr. Vermilion. Please provide your CV and at least 3 letters of recommendations.

Please contact Jennifer Vermilion, MD, if interested in learning more.