Epilepsy

Message from the Director

I am very pleased to introduce the Epilepsy Fellowship program of the University of Minnesota Department of Neurology. This ACGME-accredited training program prepares adult and pediatric neurologists for the optimal practice of epileptology in academic departments or in predominantly clinical environments. Advanced epilepsy care at the University of Minnesota is centered in Neurology but emphasizes collaboration with neurosurgical, neuroimaging, neuropsychological and other faculty clinicians and investigators. Structured didactics and clinical training in the clinic, hospital and EEG laboratories are supplemented with individually trainee-designed elective experiences.

 - Thomas R. Henry, MD, Program Director

Program Highlights

  • Daily EEG review sessions, daily in-patient Epilepsy service rounds, and daily Epilepsy clinics, scheduled for trainees in a rotating fashion.  
  • EEG and Video-EEG procedures in adults and children, with each procedure interpreted by a fellow trainee is personally reviewed by a faculty epileptologist-neurophysiologist.
  • Adult and pediatric Epilepsy clinics, staffed for review of each patient seen by a fellow trainee with a faculty adult or pediatric neurologist.
  • Comprehensive case review of Epilepsy Surgery candidates, led by the patient’s faculty epileptologist.  
  • Didactic lectures and journal-book reviews at Fellow level training, in primary neurological epileptology and related disciplines.
  • Clinical elective opportunities in related areas including Sleep Neurology, Neuroradiology, and Neurocritical Care (status epilepticus).
  • Clinical research opportunities at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, College of Pharmacy Epilepsy Program, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, and other laboratories.

Program Curriculum

This one-year Epilepsy fellowship includes EEG, seizure diagnosis, and epilepsy training to support high-level clinical practice in epileptology.  Alternatively, two years of training can be arranged to include one year of Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship/EEG track followed by one year of epilepsy fellowship, to constitute comprehensive training for an academic career in epileptology with clinical research.

Clinical Rotations

Our NAEC Level 4 center offers comprehensive epilepsy care, including epilepsy medication management, resective/ablative epilepsy surgery, and therapeutic brain electrostimulation.

Required clinical rotations include training in interictal and ictal extracranial and intracranial EEG and video-EEG recording and interpretation, other specialized electrophysiological diagnostic techniques, and in-patient and out-patient care of patients undergoing seizure diagnosis, epilepsy management with, epilepsy surgery and neural electrostimulation therapies.

Didactics

Didactics cover the areas of seizure and epilepsy diagnosis and therapeutics and related areas including neuropharmacology of anti-seizure medications, neuroimaging and neuropsychology.  

Weekly conferences include an EEG Review conference, Epilepsy Surgery case conference, and Neurology Grand Rounds.

Research

Clinical research opportunities at the University of Minnesota include ultrahigh field brain MRI, neuroengineering-based EEG signal processing and neuromodulation, other electromagnetic stimulation therapies, pharmacotherapeutics, cognitive-neurobehavioral diagnostics and therapeutics.

Requirements & Application Procedures


Qualifications

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in neurology, psychiatry or pediatric neurology and have passed the USMLE Step 3 examination at the time of entrance into the program and must be ABPN board-eligible/certified in Neurology.

Application Requirements

Applicants meeting the above qualifications are asked to submit the following:

  • A curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty/mentors on letterhead with signature
  • A personal statement of interest in this fellowship or career path
  • Copy of UMSLE or COMLEX official score reports
  • A copy of your current ECFMG certificate (for International Medical Graduates)
Interviews & Match

The Epilepsy Fellowship Program is participating in the match through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please apply through AAMC's Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) by February 15th. Applications will be reviewed in February and competitive candidates will be invited to interview shortly thereafter. Please contact the fellowship coordinator with questions.

Dr. Thomas Henry

Program Director

Thomas R. Henry, MD

trhenry@umn.edu

Patrick Puskala

Program Coordinator

Patrick Puskala, MEd

pusk0001@umn.edu

Verification of Training

To verify a former fellow's training at the University of Minnesota, please email Rossi Cannon (bist0009@umn.edu).