Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship Program

Our ACGME-accredited neuromuscular medicine fellowship program has been training outstanding clinical and academic leaders for over 40 years. Our clinical sites, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), Philadelphia VA Medical Center (VAMC), and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), allow the fellows to be involved in the evaluation and care of adults and children who have a broad range of neuromuscular disorders. The teams at HUP and CHOP work together to provide lifespan care for their patients with neuromuscular disorders.

In addition to our general neuromuscular clinics at all three sites, Penn has several signature neuromuscular clinics and clinic designations:

• The Comprehensive Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Center at PAH
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) clinics at HUP and CHOP
• Designated as a GBS/CIDP Center of Excellence by the GBS/CIDP Foundation International.
• Designated as a CMT Center of Excellence by the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA)

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are performed by members of the Neuromuscular Division at HUP, as well as PAH and the VAMC. The primary EMG training site is at HUP where over 3000 patients undergo EMG and NCS each year. The lab has achieved the highest level of accreditation “with exemplary status” by the AANEM. In addition to highly specialized studies, like single-fiber EMG, we have added capacity for autonomic reflex screening and have incorporated neuromuscular ultrasound.

Fellowship curriculum

Providing fellows a strong background in clinical neuromuscular neurology is our primary objective. This is done by involving them in the care of adults and children who have a broad range of neuromuscular disorders, mostly in an outpatient setting. The program is based at HUP, but there are strong ties to the neuromuscular activities at CHOP (the site of their MDA Clinic) and PAH (the site of the ALS clinic). In addition to the general neuromuscular disease clinics at HUP, there are also rotations through a myasthenia gravis focused clinic, the adult MDA clinic and the peripheral nerve/CMT clinic. Electrodiagnostics (nerve conduction studies and EMG) are emphasized, and the fellow spends up to half of the clinical time in the EMG lab. Muscle/nerve pathology and neurogenetics also have important roles.

Application process

Applicants must be board-eligible or certified in neurology when the fellowship begins.

The Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at Penn participates in the AANEM Fellowship Match Portal. A link to this portal with a fellowship match timeline can be found at the following link: Fellowship AANEM.

Requirement for Applicants

• Successful completion of an ACGME-accredited Neurology residency (or Canadian equivalent) prior to start of fellowship
• Eligible for medical licensure in the state of Pennsylvania, including successful completion of USMLE Step 3 (or COMLEX Level 3)

Application Requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement
• Professional Photo
• USMLE scores, Steps 1, 2 and 3
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Our program is committed to abiding by the fellowship application process - interview offers will not be made before March 1st of the year prior to the fellowship start date. Fellowship positions will not be offered before June 1st of the year prior to the fellowship start date.

Research Information:

The neuromuscular division is heavily involved in clinical trials. Individuals with a commitment to basic or clinical research may be eligible for a second fellowship year, where 80% effort is spent on academic pursuits; funding for the second year is not guaranteed as part of the fellowship.

Contact information

Juliana Adedipe
Email: Juliana.Adedipe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Neuromuscular program leadership