Neuroimmunology/Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship
Fellows complete 1-3 years of advanced clinical training in neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis upon completion of an accredited US neurology residency program. Fellows may select either a one-year academic clinician track or a 2-3 year clinical/research track. Yale typically accepts between 1-3 fellows annually.
The Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts easy parking and handicapped access for patients. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory, and an infusion center are on-site, allowing patients the convenience of receiving all of their neurologic care in a single location. The Center is located at 6 Devine Street in North Haven, CT.
Common elements of Yale's neuroimmunology fellowship (both tracks) include:
- Extensive outpatient exposure to new and established patients with known or suspected neuroimmune conditions, including (but not limited to) multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, autoimmune encephalitis, and anti-MOG disease, as well as neuroimmune complications of medications or other systemic diseases
- Inpatient exposure to patients with known or suspected neuroimmune conditions, including (but not limited to) multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, autoimmune encephalitis, anti-MOG disease, and neuroimmune complications of medications or other systemic diseases
- Complementary rotations in related sub-specialties, including neuro-opthalmology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, urology, neuropsychology, pediatric neuroimmunology, neuro-infectious disease, and radiology
- Opportunities to develop skills in Botox® injections for spasticity
- A reading program designed to cover the relevant literature in MS and neuroimmunology, including seminal papers and important, current literature
- Weekly meetings with attending neuroimmunologists, which includes journal clubs, case presentations, didactic sessions, and mentoring during patient care
- Medical student and resident education
- Participation in ongoing clinical trials at the Yale MS Center
- Participation in the ongoing Lumbar Puncture Clinic
- Attendance at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) three-day "Advanced Course in Clinical and Basic Immunology"
- Attendance at one or more national meetings
Academic Clinician Track
Clinical fellows devote 70-80% effort to direct patient care - mainly in the outpatient setting - for one year. Clinical fellows also provide neuroimmunology consultative services for inpatients at Yale New Haven Hospital. Electives in complementary subspecialties are available to enhance fellows' ability to care for MS patients and educate them about the skills that other members of the multidisciplinary care team contribute to patient care.
Clinical fellows are encouraged to develop a research project in conjunction with one or more of the attending neuroimmunologists, which they will have the opportunity to prepare for presentation at national meetings and for publication.
Clinical/Research Fellows
Individuals selecting the clinical/research track during fellowship will select a mentor from among the Neuroimmunology faculty at Yale and will work with them to develop an independent research project. They will be encouraged to develop this research for presentation at national meetings and for publication. Clinical/Research fellows have the option of engaging in formal didactic training in clinical trial design, biostatistics, and other research methodology, which may lead to a master's degree.
Clinical/Research fellows engaged in a multi-year fellowship reduce their proportion of clinical time and increase the amount of time spent on research. While the percentage of clinical time varies depending on the individual, most fellows spend 20-50% of their time on dedicated, clinical activities each year during a multi-year fellowship. Similar to the clinical fellows, Clinical/Research fellows may arrange elective rotations in complementary subspecialties.
Fellow Selection
Eligible candidates must hold a MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree, be licensed to practice medicine in the United States, have completed a neurology or physiatry residency in the United States, and plan on practicing medicine in the U.S. after fellowship. Yale is a member of a consortium of MS/Neuroimmunology Fellowship Training Programs in which a matching plan is utilized: the San Francisco Match for MS/Neuroimmunology. To apply to our fellowship, applicants should register and submit their application through the San Francisco match website.
Updated fellowship information, including information about the number of slots available each academic year, can be found in the Americas Committee for Research and Treatment in MS (ACTRIMS®)-sponsored Directory of Neuroimmunology Fellowships. Applicants are encouraged to use this resource.
Contact Us
Applicants with questions should email the Fellowship Program