Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship Program

DESCRIPTION:

The ACGME-accredited UCLA Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship Program offers multi-site training that reflects the diversity of Los Angeles. This fellowship delivers subspecialty training in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Organized clinical experiences are arranged through rotations in the following sites:

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
• Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center
• Sepulveda VA Medical Center
• West LA VA Medical Center

 

The multi-ethnic population of the fellowship program’s expansive catchment area offers an unparalleled spectrum of pathology. Patients are evaluated in the following subspecialty clinics:

• General Neuromuscular Clinics
• EMG +/- Ultrasound Clinics
• ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth Clinic (multidisciplinary)
• Adult Muscular Dystrophy Clinics (multidisciplinary)
• Pediatric Muscular Dystrophy Clinics (multidisciplinary)
• Myasthenia Gravis Clinic
• Neuropathy Clinics (including multidisciplinary amyloid clinics; chemotherapy, immunotherapy & CAR-T neuromuscular clinic)

 

Fellows will also participate in inpatient and critical care EMG/NCS and neuromuscular consultations.

 

Clinical training at all sites emphasizes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach with collaborative efforts formed through the Departments of Human Genetics, Medicine (Pulmonology, Cardiology, Palliative Care & Rheumatology), Pathology (Neuropathology), Orthopedic Surgery, and Pediatrics. Fellows are educated in pediatric and adult neuromuscular diseases, immunomodulatory treatments, muscle and nerve pathology, neurogenetics, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Fellows also gain expertise in neuromuscular diagnostic procedures, specifically EMG/NCS, ultrasound, open muscle and nerve biopsies, skin biopsies, and chemodenervation. 

 

Each week, fellows participate in a rigorous didactics program that encompasses EMG/NCS case conference, multi-scope muscle/nerve slide review, neuropathology lectures, and neuromuscular disease lectures. Journal clubs, neuroradiology rounds, complex case conferences, and research presentations are also interspersed throughout the year. The curriculum covers topics pertinent to the practice of neuromuscular medicine and outlines the principles of electrodiagnosis. Muscle and nerve biopsy technique and histological interpretation are an integral part of the educational program. Our goal is to train fellows in all the major diagnostic tools in neuromuscular disease. Ongoing clinical and basic science research projects are available and may be further explored with additional training time.

 

This one-year ACGME-approved fellowship prepares fellows to obtain ABPN board certification in Neuromuscular Medicine and ABEM board certification in EMG.

 

Prerequisites and requirements:

• Completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program, AOA-approved residency program, ACGME-I Advanced Specialty Accreditation program, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or College of Family Physicians of Canada-accredited residency program
• U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or J-1 Visa Status

*Applicants accepted to the fellowship are also required to obtain a California Medical License before the start of fellowship.

 

Application process:

We will be adhering to the AANEM application process and rules.

Fellowship Director:

Joy Chan, MD
JoyChan@mednet.ucla.edu

 

Program Coordinator: 

Oscar Arellano

OArellano@mednet.ucla.edu

 

Training faculty:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 

• Michelle Allen-Sharpley, MD, PhD 
• Melody Badii, MD
• Frank Diaz, MD, PhD 
• Duaa Jabari, MD
• Richard A. Lewis, MD 
• Shalini Mahajan, MD 
• Abirami Muthukumaran, MD
• Jodi Nelson, DO

 

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center 

• Robert Freundlich, MD
• Steven Levine, MD PhD

 

Ronald Reagan & Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center 

• Shamsha Doran, MD
• Anasheh Halabi, MD, PhD 
• Yigit Karasozen, MD
• Negar Khanlou, MD 
• Perry B. Shieh, MD, PhD 
• Payam Soltanzadeh, MD 
• Bhavesh Trikamji, MD
• Martina Wiedau, MD 
• Mai Yamakawa, MD
• Alexan Yerevanian, MD 
• Simon Zimnowodzki, MD 

 

Sepulveda VA Medical Center 

• Joy Chan, MD 
• Steven Levine, MD, PhD 

 

West LA VA Medical Center 

• Joy Chan, MD 
• Babak Darvish, MD
• Ryan McCarty, MD 
• David Naylor, MD, PhD
• Dana O'Rourke, MD