MS/Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program

Welcome

Welcome to the MS/Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Our program is dedicated to training exceptional physicians in the care of patients with MS and other immune system processes affecting the nervous system. We present a diverse, experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a comprehensive curriculum. Our program provides training over the full spectrum of care from the acute presentation to long term management of these disease processes.

Program Director and Contact

Current Fellow

About the Program

Our fellowship program is designed to provide fellows with a comprehensive understanding of Multiple Sclerosis and other neuroimmunology disorders through rigorous clinical training and exposure to various neurological conditions. Fellows can work closely with accomplished mentors both in the hospital and in the clinic to develop their skills and knowledge.

We are part of the Clinical Neuroscience Institute (CNSI) in Miami Valley Hospital. CNSI has an established neurology residency, stroke and neurointervention fellowships and a critical care fellowship. Miami Valley Hospital is a busy stroke, neurointervention, and neurosurgery hospital offering a wide range of specialists to complement the training, including four neurointensivists in a state-of-the-art 36-bed Neuro ICU, exceptional neurosurgical support, the busiest level one trauma center in Ohio, a 40-bed medical ICU, and a 36-bed VV ECMO capable cardiac ICU. We have a fully established Epilepsy monitoring unit and 24 hour Epileptology coverage. As a result, Miami Valley hospital is a preferred site for transfer of critically ill patients. Many of these patients are found to have acute immunologic processes driving their neurologic decline. This results in a unique opportunity for fellowship training in a wide range of neuroimmunologic disorders.

Our MS Center is recognized as a Center of Excellence and Partner in Care by the National MS Society. We work closely with Neurorehabilitation experts to guide and optimize patient outcomes. We have a neurology infusion center with access to all treatments for conditions we see. Additionally, the fellow will have hands on training in management of spasticity including botox injections and baclofen pump management.

Our training program includes exposure to both central and peripheral nervous system disorders. The fellow will gain expertise in diagnosing and treating not only Multiple sclerosis, but neuromyelitis optica, Mog Antibody disease, ADEM, and a range of antibody driven autoimmune encephalitis processes. Additionally, we provide exposure to the care of neurosarcoid, CIDP, AIDP, and Myasthenia Gravis. Critical interpretation of neuroimaging, lab testing, evoked potentials and other neurologic testing will be a focus of training.

Our program encompasses one-on-one development of the fellow in a positive and supportive environment. The fellow will be closely mentored by experts in the field, both in the hospital and in the clinic setting. The fellow will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, physical therapists, and social services. Neurology residents and medical students participate in hospital and clinic management. The fellow will engage in the teaching and mentoring of these trainees through formal didactics and informal teaching on rounds.

Curriculum

Fellows will spend a total of 12 months in training. Up to 4 two week electives will be granted. The electives may include research, quality improvement project, away rotation in preselected outside MS/immunology center, neurorehabilitation. Other electives may be requested by the fellow and will be approved if pertinent to the training program. All electives will be selected and scheduled by the end of the first month of the fellowship. CME opportunities will be available and may be virtual or in person, though funding for travel is not guaranteed. Up to four weeks of vacation are allowed and are to be scheduled by the end of the first month of training.

The fellow will develop and present six formal lectures through the academic year. One of these will be a grand rounds presentation. The others will be for presentation to residents as medical students. They may include one RITE review lecture, disease specific didactic presentations, and case presentations.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Training: Our program covers a spectrum of diseases and conditions, including multiple sclerosis, NMO, MOGAD, ADEM, Autoimmune encephalitis, Sarcoid, AIDP, CIDP, Myasthenia gravis.
• Unique Responsibilities: Fellows will mentor and teach neurology residents and students in both formal and informal settings.
• Unique procedural skills. Fellow will learn and perform procedures including LPs, Botox injections, baclofen pump management.
• Research: The fellow will be involved in clinical research trials. The fellow may participate by evaluating research patients and performing EDSS ratings. Opportunity to participate in investigator initiated trials and grant proposals will be available.
• Contribution to growing literature in the field: Time and support will be available for the fellow to write and submit articles and case studies to journals in the field of neuroimmunology.

Faculty

Physicians: Dr. Tracy Eicher, Dr. Jon Willams, Dr. Atif Hashmi, Dr. Karen Arkin

Application Process

To apply for our MS/Neuroimmunology Fellowship program, please email or text Dr. Eicher for further instructions.