Clinical Fellowship Training Program

The DMRF is pleased to offer one-year fellowships to support the training of exceptionally qualified physicians in preparation for their clinical and/or research career in movement disorders with a special competence in the evaluation and treatment of dystonia. This is the second year of this important program with the inaugural year of support provided through a partnership with Merz Pharmaceuticals. In 2013, both first and second year fellowships will be awarded through grants from Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc. and Merz Pharmaceuticals.

The training program should focus on critical aspects of dystonia including: clinical diagnosis and evaluation, ongoing patient care and management, pharmacotherapy with a special emphasis on neurotoxin therapy, and neurosurgical interventions, such as deep brain stimulation. The training must be patient-oriented and include hands-on experience in clinics as well as participation in professional meetings and workshops. Involvement in the activities of the Dystonia Coalition (http://rarediseasesnetwork.epi.usf.edu/dystonia/) and participation in courses related to dystonia at major neurological meetings will also be required. Second year fellowships, for those who have completed a first year of training in movement disorders, should focus on clinical research as a major part of their program.

Click here to meet our 2012 clinical fellowship recipients.

Eligibility
Applicants must be board certified or board eligible in neurology, have completed a neurology residency, and hold a license to practice medicine in the United States.  Applicants must have already been accepted into an eligible movement disorders training program.

Fellowships will only be awarded at institutions with established training programs in movement disorders that have the appropriate resources to treat dystonia and conduct clinical research.  The applicant must have or select a mentor at the institution with clinical expertise in dystonia, who will develop a mentorship plan for the fellow. To become eligible, an institution must provide information on the training environment, program curriculum, available resources and the expected amount of exposure by fellows to dystonia patients.  First year fellows should devote at least 25% of their time to dystonia.  Second year fellows should devote more than 50% of their time to dystonia.  This time may include both clinical work as well as clinical research projects.

Applications for the fellowships expected to start July 1, 2013 should be submitted electronically to the DMRF by November 16, 2012.

Each fellow will receive a grant in an amount of up to $75,000 per year.  Up to 10% ($7,500) of the award may be used by the fellow for approved educational and training purposes. No institutional indirect cost is allowed. The fellowship is for only one year and is not renewable for the same individual.  Institutions may submit applications for more than one fellowship, but will only be eligible to receive one fellowship per year.

For further information and to request application materials please contact Jody Roosevelt at jroosevelt@dystonia-foundation.org

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