Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship Program

The goal of the Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship is to provide neurologists with experience in the diagnosis and management of all aspects of autoimmune conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes diseases such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD), MOGAD, autoimmune encephalitis (AIE), neurosarcoidosis and rheumatologic conditions with neurologic manifestations including neuro-lupus, vasculitis, mixed connective tissue disease and Bechet’s syndrome.

Autoimmune neurology fellows will work primarily in the Neuroimmunology Clinic at the South Health Campus hospital.  This clinic is unique in Canada and based off the Mayo Clinic model for care of patients with autoimmune diseases of the nervous system. We are a tertiary referral centre for all forms of autoimmune disease of the nervous system in southern and central Alberta with a focus on neuro-sarcoidosis (> 100 patients), autoimmune encephalitis (~50 patients), NMOSD/MOGAD, neuro-lupus, Bechet’s and vasculitis. This is a multidisciplinary clinic with contributions for neurology, neuro infectious disease, rheumatology and neuro-psychiatry with an active research program. We have dedicated nursing support and access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, dietitian and bowel/bladder rehab services.

Research opportunities are available and fellows are expected to complete a scholarly research and/or QI project during their fellowship in one of the aforementioned conditions. Electives to other centers to gain antibody testing/interpretation lab exposure are also available on request.

The Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship has been designed to ensure that the fellow attains the seven core competencies as determined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Medical Expert, Scholar, Professional, Communicator, Health Advocate, Collaborator, and Manager. We provide a well-supervised postgraduate medical education experience with graded and progressive responsibility.

SETTING:

Clinical experience is divided between outpatient Neuroimmunology, multiple sclerosis and rheumatology clinics well as inpatient consultations for admitted patient with neuroinflammatory conditions (South Health Campus, Peter Lougheed Center, Rockyview Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre). Supervision of the fellow is by the staff  neuroimmunology physicians on a daily basis. Exposure to neuromuscular clinics and electromyography is also available for those who have previously completed training in neuromuscular disease and would like ongoing exposure.

Fellows will also be given the opportunity to participate in neuro-immunology clinics under supervision of the attending rheumatologist or neuropsychiatrist. Additional exposure in neuro-oncology clinic to patients with confirmed paraneoplastic diseases of the nervous system is also available.

Fellows will be required to travel between all 4 hospital sites for inpatient consultations, outpatient clinics will predominantly occur at the South Health Campus.

FELLOWSHIP STRUCTURE:

The fellowship is designed around the concept of graded and progressive responsibility. Fellows participate on average of 7 half day clinics per week with the remaining time left for education and research.

EDUCATION:

Every week there will be between 1-2 hours of dedicated educational neuroimmunology rounds. Fellows are expected to attend all neuroimmunology educational rounds as well as rheumatology and neurology grand rounds. Additional optional educational rounds will include MS and NM weekly rounds.

Neuroimmunology Rounds include:

• Neuroimmunology multidisciplinary case rounds (monthly)

Optional Rounds include:

• MS Rounds
• MS Journal Club
• Neuromuscular Case Rounds.
• Neuromuscular Grand Rounds.
• Neuromuscular Journal Club
• Rheumatology Grand Rounds

In addition fellows are expected to read around cases seen in the various clinics. Fellows also have the opportunity to attend neuroimmunology or rheumatology courses and or conferences.

A typical clinic week (particular clinics will depend on training stream):

MS – Multiple Sclerosis/NMO/MOGAD clinic
NIC – Neuroimmunology Clinic (including longitudinal clinic). One half day a month will be dedicated to joining the NIC neuropsychiatrist in clinic.
NMC – Neuromuscular EMG Clinic (optional for those with interest)

RESEARCH:

All fellows are expected to participate in clinical or basic science research projects or QI projects in accordance with their career goals that will lead to publications and/or presentations at international meetings. An extension to a 2 year fellowship is possible for those who want additional dedicated research time.

FUNDING:

For the most part fellows must be self funded. Occasional grants are available for Canadian medical school/residency graduates. Canadian graduates are encouraged to inquire about possible sources of funding. All international applicants must secure external funding.

PREVIOUS FELLOW PUBLICATIONS:

Dr. Jodie Roberts Pearls & Oy-sters: Tumour-Like Mass Lesion Secondary to Primary CNS Vasculitis | Neurology

OUR PUBLICATIONS:

Dr. Christopher Hahn https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2386-8817

Dr. Jodie Roberts https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8544-3171

Dr. Ronak Kapadia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Kapadia+RK&sort=date

Dr. Katayoun Alikhani https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7726-427X

Dr. Aurore Fifi-Mah https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5417-9825