Vascular Neurology Fellowship

The UNM Vascular Neurology Fellowship program in Albuquerque is an ACGME-accredited program that offers two one-year fellowship positions in vascular neurology. Thank you for your interest! We encourage you to contact us with any questions.

The Vascular Fellowship provides trainees with an intensive educational experience in managing patients with/or at-risk for cerebrovascular disease under the close supervision of our board-certified faculty. At the conclusion of their year, fellows are eligible to take the ACGME Vascular Neurology board exam.

Patient Populations and Rare Diseases

Fellows will have opportunities to care for a large variety of serious and rare conditions, including Moya-Moya disease, familial cerebral cavernous malformations, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as well as the whole gamut of cerebrovascular pathologies.

Supportive Learning Environment

Our stroke faculty is comprised of 5 board-certified vascular neurologists including an interventional neurologist, adding unique expertise to our care for critically-ill stroke patients. Our multidisciplinary team also includes four dedicated stroke Advanced Practice Providers and stroke research coordinators. Additionally, at least two or more vascular neurologists are expected to join the stroke and neurohospitalist division in 2025.

Vascular Neurology Fellowship Curriculum

Fellows receive weekly didactic teaching by the stroke, neuroendovascular, and neurocritical care faculty. In addition to these teaching sessions, they are expected to attend weekly Neurology grand rounds and participate in biweekly Vascular Neurology division conference, weekly Neuroendovascular conference, as well Neuroradiology conference, and monthly journal clubs.

Education and Goals

Through rigorous education and practical experience, fellows will achieve the following goals and objectives:

• Develop expertise in the diagnosis, management and prevention of vascular neurologic disorders
• Gain proficiency with the acute treatment of vascular neurologic emergencies
• Learn about current protocol and trials relating to acute stroke interventions
• Provide quality care to in- and outpatients with vascular neurologic disorders
• Learn from the diverse neurologic disorders seen in various patient populations
• Gain an understanding of the process of clinical research in vascular neurology and become skilled at critical evaluation of stroke literature
• Participate in mentored research activities and clinical trials
• Acquire skills to teach neurology to medical students, interns and neurology residents
• Gain leadership skills and administrative insight required to build stroke programs when in independent practice

Rotations

Fellows will participate in rotations in the following areas:

• Vascular neurology inpatient care
• Vascular neurology outpatient care
• Neurocritical care
• Neuroradiology, Neurosonology including ultrasound courses
• Neuro-Endovascular service
• Neuro-Rehabilitation
• Research/Scholarly activity

Research

UNM is a StrokeNet regional coordinating center along with 26 other sites in the country. Our hub is called the “southwestern stroke alliance” along with the University of Colorado. We are currently part of multiple StrokeNet as well as NINDS stroke trials including CAPTIVA, Sleep Smart, SATURN, ASPIRE studies as well as multiple acute stroke intervention trials. Fellows have ample opportunities to participate in scholarly activities and many of them go on to present at various national/ international conferences.

High Quality Stroke Care

To save brain at risk of stroke, we know that the faster and more completely we can open a blocked vessel, the better for the patient. For that reason, some of the most important metrics we follow to ensure we are providing the best possible care are 1) the speed of moving through the steps between admission and opening the vessel and 2) our success at getting complete or near-complete opening of the vessel. This is graded on a scale (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction=TICI) ranging from TICI 0 to 3, with 2b, 2c, and 3 considered near complete or complete reperfusion.

UNMH mechanical thrombectomies (clot removal in the brain) for 2024 with a TICI score of 2b and better:

IV thrombolysis with tenecteplase in 2024:

Benefits

UNM offers highly competitive salaries and tremendous benefits to our residents and fellows. The GME office offers an overview of salary, benefits and employment eligibility. Email Mohammed Ismail, MD, Program Director, and Alexis Gonzalez, Program Coordinator for more information about program requirements or how to apply.