Our department places great importance on clinical training and didactic lectures. Fellows are part of a large teaching institution and train alongside our Neurology Residents for a daily noon medical didactic series. Fellows also have access to neuropsychologically focused didactics and case conferences, planned in concert with the Department of Psychiatry Internship and other fellows in PM&R, Psychiatry, and neighboring Birmingham, VA. Our training program offers a good balance between clinical duties, time for study, and research activities.
Neuropsychology Case Conference
Each month, fellows attend a UAB/VA partnership (1st Monday @ 2 p.m.) to review interesting neuropsychology cases presented by faculty, interns, fellows, or medical clinical graduate students. The supervising faculty is typically also present to facilitate case conceptualization based on a review of the clinical history and testing results. A brief didactic portion provides additional information.
Neuroanatomy and Professional Development
Held on the second Monday of each month (2 p.m.), fellows and interns present on a neuroanatomical structure for the first portion of the meeting. This is then followed by a discussion on a professional development topic.
Fact Finding
Every third Monday (2 p.m.), we hold the monthly ABPP-styled fact-finding. Each year, we initially begin with group fact findings to orient everyone to the process. Each fellow and intern will then lead the fact-finding session with a group discussion at the end.
Neuropsychology and Cognitive Science Seminar
UAB faculty or invited speakers from outside institutions present clinical and cognitive neuroscience research on the fourth Monday of each month (2 p.m.). We cover a breadth of topics ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, psychosocial factors to neuroimaging, and biomarkers. Fellows and interns can present. In addition to our UAB faculty, speakers from other institutions have presented including faculty from Johns Hopkins, Yale, Harvard, Vanderbilt, New York University, and Boston University.
Neurology Grand Rounds – Weekly
Neurology Grand Rounds is scheduled each Tuesday morning from 8-9 a.m. This serves as a format from which neurologists at UAB and from the surrounding community can learn about developing research, novel treatment approaches, and other topics relating to neurology. From our senior residents to internationally acclaimed neurologists, the topics covered in our Grand Rounds are applicable to neurology and neuropsychology.
Neuropsychology Division Case Conference
Once per month, a neuropsychology fellow or faculty member presents a unique or challenging case to the other faculty members. The goal is to discuss challenging points and gain consensus on diagnosis and recommendations.
Neurosurgical Case Conferences
There are three opportunities for fellows to learn more about medical management and neurosurgical intervention. These meetings either are in-person with a Zoom option or are 100% virtual.
1) Cerebrovascular Conference – Held every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m., vascular neurology and neurosurgery faculty present current cases and discuss best medical treatment options, as well as neurosurgical approaches. Dr. Lazar and Dr. Del Bene typically attend these meetings and input from neuropsychology is often provided. In-person with a Zoom option.
2) Epilepsy Surgery Conference – Held every other week on Thursday mornings, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Epileptologists, neuropsychology, and functional neurosurgery discuss candidates for resection and ablation. Dr. Martin typically attends, with other faculty joining as needed. In-person with a Zoom option.
3) Deep Brain Stimulation Committee – Held weekly on Fridays 1-2 p.m., movement disorder neurologists, neuropsychology, and functional neurosurgery discuss DBS candidates. Most patients have Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, or primary dystonia, but patients with less common conditions that are DBS candidates can also be discussed. Drs. Martin, Celka, and Del Bene attend weekly.
Elective Didactics
Other training sessions are held with residents and available for attendance by neuropsychology fellows as they are interested and in coordination with primary clinical rotations. Optional electives throughout the year include:
- Neuroradiology Conference (weekly)
- Neurovascular Conference (weekly)
- Neurophysiology Conference (weekly)
- Morbidity and Mortality Conference (every other month)
- Brain Tumor Board (weekly)
- Brain Cutting (weekly)
- Epilepsy Surgery Conference (every other week)
- Neurobiology Lectures (varies widely)
- Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Neuroscience Didactics Lecture Series - Daily
Every day from 12-1 p.m., the neuropsychology fellow is invited to join our neurology residents to attend the Neuroscience Didactics Lecture Series with a free lunch provided. The topics early in the academic year focus on emergent neurological problems, anatomy, and frequently encountered diagnoses in the clinic. Lectures will cover extensive topics throughout neurology including professional development. Each year, virtually all clinically relevant topics are covered at least once.