Child neurology fellowship
David J. Leszczyszyn, M.D., Ph.D.
The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Neurology’s Division of Child Neurology trains three fellows per year — one from each PGY level.
The child neurology fellowship, led by David J. Leszczyszyn, M.D., Ph.D, allows increasing patient care responsibility across three years of training. During the first year, emphasis is on bedside anatomic localization and clinical diagnosis — the foundations of clinical neurology.
In addition, the modern clinical neuroscientist must be well-versed in the most up-to-date and technical neurodiagnostic procedures. To this end, all trainees will develop expertise in neuropathology, neuroradiology, clinical neurophysiology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-intensive care and adult neurology through daily conferences and mandatory clinical rotations. Elective experience in pediatric neuro-rehabilitation is also available. Major NIH foundation- and university-funded programs provide research opportunities at the clinical and basic laboratory levels for the senior fellows.
About the program
The fellowship program offers organized clinical and neuroscience teaching opportunities with the possibility for significant elective time in the training program. Throughout the program, there are daily didactic lectures that include basic neuroscience, clinical neurophysiology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, child neurology and resident case presentations. CME-accredited neurology grand rounds occur once per week and include a variety of topics and speakers.
Sample rotation schedule
The VCU Department of Neurology operates on a 13-block rotation schedule; each block is four weeks in duration.
| PGY-3 | |
|---|---|
| Child neurology inpatient and clinics | 4 blocks |
| Adult neurology Inpatient wards (5 blocks) Night float (1.5 blocks) Outpatient clinic (1 block) |
7.5 blocks (total) |
| EEG | 1.5 blocks |
| PGY-4 | |
| Child neurology inpatient and clinic | 5 blocks |
| Adult neurology Consult (2 blocks) Outpatient clinic (2 blocks) Neuro-ophthalmology (1 block) |
5 blocks (total) |
| Neuropathology | 1 block |
| Electives | 2 blocks |
| PGY-5 | |
| Child neurology inpatient and clinic | 4 blocks |
| Child psychiatry | 1 block |
| Electives | 8 blocks |
How to apply
Fellowship positions begin July 1 of each year, with an application deadline of December 1st the prior year. The Division of Child Neurology will be participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and will be accepting applications through the Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS) beginning in the fall of 2013.
Additional application materials include a curriculum vita with applicant’s e-mail address and phone number, personal statement, NRMP number, official medical school transcript, test scores, dean’s letter and letters of recommendation.
Consideration for an interview will be given following the receipt of the application and all required documentation.
Letters of recommendation
A minimum of three letters dated within one year are required. Recommenders must be U.S. or Canadian physicians who know the applicant’s clinical skills and abilities, and have worked with the applicant during the past two years.
Test scores
Fellowship applicants must send all applicable test scores noted below:
- USMLE – must pass; however, no minimum score established
- COMLEX, if applicable
- TOEFL – score must be at least 600
- CSA/Step 2CS, if applicable
- TWE, if applicable
Visa
A legible copy of the applicant’s visa, if applicable, is required. VCU can only sponsor J-1 clinical visas.
Prerequisite training
Applicants to the child neurology fellowship must successfully complete the prerequisite training outlined by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Following the match, and prior to joining the fellowship program, applicants are required to provide a list of the rotations completed during prerequisite training. This must be received no later than July 15 and must appear on letterhead from the institution where prerequisite training was completed.
Applicants who plan to complete this training at another institution must ensure it meets American Council for Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology requirements.