Curriculum
The University of Rochester Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-compliant program designed to develop expertise across the full spectrum of neuromuscular disease. The program provides a strong foundation in adult neuromuscular medicine, with opportunities to gain additional experience in pediatric neuromuscular disorders through our dedicated pediatric program. This structure allows fellows to tailor their clinical experience to their interests while gaining a broad understanding of neuromuscular disease across the lifespan.
Unlike traditional block-rotation models, fellows participate in each specialty clinic every week throughout the academic year. This longitudinal approach allows fellows to build meaningful continuity with patients and faculty, reinforce clinical knowledge through repeated exposure, and progressively develop clinical confidence while maintaining and expanding their skills throughout the year. Our continuity clinic is fellow-led on a case-by-case basis, allowing fellows to take an active role in patient evaluation, clinical decision-making, and management with individualized faculty supervision and feedback.
Fellows gain extensive experience caring for adult patients with a broad range of neuromuscular disorders across our specialty clinics. Fellows may also participate in our pediatric neuromuscular program, which provides exposure to pediatric neuromuscular disease with particular clinical experience in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), myotonic dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Our curriculum combines high-volume clinical experience with structured didactics, electrodiagnostic training, neuromuscular ultrasound, neuromuscular pathology, and scholarly activity. Fellows are active participants in their own education through daily case discussions, weekly educational conferences, monthly journal clubs, multidisciplinary conferences, and individualized faculty mentorship. This integrated approach prepares fellows to confidently evaluate and manage patients with a wide range of neuromuscular disorders.
Typical Week
A typical week is designed to provide balanced clinical, educational, and scholarly experiences.
Clinic begins at 8:00 AM- Four half-days of multidisciplinary Neuromuscular and MDA clinics
- Three to four half-days in the EMG Laboratory
- One half-day dedicated to research and scholarly activities
- One to two half-days in muscle and nerve pathology
- Continuous collaboration with core neuromuscular faculty throughout the year
Longitudinal Clinical Training
Rather than rotating through one subspecialty clinic at a time, fellows participate in each clinic every week throughout the year. This model provides continuous exposure to the full breadth of neuromuscular disease, promotes continuity of care, strengthens diagnostic skills through repetition, and allows fellows to develop lasting mentorship with faculty while following patients over time.
Didactics and Conferences
Daily EMG Sign-out Rounds
Interactive 30–60 minute case discussions held after EMG studies that emphasize clinical reasoning, electrodiagnostic interpretation, and teaching points from the day's patients.
Neurology Grand Rounds: Wednesdays, 12:00 PM
Department-wide presentations by experts addressing advances in neurology, neuroscience, clinical practice, and research.
Neuromuscular Conference: Weekly – Fridays, 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
A structured lecture series for Neuromuscular Medicine and Clinical Neurophysiology fellows covering the fundamentals of electrodiagnostic medicine, peripheral nerve anatomy, neuromuscular pathology, and the diagnosis and management of nerve and muscle disorders.
Neuromuscular Journal Club: Second Friday of each month – 11:00 AM
Faculty and fellows critically review landmark and emerging literature that has shaped neuromuscular practice while discussing new developments in patient care and research.
Neuropathy and Myopathy Case Conference: First and last Friday of each month – 11:00 AM
A multidisciplinary forum to discuss challenging cases, review diagnostic approaches, share clinical updates, and explore ongoing research and quality improvement initiatives.
Program Benefits
- Vacation: 20 days of vacation plus 9 University holidays.
- Professional Education Stipend: $2,000 annual educational allowance for books, educational resources, courses, conferences, and other approved professional development activities.
A Collaborative Approach to Complex Care
The fellowship emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, integrating expertise from neurology, pathology, genetics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pulmonology, cardiology, physical therapy and social work. This collaborative model ensures that fellows are trained in both the science and the art of caring for patients with complex neuromuscular conditions.
