Headache Medicine Fellowship

Dear prospective candidates,

Thank you for your interest in Nuvance Health Headache Medicine Fellowship program. Our program is committed to providing a high-quality, hands-on learning experience to the fellow. The one-year fellowship accepts one fellow per year. During the one year training period, fellow will gain experience in the diagnosis and management of chronic and acute headache disorders in a professional, collaborative, inclusive, diverse and innovative environment.

Our Program is based at the Nuvance Health’s Neuroscience Institute outpatient practice, located on the campus of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, the flagship hospital of Nuvance Health in New York. The fellow will receive individualized attention and learning due to the small size of the program, and work closely with me, our faculty, and attending physicians to become proficient in the knowledge and procedures related to headache medicine. As a Headache Medicine specialist, I am passionate about educating our patients and the community about headache and ways to treat and prevent it. Our fellow will gain invaluable experience in bringing awareness to the community and be an advocate for patients suffering headaches. The fellow will integrate headache medicine principles into maternal medicine, primary care, and emergency medicine specialties through education of residents and physicians within the Nuvance Health system.

Our faculty and I look forward to training the next generation of Headache Medicine specialist!

 

 

Hida Nierenburg, MD
Director, Headache Fellowship

Program Information

Nuvance Health Headache Medicine Fellowship program accepts one fellow per year. During the one year training, fellow will gain experience in the diagnosis and management of chronic and acute headache disorders. The fellow will work closely with the faculty, Program Director, and attendings to become proficient in the knowledge and procedures related to headache medicine. A strong focus of the fellowship will be migraine intervention and management.

An important focus of our program is tto provide community outreach and education regarding headache. The fellow will actively engage the community, from medical professionals to the community at large, and becoming a voice for migraine and headache awareness at all times. Furthermore, the program will integrate headache medicine principles into maternal medicine, primary care, and emergency medicine specialties through the education of residents and physicians within the health system. This will provide the fellow with a comprehensive well-rounded approach that will assist in their future consulting role.

The program also prides itself in adapting to the most up-to-date treatment modalities that are available, including the use of electroceutical treatment and utilizing Telemedicine for those who are unable to travel for regular consults and follow-up visits. This type of adaptation will prepare the fellow for future practice in an increasingly technologically based society and the adjustments that are required within the medical community to continue effective patient care through different modalities.

Academic Offerings

The Headache Medicine Fellowship Program is committed to providing high-quality education throughout the entirety of the program. The Program provides extensive teaching that occur longitudinally throughout all clinical settings for fellows. Most of the teaching will occur at outpatient setting within Neuroscience Institute space where fellow will have opportunity to see headache patients with the Headache faculty and in the presence of a multi-disciplinary team. This allows for true integration of teaching into patient care responsibilities. Additionally, the program will have regularly scheduled didactic weekly sessions throughout the year. During all teaching within the program, faculty are committed to providing consistent feedback to the fellow and allowing for opportunities of learning to facilitate individual fellow growth. Fellow will also have the opportunity to interact with Neurology residents and provide valuable teaching sessions.

Program Leadership

Hida Nierenburg, MD
Director, Headache Fellowship Program
APD, Neurology Residency Program
Director, Headache & Facial Pain Center

Didactic & Core Curriculum Conference Series

Fellow will attend didactic sessions as part of the Program’s Conference Series weekly. Core Conference series will cover the below overarching topics:

  • Epidemiology and Comorbidity
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Headache Classification and diagnosis
  • Evaluation and Diagnostic Testing
  • Treatment
  • Board Preparation

Quality Improvement & Research Projects

Fellow will participate in research and Quality Improvement projects on a regular basis. During the training period, fellow is expected to engage in a QI project in collaboration with the faculty and neuro residents and to submit an abstract to American Headache Society, American Academy of Neurology, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, or ACGME. Fellow will also actively participate in current headache research projects.

How to Apply

The Nuvance Health Headache Fellowship Program at Vassar Brothers Medical Center thanks you for your interest in applying to our program. Our program participates annually in the NRMP Match Program (NRMP program code:2183N01F0) and will follow the American Headache Society fellowship application timeline. (Headache Medicine Fellowship Opportunities | American Headache Society) We hope you choose to join us.

Requirements: The following items are required for consideration of interview. All items must be received by email. Please send to: Aimin.Wen@NuvanceHealth.org

  • Personal Statement
  • Current CV
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • USMLE Transcript with Step I, II, III scores or COMLEX Level 1, 2, 3 scores
  • Residency Program Director’s Letter

All interviews will be done virtually through Thalamus.