dmc-wsu

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program

Elsayed

Mona Elsayed, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Program Director, CNP Fellowship program
Email:  dy9043@wayne.edu 
 

The Clinical Neurophysiology (CNP) Fellowship at Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University School of Medicine is a 1-year, ACGME-accredited program offering three fellowship positions annually. 

  • Current Availability (2027–2028):  
  • 2 positions filled 
  • 1 position remaining open 

Program Highlights 

  • Dual training tracks: 
  • EEG / Epilepsy Track 
  • EMG / Neuromuscular Track 
  • Advanced clinical environment: 
  • NAEC-designated Level IV Epilepsy Center 
  • 6-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) 
  • Robotic stereo-EEG (ROSA) technology 
  • Comprehensive pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation program 

Additional Training Opportunities 

  • Integrated 2-year pathway combining:  

  • Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship 

  • Epilepsy Fellowship 

Eligibility 

  • Applicants must have completed a neurology residency accredited by the ACGME (U.S.) or an accepted international equivalent. 

Application Process 

  • The program participates in the NRMP Match 

Clinical Training Experience 

The program offers comprehensive, hands-on training across a wide spectrum of clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy care, including: 

  • Long-term EEG monitoring 
  • Inpatient monitoring (including ICU settings) 
  • Outpatient ambulatory EEG studies 
  • Intracranial EEG monitoring 
  • Subdural grids and strips 
  • Stereo-EEG (sEEG) 
  • Advanced treatment modalities 
  • Medical management of epilepsy 
  • Surgical interventions, including:  
  • Resective surgery 
  • Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) 
  • Neuromodulation therapies:  
  • Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) 
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) 
  • Functional brain mapping for presurgical planning 
  • Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) 
  • Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations 
  • Pre-surgical assessments 
  • Specialized outpatient epilepsy clinics, including: 
  • RNS/neuromodulation clinic 
  • Epilepsy in pregnancy 
  • Epilepsy in the elderly 
  • Ketogenic Therapy 
  • Evoked potential studies 
  • Neuromuscular training 
  • Nerve conduction studies (NCS) 
  • Electromyography (EMG) 
  • Neuromuscular ultrasound for diagnostic evaluation 
  • Procedural experience, including: 
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections 
  • Skin biopsy 
  • Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) 
  • 2–4 week rotation at the University of Michigan (UOM) 

Track-Specific Curriculum 

EEG / Epilepsy Track 
 
1. Training in a Level IV Epilepsy Center 

Fellows train within an NAEC-designated Level IV Epilepsy Center, providing exposure to the full spectrum of advanced epilepsy care. During EEG rotations, fellows participate in: 
 
  • Daily multidisciplinary EMU rounds (Monday–Friday) in a 6-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit 

  • anagement of both scalp and intracranial EEG monitoring, including:  

  • Subdural grids and strips 

  • ROSA-assisted stereo-EEG (sEEG) 

The program offers a comprehensive presurgical evaluation framework, including: 

  • High-resolution MRI 

  • PET imaging 

  • Ictal/interictal SPECT 

  • SISCOM analysis 

  • Functional MRI (fMRI) 

  • Neuropsychological testing 

  • Wada testing 

  • Neuropathology 

Fellows are actively engaged in every stage of the epilepsy surgery pathway, including: 

  • Initial patient screening and evaluation 

  • Diagnostic workup and case formulation 

  • Participation in multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conferences 

  • Postoperative follow-up and outcome assessment 

This longitudinal involvement ensures a complete understanding of surgical decision-making and outcomes in epilepsy care. 

2. Structured Neuromodulation and RNS Training 

The program provides robust, hands-on experience in neuromodulation therapies, with a particular emphasis on Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS). 

  • Fellows participate in dedicated monthly neuromodulation clinics (Thursdays and Fridays) 

  • Direct, supervised experience in:  

  • RNS device interrogation 

  • Adjustment of stimulation parameters 

  • Interpretation of stored electrographic data 

This structured approach ensures fellows develop proficiency in advanced neuromodulation management, a key skill in modern epilepsy care. 

3. Critical Care EEG Competency
 
The program provides comprehensive training in all EEG modalities, with a strong emphasis on continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring in critical care settings at Harper Hospital and Detroit Receiving Hospital ICUs. 

Fellows develop proficiency in: 

  • Application of ACNS standardized EEG terminology 

  • Recognition and management of status epilepticus 

  • EEG-based neuroprognostication in critically ill patients 

4. Continuity Epilepsy Clinic 

During EEG rotations, fellows participate in a continuity epilepsy clinic: 
 
  • Half-day clinic per week 

This clinic fosters continuity of care and allows fellows to: 

  • Follow patients over time 

  • Develop long-term management strategies 

  • Monitor treatment response and outcomes 

  • Evaluation and management of complex, drug-resistant epilepsy 

  • Identification and selection of candidates for epilepsy surgery 

  • Exposure to the full spectrum of epilepsy syndromes and etiologies 

In addition, fellows may choose from a range of specialty epilepsy clinics, including: 

  • Epilepsy in pregnancy 

  • Epilepsy in the elderly 

  • Ketogenic therapy 

  • New-onset seizure clinic 

  • Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) clinic 

This flexible structure allows fellows to individualize their training experience while gaining expertise in specialized patient populations. 

EMG / Neuromuscular Track 

1. EMG Case Volume and Diversity 

The program provides extensive hands-on training in electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine across multiple clinical settings. 
 
  • Outpatient EMG/NCS clinics (4 days/week) at Detroit Medical Center 
  • Additional exposure through VA hospital EMG clinics (1–2 half-days/week) 

Fellows will gain exposure to the full spectrum of neuromuscular disorders, including neuropathies, myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, and motor neuron diseases.  This high-volume, diverse experience ensures strong preparation for independent EMG practice. 

2. Neuromuscular Ultrasound Integration 

The program incorporates neuromuscular ultrasound as an essential diagnostic and procedural tool. 
 
Fellows receive structured training in: 
 
  • Peripheral nerve ultrasound 

  • Muscle ultrasound 

  • Ultrasound-guided procedures 

3. Continuity Neuromuscular Clinic
 
During EMG rotations, fellows participate in a continuity clinic: 
 
  • One half-day per week 
This experience allows fellows to: 
 
  • Follow patients over time 

  • Correlate clinical findings with EDX and imaging results 

  • Develop comprehensive neuromuscular care plans 

In addition, fellows may choose from a range of specialty neuromuscular clinics, including: 

  • Diabetic polyneuropathy clinic (with skin biopsy exposure) 

  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) clinic 

  • Neurogenetics clinic  

4. Procedural Training: Botox and Skin Biopsy 

The program provides hands-on training in key neuromuscular procedures at both DMC and VA clinics, including: 
 
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for neuromuscular indications 
  • Skin biopsies for evaluation of small fiber neuropathy 

Elective Rotation 

The Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship offers a diverse range of elective opportunities to support individualized training and career development. 

  • Fellows may select one elective rotation of 4 weeks duration during the fellowship year 

Available Elective Options 

  • Sleep Disorders 

  • Pediatric Epilepsy 

  • Neuroimmunology 

  • Neuroradiology 

  • Movement Disorders 

  • Neurocritical Care 

  • Research 

These electives allow fellows to: 

  • Tailor their training toward specific clinical or academic interests 
  • Gain exposure to complementary subspecialties 
  • Enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and broaden clinical expertise 

Clinical Neurophysiology Didactic lectures: 

Day/Time 

Current Conference 

Opportunity 

Each Monday 11:30am–12:30pm 

Epilepsy Surgery Conference (joint with pediatric epilepsy) 

Fellows participate in adult epilepsy surgery cases PowerPoint presentations presurgical evaluation or stereoEEG/ECOG cases. 

Each Thursday 12pm–1pm 

Epilepsy/EEG Lecture Series 

Few In-Service exams and board-style questions at end of each session 

Each Friday 10am–11am 

EMG/Neuromuscular Lecture Series 

Few In-Service exams and board-style questions at end of each session 

Friday

11:30am–12:30pm (Monthly) 

Interesting EEG Cases Conference 

Include critical care EEG or EMU cases 

1st Thursday 12pm–1pm 

(Monthly) 

Journal Club 

Fellow present and discuss an interesting article finding in EEG/Epilepsy or EMG/Neuromuscular 

Each Friday 11:30am–12:30pm 

Grand Rounds (optional) 

Encourage attendance; as part of scholarly activity 

Friday

11:30am–12:30pm 

(Bimonthly) 

M & M conference (optional) 

Encourage attendance; as part of scholarly activity and patient safety 

 3rd Friday  

12:30-1:00 pm 

(Monthly) 

Eps and IONM 

In-Service exam and board-style questions at end of each session 

4th Friday  

12:30-1:00 pm 

(Monthly) 

Comprehensive course review 

CNP In-Service and Board Structured sessions with timed practice questions, EEG/ECoG, NCS/EMG interpretation exercises, epilepsy and neuromuscular diseases and therapy questions as well as Eps and IONM practice questions 

Mentoring Program Offers

  • Dedicated Faculty Mentorship:
    Each fellow is paired with a faculty mentor who provides individualized guidance and support throughout the program.

  • Clinical and Professional Development:
    Ongoing, day-to-day mentorship in clinical decision-making along with structured support for professional growth.

  • Scholarly Activity and Research Opportunities:
    Guidance and encouragement to participate in academic projects, including research, publications, and presentations.

  • Career Development and Board Preparation:
    Structured involvement in in-service training, board exam preparation, job search strategies, and long-term career planning.

  • Conference Participation:
    Active encouragement and support to attend major national meetings such as the American Epilepsy Society (AES), American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS), and American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

Upon graduation, the fellows will be eligible for the Clinical Neurophysiology board examination offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Depending on the fellows’ interest, EMG/Neuromuscular track, Clinical Neurophysiology fellows are also eligible to take the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. 

For additional information about the program, please contact our fellowship program coordinator:  

Amy Allemon 
Fellowship Program Coordinator Clinical Neurophysiology 
Department of Neurology 
4201 St. Antoine, UHC-8C, 
Detroit, MI  48201 
(313) 966 - 9687 (office)  

 

Former CNP Fellows: 

Hassan Souidan, MD, Detroit Medical Center Wayne State University 
Zainab Alalawi, MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
Rene Andrade, MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
David Chaar, MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
Derek Grayson MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
Hassan Imtiaz, MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
Gabriel Moreno, MD, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University 
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Faculty 1
Department of Neutology Wayne State University-Detroit Medical Center.