TBI/NEUROREHABILITATION FELLOWSHIP

A one-year fellowship opportunity for a Board Eligible/Board Certified physiatrist interested in Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI)/Neurorehabilitation fellowship is available at the Center For Head Injuries, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Edison, New Jersey, and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The Center for Head Injuries at JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute provides rehabilitation services to patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) through a continuum of care rehabilitation model. This model incorporates inpatient acute and subacute rehabilitation, and outpatient cognitive programs, focusing on the goal of return to community. JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute is one of only sixteen federally funded TBI Model System Centers in the United States, and actively participates in numerous TBI collaborative research projects. The Center recently gained national exposure as the featured facility in the September 2007, HBO special COMA. This two-hour special, tracking four Centers for Head Injuries patients over a year period, details the patient's medical progress, and the impact of injury and treatment on the patients and families. A collaborative study on a patient from our program with TBI and the use of Deep Brain Stimulation was published in Nature, Vol. 448 Pg 600-603/2 August 2007. These specific projects with exposure to state of the art intervention are examples of ongoing research and advances being made at Center for Head Injury, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. Participation in other current research and pursuit of research topics of personal interest in the advancement of Brain Injury Rehabilitation are welcome.

Fellowship Description:
This fellowship will provide the selected candidate with exposure to the continuum of care offered at a Model System TBI program. The experiences and challenges of this Model System TBI Program will prepare the candidate to medically manage the TBI patient population, and ultimately direct and manage a Brain Injury Unit.

Fellowship Objectives:
Upon completion of the program, the Fellow will demonstrate the ability to:

• Manage spasticity through various means including serial casting, medications, motor point and nerve blocks, botulinum toxin injections, and intrathecal baclofen pumps.
• Clinically manage the medical, pharmacological, and rehabilitative needs of persons with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury.
• Competently perform mental status and neurological exams as well as interpretation and application of neuroimaging studies and neurophysiological testing.
• Develop and implement specialized treatment regimes including behavioral modification programs and coma management.
• Function as the leader of the rehabilitation team, designing and implementing comprehensive rehabilitation programs in the brain injury setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the management principles and practices related to the brain injury population.
• Develop an understanding of clinical medical research through topics in statistics, basic measurements, IRB approvals, and clinical design.

Curriculum:
Inpatient Acute Brain Injury

Subacute Inpatient Brain Injury

Outpatient Cognitive Rehab

Spasticity Clinic

Baclofen Clinic

Electives may be available based on the Fellow's and the Department's needs and interests.

Fellows are encouraged to complete at least one research project during their training. Submitting case reports for poster presentations and/or publications is strongly encouraged.
Project suggestions and assistance may be obtained from the Director of Residency Research and/or other faculty members.

Application Process:
Applications can be submitted anytime after July 1 for the next academic year. Interviews are conducted from October through December.
Interested candidates may forward their CV and letters of reference (2) via e-mail tojvilar@solarishs.org or fax to (732) 321-7330. To reach me by phone call 732-321-7000 ext. 62151

For further information on this fellowship or the application process, please contact, Dr. Eduardo Lopez, Fellowship Program Director at edlopez@solarishs.org.
Eduardo Lopez, MD
Associate Medical Director
Clinical Director
Center for Head Injuries
E-mail: edlopez@solarishs.org