The mission of the Epilepsy Fellowship Program at UAB is to provide comprehensive training, such that fellows will emerge as experts in the thorough evaluation and medical/surgical management of epilepsy. Fellows will learn the clinical skills necessary to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in independent practice. The fellowship will foster intellectual curiosity essential for the pursuit of knowledge through research.

The Epilepsy Fellowship at UAB is a two-year program, with an ACGME accredited Year 1 and an Advanced Epilepsy Year 2. During Year 1, fellows learn EEG and clinical skills necessary to provide high-quality, patient-centered evaluation and medical and surgical management of epilepsy. Year 2 provides more comprehensive training in surgical procedures and management of refractory epilepsy. Fellows will have more time allotted for research and to explore topics within epilepsy.

Rotations: sample year 1 rotation

KEY

• EMU = Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Rotation
• LTM = Long Term Monitoring (ICU continuous video EEG) Rotation
• VA = Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Rotation
• COA = Children’s Hospital of Alabama Rotation

NOTES

Two half-days of outpatient continuity clinic at UAB per week during non-EMU blocks
One half-day of outpatient clinic at Cooper Green Hospital during 1 LTM block
One day of EEG readding at the VA hospital per week
Research can be conducted during the elective month at 70%. Additional research time can be accommodated per fellow’s request.
Vacation can be taken during the elective month or during any LTM month

Possible Electives (including, but not limited to)

• Pediatric Outpatient
• Advanced surgical treatment
• Neuroradiology
• Neurocritical Care
• Neurosurgery
• Epilepsy Subspecialty Clinics
• Research

Call Schedule

While on EMU, fellows are expected to be present from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight and weekend calls only occur while on the EMU service, alternating calls with the attending on service. The attending physician will always be on backup to provide necessary supervision.

Didactics Lecture Series

Incoming fellows have an epilepsy “boot camp” lecture series in the first month of their training. The aim is to familiarize fellows EEG techniques, epilepsy diagnosis, and management. There are weekly neurology Grand Rounds and noon Epilepsy conference with lectures covering topics in epilepsy. Fellows are expected to participate in our monthly Journal Club. Fellows will also be participating in Epilepsy Surgical Conference, which occurs twice monthly.

Research and Quality Improvement

Fellows are expected to participate in scholarly activity and quality improvement projects. We have multiple faculty with ongoing projects, a UAB Quality Academy Program, or fellows can create their own projects.

The UAB Epilepsy Center has vigorous research program that has grown dramatically in recent years with multiple active NIH-funded researchers. Areas of research expertise include the following:

• Functional imaging of Psychogenic Non-epileptic seizures

• MRS-thermometry as a measure of neuroinflammation in epilepsy

• Ultra high-resolution imaging of the hippocampus

• Cannabis in the treatment of epilepsy

• Hippocampal morphology and memory

• Epilepsy epigenetics

• Effect of exercise on memory in epilepsy

Benefits

Fellows at UAB receive a salary that is commensurate with their level of training, ensuring they are competitively compensated for their dedication and work. Comprehensive insurance coverage is available at a low cost, ensuring fellows and their dependents have access to health, dental, and vision care without undue financial burden. An annual educational allowance is provided to fellows, which can be used for purchasing books, attending conferences, and other educational materials, supporting their academic growth.

Ashley Thomas, M.D.
Epilepsy Fellowship Director
aethomas@uabmc.edu

Quynh Vo, M.D.
Epilepsy Fellowship Associate Director
qvo@uabmc.edu

Kim Harris
Epilepsy Program Coordinator
P: (205) 996-2092 | kharris@uabmc.edu