The one-year, CAST-accredited Stereotactic, Functional and Epilepsy Neurosurgery Fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers comprehensive subspecialty training in functional neurosurgery and epilepsy surgery.
The program closely adheres to the Society of Neurological Surgeons' curriculum for subspecialty training fellowships in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, providing fellows exposure to a diverse range of advanced surgical techniques and innovative treatments.
Fellows can also gain significant exposure to both surgical and procedural treatments for facial pain and peripheral nerve surgery, including nerve transfers for spinal cord injury and brachial plexus repair.
Why Choose UAB?
As Alabama’s largest academic medical center and one of the largest in the United States, UAB draws a high-volume, complex patient population from across the Southeast. The Stereotactic, Functional and Epilepsy Neurosurgery Fellowship is structured to ensure that fellows gain expertise in cutting-edge procedures while working alongside nationally recognized leaders in the field.
Functional Neurosurgery
UAB is home to the renowned Comprehensive Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic, recognized as one of only nine nationally designated advanced research centers by the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. The center brings together both neurosurgeons and neurologists, with senior faculty members who have authored more than 150 publications in the area of movement disorders.
Harrison Walker, M.D., a neurologist and movement disorders specialist, has secured significant grant funding to support a variety of intraoperative research projects, advancing the understanding and treatment of movement disorders.
Currently, UAB is in the process of acquiring focused ultrasound (FUS) technology, which will be integrated into the newly constructed iMRI suite, further expanding the institution’s patient care capabilities.
Epilepsy Neurosurgery
UAB's Level IV Epilepsy Center, the only one in the state, provides comprehensive and advanced diagnostic and treatment options for patients with epilepsy.
As one of just 21 sites nationwide equipped with magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic source imaging (MSI), the center provides cutting-edge imaging and evaluation techniques, including 3T, 5T, and 7T MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ictal and interictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered to MRI (SISCOM), Wada testing, and neuropsychological assessments.
The center includes 17 adult epileptologists and four pediatric epileptologists, who refer patients directly to UAB Hospital and Children’s of Alabama (COA) for specialized care.
At UAB, the full gamut of surgical epilepsy interventions is available to patients, ranging from Stage 2 stereoelectroencephalography (stereo-EEG) and grid and strip electrocorticography (ECoG) with cortical mapping to open resections and minimally invasive procedures such as laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The center also specializes in neuromodulation techniques, including responsive neurostimulation (RNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), ensuring that each patient receives a carefully tailored approach to epilepsy management.
Institutional Resources and Technology
UAB offers a wide range of advanced resources and technology to support the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship. The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) includes a 10-bed facility at UAB and an additional one-bed unit at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, with plans for expansion to 28 beds by mid-2025 in a newly renovated space.
The program is equipped with state-of-the-art surgical and diagnostic equipment, including two intracranial EEG machines, five ambulatory EEG machines, and 32 continuous video EEG machines at UAB, as well as four additional EEG machines at the VA.
Fellows gain experience with a variety of stereotactic and image-guided surgery systems, ensuring familiarity with multiple platforms for advanced neurosurgical procedures.
Available systems include:
- NexFrame
- Leksell
- ClearPoint
- STarFix FHC microtargeting
- Cosman-Roberts-Wells (CRW) frame
Through exposure to these resources, fellows are enabled to master a range of approaches, preparing them to adapt seamlessly to different technologies and surgical environments throughout their careers.
Faculty Attendings and Mentorship
Fellows will primarily train under three expert neurosurgeons, each with subspecialty training from the nation’s top institutions in functional and epilepsy neurosurgery:
- Nicole Bentley, M.D. – Residency: University of Michigan | Fellowship: Emory University (functional and epilepsy neurosurgery) under Dr. Robert Gross
- Marshall Holland, M.D., MS – Residency: University of Iowa | Fellowship: Oregon Health and Science University (functional neurosurgery) under Dr. Kim Burchiel; University of Florida (specialty) under Dr. Kelly Foote
- Jasmine Thum, M.D. – Residency: University of California, Los Angeles | Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco (functional and epilepsy neurosurgery) under Dr. Philip Starr and Dr. Edward Chang; Massachusetts General Hospital (peripheral nerve) under Dr. Justin Brown
Two pediatric neurosurgeons at Children’s of Alabama also perform epilepsy surgery and neuromodulation for pediatric movement disorders:
Fellowship Structure
Fellows will train primarily at UAB under the co-direction of Nicole Bentley, M.D., (movement disorders) and Jasmine Thum, M.D., (epilepsy), with additional training at Children’s of Alabama and the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
Clinical responsibilities will include:
- Participate in the adult DBS service
- Contribute to the development of the pediatric DBS program at both Children’s of Alabama and the VA
- Gain experience in radiosurgery, which is expected to transition to focused ultrasound in 2026
- Optional involvement in the Peripheral Nerve Clinic
As part of a neurosurgery instructorship, fellows will:
- Hold staff privileges
- Take emergency call
- Manage a clinical service
- Run a weekly neurosurgery clinic
- Mentor neurosurgery residents in and out of the operating room
- Lead periodic resident teaching conferences, guiding residents through subspecialty topic discussions
In addition to their clinical duties, fellows will have the opportunity to participate in research projects in functional neurosurgery, epilepsy, facial pain, and peripheral nerve surgery, allowing them to contribute to ongoing advancements in the field.
Application Information
- Apply here
- Fellowship duration: July 1–June 30 (flexible based on residency graduation)
- Now recruiting for: 2026-27 and 2027-28 fellowship terms
- For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:
- Nicole Bentley, M.D. – jbentley@uabmc.edu
- Jasmine Thum, M.D. – jathum@uabmc.edu