About the Program
Message From the Program Director
The Vascular Neurology Fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine is an opportunity to learn all facets of stroke neurology at the largest medical center complex in the world, the Texas Medical Center, from leaders in stroke care, research and education. The fellowship provides training in the full spectrum of care for the stroke patients, integrating this training into stroke systems of care and developing a critical, thoughtful approach to complex patients.
The fellowship is a one-year clinical and elective program with an optional second-year research experience depending on availability. The program director is Pitchaiah Mandava, M.D., Ph.D., MSEE, professor in the Department of Neurology. He is certified in vascular neurology and neuro-critical care and highly respected for his contributions to stroke research, outcome modeling and novel acute stroke therapies. He is also a fulbright specialist funded by the U.S. Department of State to teach Computer Science and Machine Learning (2018-2023).
With clinical care centered at two of the largest affiliated hospitals, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the fellow will experience two different and complementary experiences. Baylor St. Luke's has one of the busiest acute stroke services in the nation with a well-organized and active inpatient, neurocritical care and telestroke program. MEDVAMC is the largest neurology inpatient service and the only Joint Commission-certified Stroke Center in the national VA system with an emphasis on inpatient care, secondary prevention and clinical and basic research.
There are 10 Baylor neurology faculty members who directly participate in the fellowship program in addition to colleagues in interventional neuroradiology, vascular neurosurgery, vascular surgery, rehabilitation, vascular medicine and cardiology. Required and elective rotations are available to experience the entire range of expertise available. Each setting will be available for six months of required and elective rotations.
Fellows
Curriculum
A mandatory six-week block of didactics is scheduled dealing with emergency management of acute ischemic stroke, intra-cerebral hemorrhage, sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, and subdual hemorrhage. Introductory lectures will be held on CT, CT angiogram, CT perfusion, MR imaging, MRA, and MR diffusion and perfusion imaging.
Weekly stroke conferences, journal clubs, and mortality and morbidity conferences augment the educational experiences. Standard textbooks dealing with acute stroke care, neurocritical care, neurosonology, neuroradiology and interventional radiology are available at both sites of training.
Neurosonology
At Baylor St. Luke's and the DeBakey VA Medical Center, the vascular neurology fellow will work with registered vascular technologists (RVT's) in learning how to perform noninvasive studies of the cerebrovascular system via ultrasound technology. The vascular fellow will work with physicians experienced in interpreting the results of carotid ultrasound and trans-cranial Doppler. The fellow will also learn about the physics and biological principles behind the medical use of ultrasound technology. A one-month rotation in the vascular laboratory is planned.
Neuro-Interventional Radiology
The vascular neurology fellow will work directly with interventional neuroradiologists to learn the indications and limitations of interventional neuroradiological techniques in regards to stroke management. The vascular fellow will observe and participate in interventional procedures as per the interventional neuroradiologist. The fellow will participate in outpatient clinics where potential candidates are evaluated for neuro-interventional procedures. The procedures include carotid and intra-cranial stenting, intra-arterial thrombolysis (both mechanical and chemical), and endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. One- to two-month rotations are planned for the vascular fellow depending on the interests of the fellow.
Neuroradiology
The vascular neurology fellow will learn about the indications and limitations of various diagnostic tests used to image the neuraxis. The fellow will work directly with neuroradiologist to acquire skills in interpreting these imaging studies. The imaging studies includes cranial and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), conventional cerebral angiography, carotid and cranial Doppler studies, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). One to two rotations are planned depending on the interests of the fellow.
The vascular neurology faculty has broad interests in different aspects of stroke research. Many are recognized leaders and published widely in the area of translational stroke, acute stroke research, health services research, clinical trial design and analysis, genetics and basic science of stroke. Mentoring program starting in the first year of fellowship program is possible for interested candidates.
Now Accepting Applications
The December cycle of fellowship applications has begun. Interested applicants must register with the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) to complete an application online for consideration.
Our affiliate hospitals include many that ranked among the best in the United States.