The Baylor Movement Disorders Fellowship was established in 1977 by Dr. Joseph Jankovic. The Pediatric Track, first introduced in 2014 as a collaborative effort between the Pediatric Movement Disorders Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Parkinson Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, provides child neurologists with advanced training in the evaluation and management of pediatric movement disorders. Training includes complementary experience in adult movement disorders, which allows for superior recognition of movement disorder phenomenology while offering additional opportunities to develop skills such as advanced DBS programming. Graduates will identify genetic and acquired disorders that cause a broad spectrum of phenomenology, including tics, chorea, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, stereotypy, parkinsonism, paroxysmal dyskinesia, ataxia, and others, and will be prepared to deliver comprehensive, expert care across the spectrum of pediatric movement disorders.
Fellows participate in regular video rounds, which allow for the sharing of clinical pearls from all Baylor Movement faculty, receive mentoring to develop research interests and publications, and have opportunities to attend movement disorders conferences domestically and abroad. Fellows also care for acutely ill movement disorders patients who are admitted to Texas Children's Hospital, by leading our inpatient pediatric movement disorders consult service.
Core clinical training includes:
- Direct patient care across pediatric and adult specialty clinics
- Inpatient pediatric movement disorders consultations
- Pharmacologic management, botulinum toxin injections, and deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Regular video rounds and case-based discussions with faculty
- Multidisciplinary exposure (neurogenetics, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, orthopedics)
- Tailored training in areas of interest (e.g., neurogenetics, spasticity management)
Fellowship Details
- Duration: 12 months
- Sites: Pediatric Movement Disorders Clinic, Texas Children’s Hospital; Parkinson Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, BCM McNair Campus
- Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D. or D.O. degree, have completed a residency program in child neurology or neurodevelopmental disabilities, and be eligible for medical licensure in Texas.
Academic and Research Opportunities
Fellows benefit from the resources of the PDCMDC and Texas Children’s Hospital, both internationally recognized centers for patient care and research. Opportunities include:
- Protected time for scholarly work, with the expectation of presenting abstracts and submitting manuscripts for publication
- Didactic teaching
- Participation in clinical trials
Application Instructions
Applications must include:
- Cover letter and one-page personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation (including one from residency program director)
- USMLE/COMLEX transcripts and documentation of visa/ECFMG status, if applicable
Submit as a single PDF to destrada@bcm.edu.
Program begins July 1. Applications must be submitted by March 30 of the preceding year.
Program Leadership
- Mered Parnes, M.D. – Director, Pediatric Track
- Steven Bellows, M.D. – Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship
- Diana Gallaga – Fellowship Coordinator
