Epilepsy Fellowship
About the Fellowship
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, part of the USC Keck Medical System, is pleased to announce openings for a newly-approved ACGME-accredited pediatric epilepsy fellowship. Our group has considerable clinical and neurophysiologic resources. We have 5 pediatric board-certified epileptologists with a busy epilepsy surgery program offering ECoG-guided resections, phase II studies with implanted grids/strips and depths, stereo-EEG, EEG source localization and minimally invasive laser ablation. We have a large VNS program and are initiating pediatric RNS. We follow over 100 children on either ketogenic diet or modified Atkins diet with the help of two full time dietitians. We have a robust epilepsy drug study program with over 10 active studies. CHLA has an active outpatient EEG lab, a dedicated pediatric EMU, and neuro-critical care EEG monitoring. Our Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic includes an Epilepsy Surgery Clinic, Diet Therapy Clinic, Epilepsy Genetics Clinic and New Onset Seizure Clinic. All fellows have the opportunity to participate in research projects during their fellowship, mentored by one of our epileptologists. We have a strong epilepsy genetics lab with all genetic testing now done in house at CHLA. Being the largest Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, we serve a diverse population and see the full spectrum of pediatric epilepsy.
Why CHLA?
CHLA is offering a Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship, one of the first in the country. Fellows will receive some adult experience but this fellowship will focus on pediatric epilepsy from neonates through adolescence. CHLA is a large freestanding Children’s Hospital serving Los Angeles County. We care for a diverse patient population and see routine pediatric illnesses as well as rare conditions.
Learn More about the Training Program
Fellows will rotate between inpatient and outpatient services. During inpatient rotations, fellows will cover the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit, admitting patients and reading the video/EEG studies. Our EMU routinely admits presurgical and surgical patients with both invasive monitoring using grids/strips and stereo EEG patients. Inpatient fellows will also cover the OR cases for the invasive monitoring patients. Outpatient fellows will rotate between reading routine EEG’s, ICU EEG’s and clinic. Specialty clinics include new onset seizure, epilepsy surgery/neuromodulation, diet therapy and epilepsy genetics. All fellows will also participate in a research project of their choosing to be completed during the year of training with the help of a mentor. Opportunities to work in the drug study program are also available. Two months of adult epilepsy training is available conducted at our partner facility, University of Southern California. USC has a busy comprehensive epilepsy program and an ACGME epilepsy fellowship program. They offer routine EEG’s, ICU monitoring, epilepsy surgery and a neuromodulation program with an active RNS program.
How to Apply
To apply send a copy of your CV and 2 letters of recommendation to EpilepsyFellowship@chla.usc.edu.
Program Fast Facts
ACGME Accredited: Yes
Fellows Per Year: 2
Applicants are welcome from the following primary specialties: Child Neurology
Application Timeline: Accepting applications now
Duration: 1 year
Postgraduate Training Required: Child neurology residency
U.S. Citizenship Required: No
Benefits Include: Health and dental insurance, 14 days paid vacation+ 6 protected sick days, yearly educational stipend, monthly meal stipend, and 401(k) matching up to 3%
Where Do Fellows Go When They Graduate?
This is a new fellowship, however, nationwide there is a shortage of pediatric epileptologists. This shortage is especially pronounced in Southern California. We are hopeful many of our fellows will remain in the region and continue to serve the community CHLA treats.