EMG/Clinical Neurophysiology Program Fellowship

Program Overview

Training Sites

• Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health
• UC San Diego Medical Center - Hillcrest Hospital
• VA San Diego Healthcare Systems

Clinical Training

In addition to healthy amount of EMG training, the fellow will also be adept at intra-operative monitoring, botox, single fiber EMG, and ultrasound. Clinical evaluation of neuromuscular patients with muscle, nerve, motor neuron and neuromuscular junction disorders is incorporated into the curriculum so that the fellow can make informed decisions about the findings of complex EMG cases. Training in neuropathology, genetics of neuromuscular disease and therapeutics are also incorporated into the curriculum. We have robust inpatient pediatric and adult neuromuscular consultation and EMG services. Fellows take primary responsibility for the care and management of neuromuscular patients and will work in conjunction with the Neuromuscular Medicine fellow. We have designed the fellowship to provide all the skills necessary to ensure career success in either an academic or private practice setting.

This ACGME-approved fellowship prepares fellows to obtain ABPN board certification in Neurophysiology and ABEM board certification in EMG.

Conferences

Fellows will also attend and present at 2 conferences per year:

1. Carrell-Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium in Dallas, Texas
2. University of California, Irvine Neuromuscular Colloquium in Newport Beach, California

Research

Fellows are expected to complete a clinical or QI project by the time they complete their training (1 year). These projects typically are presented during the above mentioned conference venues. Fellows are encouraged to pursue additional neuromuscular research based on their interests with the aim of publication or presentation. There are also opportunities to participate in clinical trials. An additional year of training in ALS translational research is available at UCSD and further information is available at ALS Fellowship.

Didactics

Rigorous and dynamic didactics occur one half day per week. During these sessions, attendings from various subspecialties and the fellows will participate in presenting lectures to the group.

Weekly didactic session topics include:

1. EMG/NCS and/or muscle ultrasound topic and analysis review
2. Neuromuscular topics
3. Interesting case conference
4. Nerve and muscle pathology reading review

Monthly conference sessions include:

1. Neuromuscular Journal Club
2. Neuropathology slide review

EMG/Clinical Neurophysiology Schedule (PDF)

Training Faculty

• Dominic Ferrey, MD - Fellowship Co-Director - Neuromuscular
• John Ravits, MD - Fellowship Co-Director - ALS/Neuromuscular 
• Carolyn Vergara - Fellowship Program Coordinator
• Chamindra Laverty, MD - Clinical Professor of Neurosciences
• Charles Jablecki, MD - Neuromuscular/Neurophysiology
• Betul Gundogdu, MD - Neuromuscular
• Jeffrey Gertsch, MD - Neurophysiology/Intraoperative Monitoring
• Leena Kansal, MD - EEG
• Denise Malicki, MD PhD - Neuropathology
• Yadollah Harati, MD - Neuromuscular
• Wali Qayoumi, MD - Neuromuscular 
• Alison Headley, MD - EEG

Requirements

Applicants must have:

1. Completed a U.S. Residency in Neurology or Pediatric Neurology
2. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or J-1 Visa Status

Applicants who are accepted to the fellowship are also required to obtain a California Medical License prior to start of fellowship.

How to Apply

Our fellowship position for the 2025-2026 training program has been filled. 

Applications (generic application) are being accepted for the 2026-2027 training program beginning August 2024. Early application is encouraged. You will need the following to submit: 

1. Personal statement
2. Current CV
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
4. USMLE/COMLEX Board Scores (1, 2 and 3) 
5. Additional documents may be required

Letters of Recommendation should be addressed to Dominic Ferrey, M.D., Fellowship Director. 

Email generic application and required documents to: 

Carolyn Vergara, Fellowship Coordinator
Email: cvergara@health.ucsd.edu