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Shepherd Center's Brain Injury Fellowship Training Program

This 12-month brain injury fellowship, based out of Shepherd and in partnership with Emory School of Medicine, provides a breadth of clinical and non-clinical learning opportunities to accommodate specific career goals while assuring a well-rounded clinical training experience.

The fellow will receive extensive inpatient training, dealing with some of the most complex brain injury cases, from mild brain injuries to traumatic brain injuries, stroke, anoxic brain injuries, and other acquired neurologic disorders. More than half of the fellowship, including all inpatient brain injury rotations, will be conducted at Shepherd Center, with a weekly continuity clinic scheduled across most rotations.

Additionally, the fellow will have the opportunity to do hospital consults and outpatient rotations at partnering institutions, including Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and Grady Memorial Hospital.

Rotation Schedule

A typical rotation schedule includes:

  • Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation: 3.5 months
  • Outpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation: 4.5 months
  • Research: 1 month
  • Hospital Consults: 2 months
  • Electives: 1 month
    • Electives are designed by the fellow based on his or her interests and approved by the fellowship director.
    • Electives must be completed at an approved institution and a PLA must be in place.
    • Some international electives may be accommodated.

Brain Injury Medicine Fellow Spotlight: Dr. Nathan Barnett

Our 2023-2024 fellow, Dr. Nathan Barnett, was able to complete his elective at Institut Guttman in Barcelona, Spain. There, Nathan had the opportunity to explore unique transcontinental differences in the management of complex neurorehabilitation care to supplement his understanding of brain injury medicine.

Nathan observed inpatient and outpatient care, including patients suffering from disorders of consciousness, video fluoroscopic swallow studies, pediatric brain injury, transcranial direct stimulation coupled with virtual reality for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of aphasia.

Nathan was educated on the levels of care and opportunities for patients made possible through Spain's universal healthcare system, as well as efforts made by the city of Barcelona to make the city accessible for individuals with disability. Nathan learned alongside residents and fellows from various universities all over Europe who also provided unique insight into the practice of rehabilitation medicine abroad.

View a Sample Fellowship Block

Shepherd Specific Programs

Shepherd Center offers comprehensive, community-based outpatient programs for individuals with brain injuries. Learn more about the SHARE Military Initiative and Shepherd Pathways programs. 

Fellowship Training Advice & Resources

For more information about the many subspecialties available within physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), such as brain injury medicine, please download the Roadmap to a Fellowship guide from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's Physiatrist in Training Council.

Questions?

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