Pediatric Headache Medicine Fellowship

The mission of our Pediatric Headache Medicine Fellowship training program is to train pediatric neurologists to become experts in the growing field of headache medicine in children and adolescents. This one-year clinical/research fellowship certified by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) provides in-depth inpatient and outpatient-based clinical training in pediatric and adult headache disorders including migraine headaches, abdominal migraines, cyclic vomiting syndrome, TACs, posttraumatic headaches, orofacial pain and other secondary headaches. Fellows will be exposed to the unique features of treating pediatric headaches including psychosocial aspects such as school functioning and family dynamics. Fellows will learn to take headache-specific histories and develop advanced examination techniques. Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments will be emphasized including use of nutraceuticals, behavioral therapy, physical and vestibular therapy, biofeedback, acupuncture and more. Fellows will also be trained in procedures including botulinum toxin injection, peripheral nerve blocks and sphenopalatine ganglion blocks.

Adult headache medicine rotations will be completed at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Mayo Clinic Arizona. A variety of elective rotations are offered including pediatric and adult brain injury/concussion, sleep medicine, autonomic disorders, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-otology, neuroradiology, psychology, psychiatry and pain clinic. Opportunities are available to participate in clinical research projects, quality improvement projects, journal publications and pediatric headache clinical trials. Fellows will participate in didactic lectures, journal clubs and conferences during their clinical training.

We enjoy a regional and national referral base, with five UCNS certified pediatric headache specialists and other pediatric neurologists trained in headache medicine. One of the many strengths of this program is the availability of a large diverse patient population. Our location in a multi-cultural area gives fellows the opportunity to work with various ethnic groups including Native American and Hispanic populations and allows for exposure to various pathology in these patient populations.