Pediatric Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship

The mission of our Pediatric Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship Training Program is to provide comprehensive post-residency training experience for pediatric neuromuscular medicine specialists. Our fellows will master the concepts and knowledge necessary to excel in taking care of neuromuscular patients, advance our understanding of pediatric neuromuscular disorders through research, and acquire the skills to educate the next generation of specialists. We offer a diverse clinical experience and exposure to neuromuscular conditions across the age spectrum and in different practice settings, which can be individualized based on career goals. We have a unique collaboration with the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital where our fellows can train with our adult neuromuscular colleagues. Fellows will learn to take neuromuscular disorder-specific histories and develop advanced examination techniques. They will acquire technical skills in performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS/EMG) and have exposure to single fiber EMG, neuromuscular ultrasound, intraoperative monitoring, and muscle/nerve biopsy.

Integrated care delivery is an important part of pediatric neuromuscular medicine practice. Our fellows will receive trans-disciplinary training, seeing patients in our multidisciplinary clinics, including but not limited to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Arthrogryposis, Brachial Plexus and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. We have close multi-disciplinary relationships with faculty within adult neuromuscular medicine, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric cardiology, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric rehabilitation, and pediatric palliative care. We have a dedicated neuromuscular nurse care coordinator, nutritionist, social worker, and genetic counselor. Our clinic is certified by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Fellows will have the opportunity to be involved with local and national organizations and can participate in community outreach and broader systems-based practice.

Our curriculum is structured to cover core subspecialty knowledge, including the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pediatric and adult neuromuscular disorders. The fellow will have a longitudinal experience with our adult neuromuscular colleagues. A variety of elective rotations are offered, including neuromuscular rehabilitation, intraoperative monitoring, pathology, genetics, and research. Didactics include lectures on core neuromuscular topics, journal club, and case discussions. A quality improvement project is required for the ACGME fellowship, but opportunities are available to participate in clinical research and clinical trials. An educational allowance is provided to attend conferences and courses.

Phoenix Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Arizona. One of the strengths of this program is our large, diverse, patient population. We have a large referral base and take care of unique populations, including Native American and Hispanic populations.

We invite you to contact us and look forward to hearing from you!