Program Overview
The BIDMC MS Center offers a 1–2-year fellowship open to board eligible or certified neurologists in the US, or to foreign-trained neurologists with a valid ECFMG certificate. The fellowship is designed to prepare neurologists for an academic and/or clinical career in multiple sclerosis and is tailored to the individual needs and interests of the fellow. Fellows will participate in supervised care of MS clinic patients and in multidisciplinary care of these patients under the direct supervision of Dr. Sloane, Dr. Stein, and Dr. Baber.
Fellows will learn about MS, NMO and other related demyelinating conditions and will be well versed in the diagnosis and management of these disorders upon completion of their fellowship. They will also learn about side effects of immunomodulatory medications, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Fellows will participate in clinical and/or basic research projects tailored to their interests related to MS and similar neurological conditions. Many unique resources are available at BIDMC and the Boston environs, including a world-class transcranial magnetic stimulation facility at BIDMC, internationally respected sleep, stroke and movement disorder BIDMC faculty, and 7T MRI and PET scan research at the Martinos Center. Fellows will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare IRB protocols, and how to design and conduct clinical research studies. Fellows will also be trained in manuscript preparation and grant writing. They will be mentored in submitting a grant application to National or International funding agencies.
In addition, fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with our Global Neurology Research Center at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. Limited or extended periods of training at UTH will be considered during the second or third year of fellowship. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Siddiqi, fellows will learn how to diagnose and treat a variety of tropical diseases affecting the nervous system that are rarely seen in the US. They will also learn how to practice Neurology in resources-limited settings and will actively participate to the teaching of the local house-staff.
Jacob Sloane, MD, PhD, Director, BIDMC MS Center, Assistant Professor of Neurology
Marion C. Stein, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology
Ursela Baber, MD, Instructor of Neurology, Neuroimmunology Fellowship Director
- Omar Siddiqi, MD (based in Lusaka, Zambia)
- Nurhan Torun, MD, Neuro-ophthalmology
- Marc A. Bouffard, MD, Neuro-ophthalmology
- Bardia Abbasi, MD, Neuro-ophthalmology
- Ajay Single, MD Neuro-urology
- Pamela Johnson, RN
- John Dempsey, Clinical Research Coordinator
- Darlene Harrier, PT
- Cynthia Jones, CPhT, Lead Specialty Pharmacy Liason
- Lisa Wu, PharmD
- Allison Troy, LICSW
- Lisa Cohen, LICSW
- Kyle Kozelka, LICSW
- Lynn Shaughnessy, Psy.D, ABPP
- Sara Hoffschmidt, Ph.D
- George Lin, Ph.D
- Nancy Madigan, PhD
- Doulovely Nazaire
Current Program Fellows
- Rikka Azuma, MD
Program Alumni
- 2009-2010 Sarah Speranza, MD
- 2009-2011 A. Scott Nielson, MD
- 2012-2014 Sana Syed, MD
- 2014-2016 Dhanashri Miskin, MD
- 2015-2016 Fabian Sierra Morales, MD
- 2016-2017 Ursela Siddiqi Baber, MD
- 2017-2018 Andrew Bouley, MD
- 2018-2019 Elina Melamed, MD
- 2019-2020 Ashmanie Mahatoo, MD
- 2022-2023 Kian Keyhanian, MD
Application Process
Please send your CV, a cover letter stating your interest for this fellowship, your long term career goals, and the full contact information of three references to:
Ursela Baber, MD, Neuroimmunology Fellowship Director
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center KS-212
330 Brookline Ave
Boston, MA, 02215
Email: ubaber@bidmc.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-667-3742
Fax: 617-667-1869
Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. Because applications can be highly competitive, interested individuals are encouraged to apply at least 12-16 months prior to start date.