Monument Valley in Arizona

Neuro-Otology and Balance Disorders Fellowship

About Our Fellowship

A 1-year fellowship in otoneurology and balance disorders is available at Barrow Neurological Institute for neurologists that have completed neurology residency training and are interested in a clinical or academic career in this field.

The fellowship training experience will focus on the clinical diagnosis, vestibular assessment, and treatment of patients with a broad variety of balance disorders that cause:

  • vertigo
  • dizziness
  • nystagmus
  • imbalance
  • ataxia

Fellows see patients during neuro-otology clinic and also during hydrocephalus screening clinic and ataxia clinic. The experience can be tailored to include training in neurodegenerative movement disorders as well as other disorders of balance.

There are periodic meetings of the Phoenix Neurotology Society and monthly balance board meetings attended by those in the community with an interest in vestibular and balance disorders including vestibular physical therapists, audiologists, and otolaryngologists.

Conferences include:

  • Neuroscience and neurosurgical grand rounds
  • Skull base conferences
  • Neuroscience research conferences
  • Weekly patient care conferences

In addition, the fellow is encouraged to engage in a clinical research project in an area of interest with the goal of presenting at a national meeting.

Contact Us

Candidates interested in the Neuro-Otology and Balance Disorders Fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute can email: BNIneurology@BarrowNeuro.org for more information.

Eligibility

  • A current valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States or Canada or its territories
  • Graduate status from a ACGME-accredited residency program
  • Board certified, or eligible for certification, in a primary ABMS or RCPSC specialty (as specified by the Subspecialty)
  • Completion of USMLE steps I, II, and III.

Foreign medical graduates with equivalent qualifications are also eligible to apply provided the following criteria are met:

  • Graduate status from an ACGME accredited residency program
  • Completion of all three of the USMLE examinations
  • Completion of a CSA exam
  • ECFMG certificate (if applicable) – Foreign applicants must have ECFMG certification. We only accept J1 Visa; we do not sponsor H1 visa.

How to Apply

The following materials are required of all applicants to the Barrow Neuro-Otology and Balance Disorders Fellowship Program:

  • Barrow application (Application will be forwarded to you, email BNIneurology@barrowneuro.org)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement
  • Medical school diploma
  • Medical school transcript
  • Three letters of recommendation, may include PD letter (waived rights to view/must be sent by letter writer or program coordinator)
  • Letter of good standing from current or past residency program director
  • Prelim certificate of completion (if applicable)
  • ECFMG certificate (if applicable)

We are accepting applications now.

Program Director

Terry D. Fife, MD, FAAN, FANS
Professor, Neurology
Director, Vestibular Neurology and Balance Disorders Program
Designated Institutional Officer, Barrow Academic Affairs
BNIneurology@BarrowNeuro.org


Program Coordinator

Lisa Clark-Imperial
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Barrow Neurological Institute
350 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
BNINeurology@BarrowNeuro.org

Resources for Fellows

  • Videonystagmography (VNG)
  • Video head impulse testing (vHIT)
  • Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP)
  • Tilt table testing
  • Audiometry
  • Rotational chair testing
  • Computerized dynamic posturography
  • Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
  • Protokinetic Zeno Walkway (electronic gait measurements)

Cyberknife and Gamma Knife and comprehensive neuroradiology and radiation therapy teams are available as part of the care team for our patients.  There are seven MRI units including two 3-Tesla MRI units and an MRI unit dedicated to the Emergency Department.

We have expertise in all areas of neurosurgery and as well as in surgical neurotology. In addition, we have representation in all areas of clinical neuroscience including neuropathology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, and most of the subspecialities of neurology.

Subscriptions to both Neurology and Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology, along with membership dues to AAN, are included with the fellowship. AAN webinars about practice management, billing, coding, and reimbursement are offered throughout the year. The fellow will also have access to the AAN career center and the residents and fellows page on the AAN website.

Specific skills the fellow will learn include:

  • Evaluation of patients with dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance
  • Management of various vestibular disorders and interaction with surgical otologists
  • Recognition and management of gait and balance disorders including, but not limited to, cerebellar degeneration, hydrocephalus, and neurodegenerative disorders

Understanding the basic anatomy and function of the vestibular system, understanding of vestibular function testing techniques and how to use them.

ECFMG certificate (if applicable) – Foreign appli­cants must have ECFMG certification. We only accept J1 Visa; we do not sponsor H1 visa.

Virtual Campus Tour