Mass General Brigham Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program
Email: msfellowship@bwh.harvard.edu
Overview
The Mass General Brigham Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology (MGB-MSNI) Fellowship Program (formerly known as the Partners MS Fellowship Program) is one of the most sought-after training programs in its field and has trained over 30 fellows since 2011 to meet the growing needs of MS and neuroimmunology patients. The program has had an excellent track record of doing so, with 100% of recent graduates remaining as MS specialists. More than 80% hold academic positions in MS Centers and are currently training fellows themselves. The MSNI Program is comprised of clinical and clinical research tracks offered through the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), academically affiliated with Harvard Medical School (HMS). Fellows participate in ongoing clinical research studies, both within the clinic and in conjunction with our affiliated research center, the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (ARCND). Fellows are also academically credentialed through Harvard Medical School (HMS). Training is comprised of directly supervised MS patient care, exposure to multidisciplinary care, and inpatient management. To complement the in-clinic training, fellows participate in a comprehensive educational curriculum led by our expert faculty consisting of MS clinical case conferences, MRI conferences, MS seminars and clinical and research seminars focused on neuroimmunology more broadly. There are elective opportunities in non-MS neuroimmunological diseases. The infrastructure of the Program is consistent for both the clinical and clinical research tracks. Fellows completing the MSNI Fellowship Program will develop a strong knowledge base in MS pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management as well as subspecialty topics including women’s health and progressive MS. In addition, the Fellow will develop expertise in the management of NMOSD, MOGAD, and autoimmune encephalitis. Accordingly, they will understand differential diagnostic considerations and how to apply them to a particular clinical situation. The overall goal is to achieve excellence and independence in the comprehensive care of people with MS and related disorders.
Requirements
Fellows should have completed an accredited neurology residency training program and demonstrate an interest in adult multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological diseases as well as a career in academic neurology.
Curriculum
The clinical track training plan is comprised of direct supervised MSNI patient care (65%), exposure to multidisciplinary care (20%), i.e. neuropsychological, urological, rehabilitation, didactic activities (15%), and other participation in clinical trials and continuing education courses. This fellowship training period is designed for 1-2 years. Clinical fellows also participate in an academic project.
The training plan in the clinical research track is developed between the track PI and fellow(s), specializing in research within the designated track. Similar to the clinical track, these fellows will participate in direct supervised MSNI patient care, but there is a larger focus on research. This fellowship training period is designed for 2-3 years.
How to Apply
Applications for clinical training will be facilitated through SF Match in the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Specialty. Please visit SF Match for additional information and to register.
Clinical Research complete applications consist of an application form, a personal statement, current CV, and at least two letters of recommendation (provided directly from the referee).
- Rotate through the outpatient clinics at the Brigham MS Center at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the MGH MS and NMO Clinic for 1-2 years in preparation for a career as a MS specialist.
- Training is comprised of direct supervised MS patient care, exposure to multidisciplinary care, didactic activities and exposure and participation in clinical trials.
- The clinical fellowship involves 5 supervised clinics each week and exposure to ongoing research activities at the Brigham MS Center.
- Applications for this track are managed through a match, please visit https://sfmatch.org/ for more information.
This track involves supervised clinics in MS, NMO, and Neuroimmunology (across multiple institutions) and a focused research trajectory.
- CLIMB: Conduct research in biomarker clinical correlates and predictors of MS disease course (www.climbstudy.org). PI: Tanuja Chitnis, MD (BWH)
- Neuroimmunology: NMO mouse models of toleration, MOG T-cell activation studies, TM-familial genetics, and clinical trials – acute and preventative. PI: Michael Levy, MD (MGH)
- MS Neuroimaging and Clinical Trials: Training in therapeutic clinical trial design and implementation and/or applying novel imaging techniques such as tissue microstructure (myelin, axonal markers on our high-gradient Connectome MRI), connectivity imaging (diffusion, resting state) to MS. PI: Eric Klawiter, MD (MGH)
Applications forms can be found here. A complete application consists of an application form, a personal statement, current CV, and at least two letters of recommendation (provided directly from the referee). Should you not receive a confirmation that your application is complete, please be sure to reach out prior to the deadline. We recommend adding msfellowship@bwh.harvard.edu to your contacts to avoid any messages going to spam. Please do not submit duplicate applications via SF Match, as only one application will be considered. If you accidentally submit in both places, please contact us immediately.
Inquiries and application materials may be sent to msfellowship@bwh.harvard.edu.
Fellowship and Faculty Contacts
Dr. Eric Klawiter, MD
Clinical Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
eklawiter@mgh.harvard.edu
Program Director, Track PI
Dr. Sarah Conway, MD
Clinical Investigator, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Instructor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
seconway@bwh.harvard.edu
Associate Program Director
Dr. Tanuja Chitnis
Chief, Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Mass General Brigham
tchitnis@bwh.harvard.edu
Track PI
Dr. Michael Levy, MD, PhD
Clinical Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Mlevy11@mgh.harvard.edu
Track PI