McGill: Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute

Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinical and Clinical Research

Fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammatory Disorders

Type of Fellowship:

Clinical Fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammatory Disorders (1 year)

Supervisor: Dr. Alexander Saveriano

Fellowship Information

Number of fellowship positions requested: 2 per year.

Name of hospitals involved in training: Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute and associated outpatient clinic facilities (Montreal Neuro Clinic at Glen site, etc.).

Description of Fellowship:The aim of the fellowship is to provide training in the diagnosis, treatment, and symptomatic management of patients with multiple sclerosis, and related neuro-inflammatory conditions. This will be coupled with participation in clinical trials of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Fellows enrolled in the MS Clinical Fellowship will spend 75% to 80% of their time on clinical and related activities (rounds, seminars, journal clubs). However, Fellows will also be encouraged to closely interact with, and form collaborations, with graduate students or post-doctoral research fellows in the Neuroimmunology Unit or McConnell Brain Imaging Centre to facilitate translational research opportunities and foster bench to bedside research initiatives.

Research activity and publications related to fellowship: See supervisor’s CV (appended)

Mission statement for fellowship:To provide clinical expertise in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and related disorders, for individuals aiming to pursue an academic career in this field.

Duration of fellowship: 1 year.

Source of funding for fellowship: The applicant can apply for competitive fellowship funds from Canadian funding agencies, including the MS Society and CIHR, however, candidates from outside of Canada may have funds from their home countries. There are also competitive fellowships funded through the Canadian Network of the MS Clinics for 1 to 2 years, supported by unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry. Quebec residents can apply for R6 funding through the RAMQ. Candidates must secure funding. Please see opportunities for funding through the MNI here: https://apps.mni.mcgill.ca/clinicalawards/awards-unlocked.php. Additional funding opportunities may be available through https://www.cnsfederation.org.

Names of the Teaching Faculty:

  • Dr. Jack Antel
  • Dr. Paul Giacomini
  • Dr. Myriam Levesque-Roy
  • Dr. Alexander Saveriano

Faculty Roles: The fellow will interact with all teaching faculty and be exposed to different areas of expertise, all while participating in the clinical care of MS patients, as well in clinical research and clinical trials.

Summary of clinical practice: The MS program based at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute (as well as the associated clinics) follows over 4000 patients in a multidisciplinary academic setting. Patients with all subtypes of multiple sclerosis, and in all phases of the illness, are followed at the clinics and thus the fellow will get excellent exposure to all aspects of clinical care, from diagnosis to the most advanced stages of illness.

Major Strengths: Excellent clinical training through interaction with numerous clinicians with expertise in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as strong integration between clinical, clinical-research and more basic investigative aspects of MS.

Academic Facilities: The Montreal Neurological Hospital MS Clinic, The Montreal Neuro Clinic at Glen site, The Neurological Day Hospital, The Clinical Research Unit (CRU), The McConnell Brain Imaging Centre and the basic research labs in the Neuroimmunology Unit.

Library access, materials relevant to fellowship training: Available through the Montreal Neurological Institute Library, and electronic resources through McGill University and through the EndMS Network.

Multimedia learning materials available: Available online through the EndMS Network

Fellow Duties and Responsibilities: The Fellow will be involved in teaching residents, either through informal bedside teaching in the MS Clinic setting, or possibly through more formal lectures as part of the academic half day program, should the resident group so request. The fellow can opt for rotations in the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, as well as in other related clinics, but most of the clinical component will be through the MS Clinic at the Montreal Neurological Hospital, and associated outpatient clinic facilities (Montreal Neuro Clinic at Glen site). The program will be tailored to individual requirements. In the clinics, the Fellows will have responsibility for diagnosis, treatment and symptomatic management of patients under their care, with the supervision of their fellowship mentor if needed, who will be available for review, advice, and case discussion.

There are ongoing organized seminars related to multiple sclerosis that include a Fellowrun monthly seminar, the MS Montreal program, the STIHR supported Neuroinflammation Training Grant and the nationwide program of the EndMS Network. Fellows are also encouraged to attend and take part in more general neurology seminars and rounds offered through the McGill Neurology Department, including Neurology Grand Rounds, and Thursday morning Clinical Case Rounds. Fellows will be offered the opportunity to attend national and international meetings. Fellows are expected to present their research at these meetings, and publish results of their clinical research projects.

Curriculum: Clinical Fellows will be expected to spend the majority of their time on clinic related activities, but the volume of patients will be managed to still leave ample time for academic endeavours. Fellows will have assigned reading from different mentors, reflecting the expertise of the various mentors, and will also follow a curriculum from the EndMS Network. Formal conference schedules include the previously mentioned Fellows organized conference, the Neuroinflammation Training Program conferences, the MS Montreal Program, as well as the EndMS Research and Training Network seminars.

Evaluation: Clinical Fellows will be evaluated by the fellowship director, after receiving input from the other attending staff with whom the Fellow has rotated. All Fellows will be expected to make formal presentations of their projects at scheduled conferences of the Multiple Sclerosis group and to the Neuroinflammation Training Program.

There are currently no formal recognition programs for multiple sclerosis fellowship training and the current consensus of the American Academy of Neurology is that no such sub-specialty recognition should be forthcoming. Recognition of the Clinical Fellowship will be reflected by added expertise and experience in managing complex cases of multiple sclerosis and related diseases, as well as additional experience in clinical trial participation.