University of Pennsylvania Brain Injury Recovery Center (BIRC) is an 18-bed acute rehab unit focused on brain injury at our state of the art facility as well as a robust outpatient setting at Penn Medicine Rehabilitation. The fellow will master the medical management of all levels of brain injury from high functioning patients to those with disorders of consciousness. Mentorship will be actively provided by Dr. Kelly Heath, Associate Professor in PM&R, and Dr. Jeremy Charles, Assistant Professor in PM&R. The Fellow will learn the pharmacologic management of cognitive deficits due to brain injury, management of systemic complications of brain injury, as well as secondary complications, including comprehensive spasticity management with botulinum toxin, nerve blocks, and management of intrathecal baclofen pumps in collaboration with Anesthesia.
The Fellow will manage low level brain injury patients on the LTACH in a consult-liaison capacity and actively participate in the longitudinal postacute continuum outpatient care including community reentry. Additionally, the Fellow will spend time at the VA Hospital Poly-Trauma Clinic, including combat related blast injuries and the neurologic sequelae. Depending on the Fellow's interest, additional experiences are readily available in Pediatric Brain Injury, Attending rounds on the neurosurgery and trauma services, residential brain injury programs, functional neuroimaging, assistive technologies, as well as many other facets of brain injury rehabilitation. The department has optimal learning experiences and resources in patient oriented and health services research.
The Fellow will learn the requisite leadership principles to become a capable Brain Injury team leader, and by year's end, the Fellow should be competent in directing an inpatient brain injury unit in a quaternary medical center. ACGME approved.
Duration: One year
Salary: Commensurate with PGY 5 level
How to Apply:
Complete the ERAS – Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship Application.
For more information:
Contact Kelly Heath, MD
Program Director Brain Injury Medicine
Cell Phone: (484) 364-9314
Fax: (215) 893-2685
Kelly.Heath@uphs.upenn.edu