Electives General Information

NEUROLOGY

PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL

NU01P Consultative Elective in Neurology
Course Directors: Dr. Blair Ford, (212) 305-5548, ford@movdis.cis.columbia.edu
Coordinator: Ms. Christy Cesta, (212) 305-1338, ccesta@neuro.columbia.edu
Given: All year
Maximum: 2 students per month
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 8:00 AM
Site/Location: CUMC, Neurological Institute 1, Room 117
Description: Consultative elective in neurology at Columbia University Medical Center.
Objectives: To gain experience in consultative neurology, and learn the principles of clinical neurological problem-solving through the activities of the consultation service in the Department of Neurology.  The students will gain valuable experience and develop clinical skills in the assessment and management of acute neurological problems in hospitalized patients, and in the emergency room setting.  Among the most frequent reasons for urgent neurological consultation are abrupt disturbances in mentation, coma, encephalopathy, stroke, trauma, headache, epilepsy, toxic-metabolic states, infectious diseases of the nervous system, neurological complications of systemic disease, perioperative problems, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Learning Experience: The learning experience occurs on a case by case basis.  Students function as an essential part of the consultation team, performing consultations and follow-up evaluation on their patients.  There is abundant opportunity for students to evaluate patients, hone their neurological examination skills, and formulate a plan of diagnosis and treatment, all under close supervision of the resident and attending staff.  Students are encouraged to consult the relevant literature on each case. There is no overnight call requirement for this elective.
Feedback: Obtained from the consultation service attending and senior neurology resident.
Evaluation: There is no formal evaluation or examination, but students are judged on the quality of their clinical work throughout the rotation, taking into account knowledge and problem solving skills, clinical skills, oral presentations, written consultations and follow-up notes, patient care skills, teamwork, attitude and approach to learning. A summative report is prepared by the Attending Neurologist and sent to the student’s medical school at the end of the elective.
Faculty: Department of Neurology staff neurologists and residents.
Pre-Requisites Third-year clerkship in neurology, or equivalent. International applicants from approved medical schools are welcome, providing there is a reciprocal arrangement with Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Please contact the senior resident on the Consultation Service in advance of the elective.

NU03P Pediatric Neurology
Course Directors: Dr. Claudia Chiriboga, (212) 305-6038, cac3@columbia.edu
Coordinator: Ms. Shirley Susarchick, (212) 305-6038, ses196@columbia.edu
Given: All year
Maximum: 4 students per month
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 8:00 AM
Site/Location: Columbia University Medical Center, Children's Hospital of New York
Learning Center, 6 Tower
Description: Objectives: To develop the ability to take a developmental and neurological history, perform a pediatric neurological exam, formulate a differential diagnosis and plan an appropriate evaluation. The student should recognize the role of family, siblings, genetic, developmental and social factors in the child’s illness and recovery.  The links between developmental neurobiology, molecular neurogenetics and clinical conditions will be emphasized. Students should be able to recognize common pathology such as trauma, tumors, infections and para-infectious sequelae, vascular disease, genetic disorders (including inborn errors of metabolism), metabolic abnormalities, paroxysmal disorders and birth defects at the end of the rotation.
Learning Experience is directed by the pediatric neurology resident, attending of record, and all attendings admitting neurology patients.  All consenting patients on the service participate in the learning process, which takes place in Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, The Neurological Institute, Harkness Pavilion and Vanderbilt Clinic. Patients seen in consultation also participate.  Didactic presentations by staff supplement uncovered areas. Formal teaching opportunities include Pediatric Neurology Grand Rounds on Friday at noon, Pediatric Neuroradiology on Wednesday at 2 pm, Chief of Service Rounds on Thursday at 8 am and small group teaching sessions on Monday and Wednesday at noon.
Rotation Schedule: Students are expected to participate in daily rounds at 8 am on 6 Tower, and to be involved in the primary care of patients allocated to them by the senior resident on service (7:30 am to 6 pm M-F). Attendance at weekends or overnight is optional at the student’s discretion.
International students: Accepted.
Feedback: Provided by all supervisors half way through the rotation using positive reviews of student's activities.
Evaluation: By all staff on the service jointly reviewing the student's performance at the end of the rotation.
Faculty: Drs. C. Akman, J. Cappell, C. Chiriboga, D. De Vivo, S. Fisch, A. Gold, G. Heyer, A. Mandel,  M. Patterson, J. Selman, R. Sidhu and Pediatric Neurology Fellows.

*NU05P Neurology Advanced Clerkship
Course Director: Dr. Blair Ford, (212) 305-5548, ford@movdis.cis.columbia.edu
Course Coordinator: Ms. Christy Cesta, (212) 305-1338, ccesta@neuro.columbia.edu
Given: All year
Maximum: 2 students per month
Pre-requisite: A four or five week ward-based subinternship in Adult Neurology.
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 7:30 AM
Site/Location: CUMC, Milstein Hospital, 8th Floor,
Hudson South Conference Room
Description: Objectives: The advanced clerkship, or subinternship, provides an intense, hospital ward-based experience in clinical neurology for students who may wish to pursue a career in neurology.
Learning Experience: During this elective, the student will function as a resident house officer on the Merritt and Putnam Neurology Services at Columbia University Medical Center.  The elective provides an excellent opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills, knowledge and problem solving ability in neurology, under close supervision of the Department of Neurology attending and resident staff.  The student will play a primary role in the assessment and management of neurological patients. The range of neurological problems at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center is wide, and includes vascular disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, coma, trauma, movement disorders, epilepsy, infectious diseases of the nervous system, neurological complications of systemic disease, and neuropsychiatric disorders.  There is an overnight call requirement for this elective, ranging from 1-in-4 to 1-in-7 nights, depending on the service. Subinternship students also participate in the outpatient general neurology clinics. There is an abundant opportunity for students to attend in the many teaching rounds, and subspecialty conferences, and residency conferences (Morning Report, Chief of Service Rounds, Journal Club, Morbidity and Mortality Rounds) of the Department.
Feedback: Obtained from the ward attending neurologist and senior neurology resident.
Evaluation: There is no formal evaluation or examination, but students are judged on the quality of their clinical work throughout the rotation, taking into account knowledge and problem solving skills, clinical skills, oral presentations written consultations follow-up notes, patient care skills, procedures, oral presentations, written consultations, follow-up notes, ability to organize care, patient interaction skills, teamwork, attitude and approach to learning. A summative evaluation is submitted by the Attending Neurologist to the student’s medical school within 5 weeks of the rotation.
Faculty: Department of Neurology staff neurologists and residents.
Pre-Requisites Third-year clerkship in neurology, or equivalent. International applicants from approved medical schools are welcome, providing there is a reciprocal arrangement with Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Please contact the senior resident on the Neurology Ward Service in advance of the elective.

NU06P Preceptorship in Ambulatory Neurology
Course Director: Dr. Peter Y. Kim, (212) 305-6876, pyk1@columbia.edu
Dr. Marcelo R. Olarte, (212) 305-1832
Given: July to November, other months by permission only
Maximum: 2 students per month
Start Date/Time: First day of the month, 9:00 AM
Site/Location: Columbia University Medical Center, Neurological Institute 246
Description:

Objective: This elective preceptorship is offered with emphasis on outpatient diagnosis, investigation and treatment. The ambulatory setting is emphasized in both clinic and private offices. 
Learning Experience: Neurology, as most other specialty, is primarily an outpatient based field.  This rotation provides students exposure to neurology through the neurologists in the Division of clinical Neurology.  It is hoped that by the end of the rotation, the student will come away with an accurate perception of the practice of neurology – complimentary to the 3rd year in-hospital exposure.  The student will be guided mainly on a one-to-one basis by a preceptor, but will be exposed to a number of neurologists in the outpatient ambulatory setting. 
Feedback: Continuous throughout the elective. 
Evaluation:
Will be based on a consensus of all faculty members involved in the student's education in this course. 
Faculty:
Neurology staff.


*NU07P Preceptorship in Critical Care Neurology
Course Director: Dr. Stephan Mayer, (212) 305-7236, sam14@columbia.edu
Coordinator: Ms. Amy Tammam, (212) 305-0857, atammam@neuro.columbia.edu 
Given: All year
Maximum: 2 students per month
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 7:30 AM
Site/Location: Columbia University Medical Center, Milstein Hospital Building
4 Hudson South, Neuro ICU
Description:

Acute care in neurology has grown in importance with the development of new treatments for stroke, trauma, infections and neuromuscular diseases. 
Objective:
The student will become an integral part of a team of resident and attending neurologists who specialize in treatment of these patients in the Neuro ICU.  Students will also participate in the management of critically ill neurosurgical patients. 
Learning Experience:
Advanced monitoring and treatment techniques including Transcranial Doppler, SPECT, digital EEG, thrombolysis, hypothermia, and hypertensive-hypervolemic therapy will be emphasized.  Opportunity exists to learn technical skills related to critical care: central venous catheter placement, lumbar punctures, arterial catheter placement, intracranial pressure monitoring and ventilator management. In addition, students may spend time observing neurosurgical and interventional neuroradiologic procedures. 
Feedback:
Continuous throughout the elective. 
Evaluation:
Will be based on a consensus of all faculty members involved in the student's education in this course.



RESEARCH

NU90P Clinical Research in Neurology
Columbia P&S students MUST have approval from the individual faculty member they are interested in working with prior to signing up for this elective.
Course Director: Dr. Timothy A. Pedley, (212) 305-1338, tap2@columbia.edu
Course Coordinator: Ms. Christy Cesta, (212) 305-1338, ccesta@neuro.columbia.edu
Given: All year. Start date flexible.
Maximum: None
Start Date/Time: Arranged individually (contact course director)
Site/Location: Arranged individually (contact course director)
Description: For three or more months during the year, students may elect to participate in a research project in a laboratory or clinical area investigating neurological problems.
Learning Experience: Listed below are the areas of interest and faculty available.
Feedback: Continuous throughout the elective.
Evaluation: Will be based on a consensus of all faculty members involved in the student's education in this course.
 
Specialty Faculty Member(s)
Aging & Dementia Dr. Richard Mayeux, 305-2391, rpm2@columbia.edu
  Dr. Karen Marder, 305-9194, ksm1@columbia.edu
  Dr. Karen Bell, 305-9194, bellkar@sergievsky.cpmc.columbia.edu
Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Dr. Robert Burke, 305-7374, rb43@columbia.edu
  Dr. Serge Przedborski, 305-1540, sp30@columbia.edu
Critical Care Dr. Stephan Mayer, 305-7236, sam14@columbia.edu
Dr. Neeraj Badjatia, 342-3251, nbadjatia@neuro.columbia.edu
Electromyography Dr. Clifton L. Gooch, 305-1330, clg33@columbia.edu
  Dr. Louis Weimer, 305-1516, lhw1@columbia.edu
Epilepsy Dr. Carl Bazil, 305-1742, cwb11@columbia.edu
  Dr. Ronald G. Emerson, 305-2121, rge2@columbia.edu
Dr. Frank Gilliam, 305-1742, fg2124@columbia.edu
  Dr. Alison Pack, 305-2124, ap390@columbia.edu
  Dr. Steven Karceski, 305-1742, sck33@columbia.edu
Dr. Lawrence J. Hirsch, 305-6923, ljh3@columbia.edu
Metabolic Muscle Disease & Molecular Genetics Dr. Salvatore Di Mauro, 305-1662, sd12@columbia.edu
  Dr. Eric Schon, 305-1665, eas3@columbia.edu
  Dr. Michio Hirano, 305-1048, mh29@columbia.edu
Motor Control Dr. John Krakauer, 305-6876, jwk18@columbia.edu
Dr. Pietro Mazzoni, pm125@columbia.edu
Motor Neuron Biology Dr. Christopher Henderson, 342-4086, ch2331@columbia.edu
Dr. Umrao Monani, 342-5132, um2105@columbia.edu
Dr. Serge Przedborski, 305-1540, sp30@columbia.edu
Multiple Sclerosis Dr. Mark Tullman, 342-8647, mt2348@columbia.edu
Neural Stem Cells Dr. Asa Abeliovich, 305-1150, aa900@columbia.edu
  Dr. Fiona Doetsch, 342-5633, fkd2101@columbia.edu
  Dr. Hynek Wichterle, 342-3929, hw350@columbia.edu
Neuroepidemiology Dr. Willard Hauser, 305-2447, wah1@columbia.edu
  Dr. Ruth Ottman, 305-9188, ro6@columbia.edu
  Dr. Dale Hesdorffer, 305-2392, dch5@columbia.edu
  Dr. Melodie Winawer, 305-9188, mw211@columbia.edu 
Neuromuscular Dr. Hiroshi Mitsumoto, 305-2940, hm264@columbia.edu
  Dr. Petra Kaufmann, 305-5548, pk88@columbia.edu
Dr. Paul Gordon, 305-1319, phg8@columbia.edu
Dr. Clifton Gooch, 305-1330, clg33@columbia.edu 
Dr. Louis Weiner, 305-1516, lhw1@columbia.edu
Neuro-oncology Dr. Steven S. Rosenfeld, 305-1718, sr2327@columbia.edu
Dr. Rose Lai, 305-1718, rl207@columbia.edu
Neuro-ophthalmology Dr. Myles Behrens, 305-5415
  Dr. Jeffrey Odel, 305-5415, jgo1@columbia.edu
Neurophysiology - EEG, Evoked Potentials Dr. Ronald Emerson, 305-2121, rge2@columbia.edu
Pediatric Neurology Dr. Darryl De Vivo, 305-5244, dcd1@columbia.edu
Parkinson's Disease, Dystonia, Myoclonus Dr. Stanley Fahn, 305-5295, fahn@movdis.cis.columbia.edu
Dr. Steven Frucht, 305-0429, frucht@movdis.cis.columbia.edu
Dr. Blair Ford, 305-5548, ford@movdis.cis.columbia.edu
Parkinson's Disease - Neurobiology Dr. Robert Burke, 305-7374, rb43@columbia.edu
Dr. William Dauer, 305-3767, wtd3@columbia.edu
Dr. Serge Przedborski, 305-1540, sp30@columbia.edu
Pediatric Neurology Dr. Darryl De Vivo, 305-5244, dcd1@columbia.edu
Stroke Dr. Mitchell Elkind, 305-1710, mse13@columbia.edu
  Dr. Ronald Lazar, 305-4749, ral22@columbia.edu
  Dr. Randolph Marshall, 305-8389, rsm2@columbia.edu
  Dr. Jay Mohr, 305-8033, jpm10@columbia.edu
  Dr. Ralph Sacco, 305-1710, rls1@columbia.edu


HARLEM HOSPITAL

NU40H Neurology Consult
Course Director: Dr. John C.M. Brust, (212) 939-4244, jcb2@columbia.edu
Given: All year
Maximum: 5 students per month (exchange students permitted)
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 9:00 AM (M, T, Th), 8:00 AM (W, F)
Site/Location: Harlem Hospital Center, 135th St. and Lenox Ave., MLK Pavilion
Department of Neurology, Room 16101
Rotation Schedule 9am-5pm or 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
8am -5pm or 6pm on Wednesday and Friday
Description: Objective: The major emphasis of the elective is to sharpen the students' clinical skills, particularly history and examination.  Diseases seen will likely cover a broad range, with stroke, epilepsy, trauma, meningitis, coma, and metabolic problems especially common.
Learning Experience: The student will see patients on the consult service and present them to the attending, who will constructively criticize the history, physical and neurological examination, and formulation.  The student will continue to follow the patients.  In addition the student will see patients in the Neurology Clinic and on the Neurology ward.  There are regular conferences: weekly in Neuropediatrics, Neuro‑muscular Diseases, Neurosurgery, and Neuroradiology; biweekly in EEG, and monthly in Neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Pedley and Dr. Rowland visit biweekly.
Feedback to the student will be continual.
Evaluation: Will be by faculty and residents who worked with the student.
Faculty: J.C.M. Brust, M. Behrens, C. Chiriboga, A. Dousmanis, S. Karceski, D. Leung, S. Shafer, L. Weimer, O. Williams, and M. Winawer.
 

ST. LUKE'S – ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER
ST. LUKE'S SITE and ROOSEVELT SITES


NU50L Clinical Neurology
Course Director: Dr. Joel Delfiner, (212) 523-6521, jdelfiner@chpnet.org
Given: All year, full-time. Students will be placed at either the St. Luke's or Roosevelt site. If a student has a site preference, however, an attempt will be made to honor it.
Maximum: 2 students per month
Start Date/Time: First weekday of the month, 8:00 AM
Site/Location: Roosevelt Hospital, 425 West 59th Street, Brodsky Building, Suite #6A
Rotation Schedule

M-F 7:45am-6pm (no night –call, no weekend call)

Description:

Offered to students contemplating a career in the neurological sciences, this elective emphasizes the practice of neurology in a broad community setting. 
Objective:
The student should recognize primary and secondary nervous system diseases, including paroxysmal disorders, vascular compromise, headache, coma, multiple sclerosis, trauma, tumors, infections, neuromuscular disorders and toxins. Correlating environmental factors and utilizing other professional services will be taught. 
Learning Experience:
The student will evaluate ward consults, including Neuro ICU and Med/Surg ICU consults, present the patient to the service resident and attending, and follow the patient closely.  Roosevelt Hospital serves as a tertiary referral center for endovascular therapy of complex neurovascular cases. Regular attention to EEG, EMG, EP and neuroradiologic procedures is encouraged. Attendance at adult neurology clinics plus weekly neurology conference is expected. Attendance at weekly neurovascular conference and neurosurgical grand rounds is also encouraged. Rotations through the Stroke Service and the Headache Institute can be arranged if prior notice is given.
Feedback
occurs regularly in a constructive manner to broaden the student's awareness of academic and professional resources. 
Evaluation is by the involved staff at the end of the rotation.
Faculty:
Drs. J. Delfiner, J. Nasrallah, M. Kepecs, C. Brockington, C. Lay, L. Newman, Y. Azrieli, M. Cafferty, E. Chai, E. Pak, V. Moreno, S. Broner and C. Braun.



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