Neuroimaging Fellowship
81
Active Clinical Trials
67
Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2024
71
Employed Neurologists Across 7 Hospitals
11
Specialized Centers & Programs
About Our Fellowship
Professional Opportunities
Welcome to the Houston Methodist Neuroimaging Fellowship.
The Neuroimaging Fellowship was accredited by the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties in 2015. Our graduating fellows passed the credentialing exam on the first try and with top performance. As neurologists skilled in Neuroimaging, they have many professional opportunities.
Neuroimaging integrates the information obtained from imaging studies with the rest of the data available from each patient. This approach is critical for the appropriate choice of imaging study.
Likewise, integration of the imaging study with the clinical outcome is critical for feedback to the fellow on image interpretation and therefore learning.
The fellowship requires 12 months dedicated to neuroimaging but there is flexibility in structuring this time. To acquire a well-rounded experience, the fellow rotates through general neurology and subspecialty services. The fellowship includes clinical and, for fellows with research interest, research components as well.
The Neuroimaging Fellowship was accredited by the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties in 2015. Our graduating fellows passed the credentialing exam on the first try and with top performance. As neurologists skilled in Neuroimaging, they have many professional opportunities.
Neuroimaging integrates the information obtained from imaging studies with the rest of the data available from each patient. This approach is critical for the appropriate choice of imaging study.
Likewise, integration of the imaging study with the clinical outcome is critical for feedback to the fellow on image interpretation and therefore learning.
The fellowship requires 12 months dedicated to neuroimaging but there is flexibility in structuring this time. To acquire a well-rounded experience, the fellow rotates through general neurology and subspecialty services. The fellowship includes clinical and, for fellows with research interest, research components as well.
Professional Opportunities
Academic Neurology
At academic departments, there is an increasing role for neurologists skilled in neuroimaging.Some examples:
- Training other neurologists to read stroke images as soon as they are acquired and reading difficult cases using teleimaging
- Reading images from functional imaging studies performed for the study of epilepsy and other disorders
- In some academic departments, neurologists are reimbursed for reading MRI and CT studies of the brain and spinal cord
- Consulting on the imaging component of research projects
- Neurologists skilled in neuroimaging typically have another clinical subspecialty interest, which they practice, while providing imaging expertise to the department with an emphasis that differs from neuroradiology and complements it
Private Practice
Faced with the paucity of neuroradiologists in the community, private practice neurologists welcome neurologists skilled in neuroimaging.
Some examples:
- In a search of the AAN Neurology Career Center, in 2019, there were 43 jobs that required imaging compared to 30 for cognitive neurologists
- Many neurology private practice groups would like to have one or two neurologists skilled in neuroimaging to read the scans of the patients in the practice. This is often not possible yet because of the small number of neurologists certified in neuroimaging.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, recognize the UCNS certification as proof of qualification to read neuroimaging studies, including CT and MRI, and to act as a director of an MRI imaging center.
Our Team
Our Fellows
Neuroimaging
Neuropathology
Vascular Neurology
Neurphysiology, Epilepsy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography
Our Fellows
Previous Fellows
Class of 2023
Abdulmunaim Eid, MD
Residency: Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX
Class of 2022
Erika Weil, MD
Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Class of 2021
Timea Hodics, MD
Residency: George Washington University Medical School, Washington, DC
Class of 2018
Alireza Faridar, MD
Residency: Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX
Class of 2017
M. Obadah Nakawah, MD
Residency: Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX
Eligibility and Application
Rotations & Didactic Lectures
Candidates are required to have successfully completed an ACGME accredited residency program in child or adult neurology before the start of the fellowship. Having completed the fellowship program, graduates will be qualified to sit for the examination on neuroimaging offered
by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, a credentialing organization sponsored by all the major neurological societies (American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, Association of University Professors of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society).
APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
To apply, please mail or email the following:
- Updated CV
- (3) Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Good Standing from your Residency Program
Rotations & Didactic Lectures
The neuroimaging fellow needs to dedicate 12 months to neuroimaging in order to be certified by the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS). Our program offers comprehensive training in adult neuroimaging with emphasis on advanced imaging of neurogenerative diseases. The rotations start with neuroimaging basics or “bootcamp” to learn about basic imaging physics, radiologic neuroanatomy, and reporting neuroimaging findings (i.e. report dictation). Rotations are flexible, but a typical rotations schedule is listed below.
Rotations
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroimaging basics |
Neuroimaging basics | Neuro-ophthalmology | Neuro-oncology | Stroke |
Epilepsy |
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurodegener. diseases |
Neurodegener. diseases |
General Neuroimaging | General Neuroimaging | Elective | Elective |
| Description | Frequency | Mandatory? | Who attends? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroimaging Review | Daily | Yes | Fellows, faculty |
| Residents Neuroimaging Noon
Conference |
Monthly | Yes | Fellows, residents, medical students |
| Neuroimaging Journal Club |
Monthly |
Yes | Fellows, faculty |
| Neuroimaging Research
Meeting |
Monthly |
No | Fellows, faculty |
| Neurosurgical Conference |
Monthly | No | Fellows |
| CT, MRI, PET, and SPECT: Applied physics and technical aspects | Monthly | No | Fellows |
| Neuropathology Conference |
Monthly | No | Fellows |
Get In Touch
Program Contact
Maria J. Torres-Quiles
Fellowship Coordinator
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
6550 Fannin
Scurlock Tower, 7th Floor
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.363.9589
Email: mjtorres-quiles@houstonmethodist.org
Fellowship Coordinator
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
6550 Fannin
Scurlock Tower, 7th Floor
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.363.9589
Email: mjtorres-quiles@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
Upcoming Academic Events
Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.
Introduction to NIH Grant Components
Amanda Weiskoff, PhD, Research Development, Office of Faculty & Research Development
Jul 08 @ 11AM
See Details
Chao Seminar - Doo Yeon Kim, PhD
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Doo Yeon Kim, PhD
Jul 14 @ 12PM
See Details19,600
Grand Rounds conducted in 2023
These educational events are held according to varying schedules by departments and divisions within the Houston Methodist Academic Institute
Donate to Houston Methodist
With your support, Houston Methodist provides exceptional research, education, and care that is truly leading medicine.
Donate Now