Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship
76
Active Clinical Trials
71
Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2023
76
Employed Neurologists Across 7 Hospitals
10
Specialized Centers & Programs
About Our Fellowship
The Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at Houston Methodist Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology is a one-year, ACGME accredited program. Two fellowship positions are available for clinical training with specialization in clinical neuromuscular medicine, including electrodiagnostic medicine, neuropathology, research experience, and rehabilitation. The program provides a large and varied clinical experience with greater than 75 neuromuscular patients evaluated weekly from both outpatient and inpatient services. More than 100 muscle and/or skin biopsies and over 2000 EMG/NCV cases are performed every year.
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute is the site for one of the five leading MDA/ALSA ALS Clinic and Research Care Center in the US under the direction of Stanley H. Appel, MD with over 100 ALS patients diagnosed yearly and over 250 active patients managed longitudinally. The department also has one of the largest multidisciplinary Myotonic Dystrophy Clinic which follows over 100 patients every year. Also, Muscular dystrophy clinic (MDA) includes those with muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, inherited neuropathy, CIDP/acquired neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and metabolic/mitochondrial disorders. A large volume of acquired and inherited amyloidosis patients are seen and followed in the neuromuscular clinic.
Candidates are required to have successfully completed an Accredited Residency Program in child or adult Neurology or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation before the start of the fellowship. Having completed the fellowship program, graduates will be clinically as well as academically credentialed, and well trained to take the examination offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in the Subspecialty of Neuromuscular Medicine and one offered by American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute is the site for one of the five leading MDA/ALSA ALS Clinic and Research Care Center in the US under the direction of Stanley H. Appel, MD with over 100 ALS patients diagnosed yearly and over 250 active patients managed longitudinally. The department also has one of the largest multidisciplinary Myotonic Dystrophy Clinic which follows over 100 patients every year. Also, Muscular dystrophy clinic (MDA) includes those with muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, inherited neuropathy, CIDP/acquired neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and metabolic/mitochondrial disorders. A large volume of acquired and inherited amyloidosis patients are seen and followed in the neuromuscular clinic.
Candidates are required to have successfully completed an Accredited Residency Program in child or adult Neurology or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation before the start of the fellowship. Having completed the fellowship program, graduates will be clinically as well as academically credentialed, and well trained to take the examination offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in the Subspecialty of Neuromuscular Medicine and one offered by American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Rotations
Neuromuscular Clinic
The Neuromuscular Clinic (NM) Rotation (5 mos.) experience is 100% outpatient with weekly half day EMG/NCV, Muscle/Nerve biopsy reading, Pediatric Neuromuscular clinic UTSHC, and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) fellow’s clinic. The outpatient experience occurs at the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology, Scurlock Towers, Ste. 802, a 36-examination room clinic with a separate nurse and physician workspaces, the internet, and computer services and resources, and clerical and medical support. Fellow will rotate with Dr. Sheetal Shroff in EMG/NCS Monday afternoon, Tuesday all day clinic which includes both new and follow-up patients with a variety of neuromuscular disorders and Wednesday afternoon for biopsies & ultrasounds.
ALS/Neuromuscular Rotation
The ALS/Neuromuscular (NM) Rotation (2 mos.) experience is also 70% outpatient and 30% inpatient (admits, consults) with weekly half-day clinics in EMG/NCV, Muscle/Nerve biopsy reading, Pediatric Neuromuscular clinic, and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) fellow’s clinic.
The outpatient experience occurs on the outpatient workup unit located on the 11th floor of the West Pavilion of the Houston Methodist Hospital. The unit has 24 beds, six chair infusion suite, a 4 bed EMG/NCV unit. Patients are referred for a 2-3-day outpatient evaluation, treatment plan or treatment predominantly under the supervision of Dr. Stanley H. Appel. The patient population evaluated on the unit is made largely of ALS patients and other neuromuscular disorders including CIDP, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune neuromuscular disorders and muscular dystrophies.
The inpatient experience also includes the evaluation and treatment of the admitted neuromuscular patient under the supervision of a neuromuscular attending. The inpatient service is made up of a variety of cases including AIDP, Myasthenia gravis exacerbation/crisis, critical illness neuropathy and myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, acute respiratory failure associated with other neuromuscular disorders (dystrophy, ALS, inflammatory myopathies).
EMG/NCV Rotation
The EMG/NCV Rotation is a three-month outpatient experience (including inpatient consults for EMG/NCV). It is located on the outpatient workup unit located on the 11th floor of the West Pavilion of the Houston Methodist Hospital. Fellows will be taught the basics of electrodiagnostic testing including safety, NCV, EMG, and RNS and its application in the diagnosis of motor neuron disorders, disorders of neuromuscular junction, myopathies, myotonic syndromes and disorders of muscle hyperexcitability, peripheral neuropathies, radiculopathies, and plexopathies under the guidance and supervision of Drs. Rosenfield, Smith, Shroff, Liao & Anderson.
Elective
Fellows are provided two months for elective rotations which include PMR, Research, Muscle and Nerve Histopathology, or EMG/NCS or neuromuscular pulmonology. The electives allow the resident to gain additional exposure and training to these subspecialties based on their interests and future career/academic goals. These rotation experiences are all located at the Houston Methodist Hospital under the guidance of the respective program faculty.
Subdivisions
Neuromuscular Clinic
A multidisciplinary approach to assist patients with neuromuscular diseases to live with their condition and apply the latest therapies and proactive symptom management in a positive and caring setting.
Multidisciplinary Clinics
MDA/ALSA ALS Clinic
First and largest multidisciplinary care center for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the United States dedicated to the treatment of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Many of our team members have practiced together for over 20 years and we hold ourselves to the highest standards when caring for patients with ALS.
- Clinic occurs every 1st Friday of the month
- Fellow’s role is primarily for acquiring research data and observing continuity of care
Myotonic Dystrophy Clinic
The clinic addresses and minimizes the challenging aspects of this multisystemic disorder, help improve survival and quality of life, and foster research. The clinic is staffed by a team that includes neurologists, a cardiologist, respiratory therapist, sleep specialist, nutritionist, social worker, genetic counselor, physical and occupational therapists, and home health agency vendors. It offers a range of laboratory and diagnostic testing to assess patients for related diseases.
- Clinic is held four times a year
- Fellow is assigned patients that are staffed by attending
Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
- Electromyography & Motor Control Laboratory
- Neuromuscular ultrasound
- Muscle & Nerve Histopathology Laboratory
Our Team
Neuromuscular Medicine
- Sheetal Shroff, MD, Program Director
Neuromuscular Pediatrics
Neuropathology
- UTHSC Pediatrics faculty
- Shade B. Moody, MD, UT Pediatrics
Neuropathology
Eligibility and Application
Candidates are required to have successfully completed an Accredited Residency Program in child or adult neurology or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation before the start of the fellowship. Having completed the fellowship program, graduates will be clinically as well as academically credentialed, and well trained to sit for the examination offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, in the Subspecialty of Neuromuscular Medicine.
We are participating in a unified Neuromuscular fellowship application timeline with the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). We will review the application starting in March and interview invitation will be sent out. Interviews are typically conducted in April/May by invitation only. Please remember the online portal opens on January 1st to apply to the fellowship programs. We will be conducting interviews virtually.
Current Fellow & Alumni
Class of 2025
Sara Benitez, MD
Class of 2020
Ashley E. L. Anderson, MD, MPH
Niloofar Yari, MD
Class of 2019
Mithila M. Fadia, MD
Class of 2017
Jason Thonhoff, MD, PhD
Class of 2016
John D. Eatman, MD
Class of 2015
Sheetal Shroff, MD
Class of 2014
Lamar Davis, MD
Richard Reinsvold, MD
Class of 2012
Tamara S. Greene, MD
Get In Touch
Fellowship Coordinator
Maria J. Torres-Quiles
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
6560 Fannin St.
Scurlock Tower, 7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77030
713.363.9589
mjtorres-quiles@houstonmethodist.org
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
6560 Fannin St.
Scurlock Tower, 7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77030
713.363.9589
mjtorres-quiles@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
Sheetal Shroff, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Academic Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Academic Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Upcoming Academic Events
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Houston Methodist Hospital
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