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MSIV electives and internships

MSIV Electives and Acting Internships

The Department of Neurology offers electives and acting internships for 4th year SUNY Upstate medical students and medical students from other institutions. These electives are designed to expose students interested in Neurology to inpatient and outpatient populations. Students will expand their knowledge of Neurology, strengthen their localization and examination skills, and work in specialized areas of Neurology. Acting Interns will have increased responsibility and autonomy in their role within the Neurology team.

The Department of Neurology has the following electives:

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Adult Clinical Neurology Acting Internship - NEUR2801

Course Director: Dr. Michael Vertino
Contact: VertinoM@upstate.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MDCN2000, SURG8200, OBGY3600, PEDS5600, FAMP1600, PYCH6800
Maximum Number of Students per Period: 1
Elective Periods Offered: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012
Elective Description: The Adult Neurology Acting Internship will help students broaden their knowledge of neurology, enhance their clinical acumen, localization and examination skills, and competence. Each AI will serve as an integral part of the team, either on the inpatient service or the consultation service. The AI will be responsible, under the supervision of housestaff and attending physicians, for the evaluation of and management of patients assigned to them. Students will take night calls and make work rounds with their supervising resident. Acting interns will participate in all scheduled conferences for the housestaff, including morning report, EEG/EMG conference, neuro-Ophthalmology and the resident review course sessions. Outpatient experiences may be arranged depending on the time schedule and availability of faculty members. Evaluation of students is based on their oral presentations, written documentation, interactions with housestaff and attendings and other educational assignments.

Clinical Pediatric Neurology - NEUR2804

Course Director: Dr. Ai Sakonju
Contact: sakonjua@upstate.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: PEDS5600, NEUR3000
Maximum Number of Students: 1
Elective Periods Offered: 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 009, 010, 011, 012
Elective Description: To familiarize the student with the essentials of the pediatric neurologic examination at various developmental stages. The student may further elect to concentrate on either the management of chronic disorders or the basic mechanisms of a selected group of specific diseases.

Delivery of Outpatient Care in Neurology - NEUR2807

Course Director: Dr. Michael Vertino
Contact: VertinoM@upsate.edu
Credits: 1 to 3
Prerequisites: NEUR3000
Maximum Number of Students: 2
Elective Periods Offered: Concurrent, this course is not available in the elective lottery.
Elective Description: Students will be able to 1) perform a history and neurologic exam and use the examination to localize the neurological problem and create a differential diagnosis; 2) develop an organized approach to the evaluation of patients with neurological disorders;3) be familiar with neurological disorders commonly encountered in an outpatient setting; 4) gain exposure to subspecialty areas within neurology if desired. Students will select between general neurologic practice or subspecialty areas (e.g. epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular disease, neuro-Ophthalmology, child neurology, headache) during each block. Multiple blocks may be arranged to gain experience in different subspecialties. Students should contact the attending physicians in areas of interest to determine availability and then contact Dr. Vertino for assistance with scheduling. Change (add/drop/preceptor change) in the elective must be given no later than 4 weeks prior to start date.

Elective with Practicing Neurologist - NEUR2808

Course Director: Dr. Michael Vertino
Contact: VertinoM@upstate.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: NEUR3000
Maximum Number of Students: 2
Elective Periods Offered: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, this course is not available in the elective lottery.
Elective Description: This elective will provide an outpatient experience for students interested in neurology. Students may select up to 2 units over a 4-week period from the following: neuromuscular disease/EMG, epilepsy/EEG/evoked potentials, neuroophthalmology/headache, cerebrovascular disease, general neurology, pediatric neurology, movement disorders, neurology with a private practitioner. The month will be scheduled according to the student’s interests and the availability of at tending physicians in the particular area(s) selected. Students will have the opportunity to participate in patient care within the areas assigned. Students should contact the attending physicians in their assigned area(s) of interest to determine availability and then contact Dr. Vertino for assistance with scheduling.

Neuro-Ophthalmology - NEUR2814

Course Director: Dr. Luis Mejico
Contact: MejicoL@upstate.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: NEUR3000, OPTH4001, OPTH4003, OPTH4004
Maximum Number of Students: 1
Elective Periods Offered: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, this course is not available in the elective lottery.
Elective Description: Neuro-ophthalmology interfaces Neurology, Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery, and Medicine to evaluate patients who have nonophthalmic problems of the visual system. Students will learn to use the basic principles of the neurological history and examination, coupled with techniques of the ophthalmological examination to investigate various neuro-ophthalmic problems. Majors areas of emphasis include optic nerve disorders, visual field defects, ocular motility problems, neuroophthalmic manifestations of systemic diseases, familiarity with various neurodiagnostic tests, and therapeutics. Some experience in evaluation of neurological patients is included. Students will participate in weekly Neuroophthalmology conference and will be assigned responsibility for the preparation of one session during their rotation. Most of the experience will be with outpatients, and some inpatient consultations.

Neuroscience for the Primary Care Physician - NEUR2815

Course Director: Dr. Saeed Bajwa
Contact: ccstuaff@upstate.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: NEUR3000
Maximum Number of Students: 2
Elective Periods Offered: 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012
Elective Description: This four-week course will offer an intensive experience in both Neurology and Neurosurgery to students intent on pursuing careers in primary care. The student will work closely with each of four neurosurgeons and three neurologists in an office, hospital, and operating room setting. Goals of the rotation are: to improve assessment and clinical decision making of the primary care physician with regard to diseases of the nervous system; to gain familiarity with various neuro-imaging modalities and their applications; and to build a knowledge base which can incorporate newer technologies certain to impact the field. Operation room experience will be designed to enhance clinical rather than surgical skills. Participation in an on-call schedule will be strongly recommended. Two to three detailed patient work-ups per week will be required. Reading material will be provided.

Prerequisites

Students must be in good academic standing in their 4th year of medical training to be eligible for participation in a Neurology elective or acting internship.

Registration

Registration for electives or acting internships can be done through the Registrar's Office. You can contact them at 315 464-4604 or Registrar@upstate.edu.

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