What Our Fellows Think

Neurology fellowship training offers advanced practice providers (APPs) the opportunity to broaden their scope of practice, improve their knowledge, and advance their careers. Graduates of our training programs are often capable of managing or beginning the workup of many common neurological disorders, making them versatile assets to their team and workplace. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to what some of our current fellows say about how their training impacted their lives and work.

How did your neurology fellowship training make a difference in your career?
“The APP fellowship in neurology helped prepare me for clinical practice, made me feel more confident, and gave me the knowledge I needed to start working in neurology. Before the fellowship, I was uneasy about starting in neurology, having only had a limited exposure in PA school. During the fellowship, I was exposed to and learned about a variety of neurological conditions, broadening my ability to recognize, diagnose, and treat beyond what I had learned in PA school. There are many tests, treatments, and diseases that I had not even heard of before my fellowship that I now recognize and deal with on a regular basis. Now working in headache medicine, I’m comfortable not only managing headache disorders, but also beginning the workup for many common neurological disorders. I am grateful for having done the neurology fellowship, and I encourage anyone who wants to increase their understanding to consider participating in one as well.”
Amy Davis, PA-C, 2024 Duke Neurology APP Fellow and practicing neurology physician assistant at Duke University Hospital

 

How did your neurology residency training make a difference in your career?
“Completing a PA residency has given me the opportunity to develop significant clinical, academic, and professional experience in the field of neurology that is not likely replicated in a direct-to-practice setting. Neurology is a complex and rapidly changing field: a post-graduate residency lets you experience various subspecialties. By rotating through various clinical settings at a major academic medical center, I have been able to appreciate the “big picture” and nuances of neurology. This experience not only instilled greater confidence in my clinical decision skills but also helped me to forge collegial relationships with a diverse group of providers. As a former high school teacher, I’ve also greatly enjoyed the research and teaching opportunities this residency has afforded me: teaching future APPs is one of the highlights of my time as a PA resident! Lastly, I feel truly supported by the connections I made during my residency and involvement with PA advocacy at the local and state level. I am very thankful for this experience as I continue at my training site after residency as a PA in adult general neurology and pediatric headache neurology. Completing a postgraduate PA residency has been one of the best professional decisions I have made to further my career, and I strongly encourage others to consider it!”
Dennis Zelenak, PA-C, 2024-2025 University of Kentucky Neurology Academic PA Resident, Outpatient Adult and Child Neurology APP at the University of Kentucky