Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology (Neuroendovascular Intervention)
Message from the Program Director
The Endovascular Surgical Neuroendovascular (ESN) program at the University of Minnesota is dedicated to the advancement of minimally invasive methods to treat patients with neurovascular disease. The central focus of the program is training the next generation of physician leaders in this expanding field. Established over a decade ago, our fellowship program has earned a reputation of providing the best ESN education to our trainees. The program is multidisciplinary and inclusive in every sense - the faculty and fellows bring the strengths and perspectives of neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery. On behalf of our faculty, current fellows, and alumni, we welcome your interest in our program and encourage you to learn more about us.
Program Highlights
- Our ESN fellowship is a rigorous two-year program open to all highly qualified candidates from Neurology, Neuroradiology, and Neurosurgery.
- We typically accept 1-2 candidates into the program every year.
- In certain years, we offer a combined three-year track (one year of Vascular Neurology and two years of ESN) to qualified candidates from Neurology.
- Candidates from Neurosurgery can complete the first year of ESN training as part of their electives during residency and return for the second year after graduation from residency.
- We are one of the few ESN fellowships accredited by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
- Our graduates have been highly successful in a wide range of clinical practice settings.
- Our fellows receive a broad education including ample experience in aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, vascular trauma, tumor embolization, spinal disease, and pediatric disease.
- Our fellows have numerous opportunities for scholarly activity including clinical research and basic research. They publish and present their work in numerous forums each year.
Eligibility Criteria
Diagnostic Radiology Background
Pathway 1:
Fellows entering from diagnostic radiology must have
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in diagnostic radiology; and
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited fellowship in neuroradiology.
Fellows following this pathway will complete two ACGME-accredited years of Neuroendovascular Intervention training.
Pathway 2:
Fellows entering from diagnostic radiology programs are eligible to enter at the second year of the neuroendovascular intervention program, and:
- must have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in diagnostic radiology; and
- must have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited fellowship in neuroradiology; and
- during the PGY-5 of diagnostic radiology residency and the PGY-6 of neuroradiology fellowship, must complete six months of clinical rotations and training in neurological surgery, vascular neurology, or neurointensive care with emphasis on becoming competent in the outpatient evaluation and care of pre- and post-procedure endovascular patients, as well as in the management of patients in the neurointensive care environment; and
- during the PGY-5 of diagnostic radiology residency and the PGY-6 of neuroradiology fellowship, must complete at least 200 neuroangiograms under the supervision of a qualified physician (an ABR/AOBR-certified radiologist or interventional neuroradiologist, an ABNS/AOBS-certified endovascular neurosurgeon, or an ABNP/AOBNP-certified interventional neurologist with appropriate training).
Interventional Radiology Background
Pathway 1:
Fellows entering from interventional radiology must have:
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in interventional radiology; and
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited fellowship in neuroradiology.
Fellows following this pathway will complete two ACGME-accredited years of Neuroendovascular Intervention training.
Pathway 2:
Fellows entering from interventional radiology are eligible to enter at the second year of the neuroendovascular intervention program, and:
- must have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in interventional radiology; and
- must have completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited fellowship in neuroradiology; and
- during the PGY-5 and -6 of interventional radiology residency and the PGY-7 of neuroradiology fellowship, must complete six months of clinical rotations and training in neurological surgery, vascular neurology, or neurointensive care with emphasis on becoming competent in the outpatient evaluation and care of pre- and post-procedure endovascular patients, as well as in the management of patients in the neurointensive care environment; and
- during the PGY-5 and -6 of interventional radiology residency and the PGY-7 of neuroradiology fellowship, must complete at least 200 neuroangiograms under the supervision of a qualified physician (an ABR/AOBR-certified radiologist or interventional neuroradiologist, an ABNS/AOBS-certified endovascular neurosurgeon, or an ABNP/AOBNP-certified interventional neurologist with appropriate training).
Neurosurgery Background
Pathway 1:
Fellows entering from neurological surgery are eligible to enter at the second year of the neuroendovascular intervention fellowship, and must have:
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in neurological surgery, and
- completed a preparatory year of neuroradiology training that provides education and clinical experience may occur during the neurological surgery residency, and should include:
- a course in basic radiographic skills, including radiation physics, radiation biology, and radiation protection; and the pharmacology of radiographic contrast materials acceptable to the program director where the neuroradiology training will occur;
- performing and interpreting a minimum of 200 diagnostic neuroangiograms under the supervision of a qualified physician (an ABR/AOBR-certified radiologist or interventional neuroradiologist, an ABNS/AOBS-certified endovascular neurosurgeon, or an ABNP/AOBNP-certified interventional neurologist with appropriate training;
- the use of needles, catheters, guidewires, and angiographic devices and materials;
- recognition and management of complication of angiographic procedures; and
- understanding the fundamentals of non-invasive neurovascular imaging studies pertinent to the practice of neuroendovascular intervention, including CT/CTA, MR/MRA, and sonography of neurovascular diseases.
Pathway 2:
Fellows entering from neurological surgery who have not met all of the above criteria for advanced placement may be subject to additional fellowship time up to the full 24-month curriculum at the discretion of the neuroendovascular intervention program director.
Neurology Background
Pathway 1:
Fellows entering from neurology are eligible to enter at the first, non-accredited preparatory year of the neuroendovascular intervention fellowship, and must have:
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in child neurology or neurology; and
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited vascular neurology or neurocritical care program.
The preparatory year of neuroradiology training will provide education and clinical experience that includes:
- a course in basic radiographic skills, including radiation physics, radiation biology, and radiation protection; and the pharmacology of radiographic contrast materials acceptable to the program director where the neuroradiology training will occur;
- performing and interpreting a minimum of 200 diagnostic neuroangiograms under the supervision of a qualified physician (an ABR/AOBR-certified radiologist or interventional neuroradiologist, an ABNS/AOBS-certified endovascular neurosurgeon, or an ABNP/AOBNP-certified interventional neurologist with appropriate training);
- instruction in the use of needles, catheters, guidewires, and angiographic devices and materials;
- recognition and management of complication of angiographic procedures; and
- understanding the fundamentals of non-invasive neurovascular imaging studies pertinent to the practice of neuroendovascular intervention, including CT/CTA, MR/MRA and sonography of neurovascular diseases.
Pathway 2:
Fellows entering from neurology are eligible to enter at the second year of the neuroendovascular intervention fellowship, and must have:
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in child neurology or neurology; and
- completed an ACGME- or AOA-accredited vascular neurology or neurocritical care program; and
- completed a preparatory year of neuroradiology training that provides the education and clinical experience listed in Pathway 1.
Application & Interview Process
Applicants who meet the above eligibility criteria are asked to submit the following by January 1st (18 months before the fellowship start date):
- A curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty/mentors on letterhead with signature
- A personal statement of interest in this subspecialty career path
- Copy of your USMLE or COMLEX official score reports
- A copy of your current ECFMG certificate (for International Medical Graduates)
- Email mention of current visa status
Applicants with a neurology background are encouraged to apply for our vascular neurology fellowship through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) in early December. All other applicants should follow the instructions below.
Please send the materials mentioned by email to: Kate Hanson at hans5471@umn.edu.
Competitive applicants will be invited to visit the University of Minnesota for an interview during February/March (16-17 months ahead of start date).
Meet Our Fellows
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Medical School: Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, India
Residency School: UT Health - McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
Coolest/geekiest/most random thing about you: I am a space geek. I've seen every space movie, see every rocket launch, and read all the books about space. I feel everyone should read and re-read Carl Sagan's 1994 Pale Blue Dot speech.
If you weren't a physician, you would be: An astronaut.
Hometown: Topeka, Kansas
Medical School: University of Kansas
Residency School: University of Minnesota
What is your favorite Minnesota activity: Riding bikes with my husband, daughter, and our dog on one of the many greenways to a local restaurant for patio sitting/eating/drinking.
Coolest/geekiest/most random thing about you: I spend an embarrassing fraction of my free time enjoying/participating in medical social media content including but not limited to interventional neurology, comedy, breastfeeding advocacy, and women in medicine.
If you weren't a physician, you would be: A high school AP Biology teacher and springboard diving coach.
Hometown: Surat, Gujarat, India
Medical School: Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune
Residency School: University Of Connecticut School Of Medicine
Why did you decide to come to the U of M ESN Program: U of M Neurology's Vascular-Endovascular Program is one of the finest, most comprehensive, and competitive training programs that I came across during my interview trail. The program's focus on clinical research and close clinical mentorship is exactly what I was looking for during my fellowship training.
What do you enjoy most about the program: I love the fact that the faculty across-the-board is so easily approachable, from discussing patient-care plans to deliberating over potential research ideas.
What are your plans after fellowship: I plan to work in an academic setting, managing patients with acute neuro-vascular injury.
What is your favorite Minnesota activity: Jogging across the university campus, listening to Coldplay!
Coolest/geekiest/most random thing about you: I like to paint sketches that infuse neuroscience into otherwise mundane scenes!
If you weren't a physician, you would be: an artist or play professional tennis
Program Director
Ramu Tummala, MD
Professor of Neurosurgery; Affiliated Professor of Neurology, Radiology
Program Coordinator
Kate Hanson
Verification of Training
To verify a former fellow's participation in the ESN fellowship, please email Cathie Witzel at witz0007@umn.edu.