Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship
Welcome!
We are excited to invite you to learn more about the Brain Injury Medicine (BIM) Fellowship, sponsored through the University of Minnesota.
The BIM Fellowship is a 1 year ACGME accredited fellowship program that provides unique educational and clinical opportunities for physicians passionate about Brain Injury. The BIM fellowship prepares physicians through a dedicated program across multiple clinical sites with the goal of developing and mentoring physicians capable of providing exceptional care for this unique population.
The fellow will rotate through the Minneapolis VA Heath Care Center, home of one of the nation’s five Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers, an Emerging Consciousness Rehabilitation program for veterans and service members with disorders of consciousness, and the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation program which aims to return veterans back to the least restrictive environments in the community. Fellows will also rotate with Hennepin County Medical Center, a level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center. Fellows will spend time on the inpatient consults and acute rehabilitation unit, as well as the outpatient Brain Injury Clinic, which recently received the world’s first CARF accreditation for Concussion Care! In addition, fellows will rotate through Gillette Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital to gain valuable pediatric rehabilitation experience. During the fellowship, fellows will not only train with our collaborative Physiatry teams, but will also work with Neurosurgeons, Psychiatrists, Neuropsychologists, Sleep Medicine Clinics, Audiologists, Developmental Optometrists, and many others. We regularly encourage our fellows to build connections and work with our Speech, Physical, Occupational, and Recreational therapists to help develop cohesive plans for the patient and their family and friends. We will consistently strive to provide a high quality learning and research environment to prepare fellows for the future challenges that they will face as attendings.
We hope that you are as passionate about Brain Injury Medicine as we are and are looking forward to talking with you!
Mission & Vision Statement
Mission: The mission of the University of Minnesota Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship is to develop and mentor exceptional brain injury medicine physicians through high value clinical experiences, robust education, and humanistic practice that will positively impact our trainees, our faculty, and our community.
Vision: The Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship will become a regional and national beacon for the advancement and advocacy of Brain Injury Medicine to support and unite our community by providing high quality education, research, and community engagement.
Fellowship Aims
- Attract and train fellows who have demonstrated a passion for brain injury medicine as well as outstanding humanistic, academic, and scholarly skills
- Prepare these fellows to practice independently in the care of persons with brain injury across diverse care settings
- Provide service to our local and regional community in the care provided, as well as educational and preventative efforts aimed at brain injury
- To prepare passionate physicians for a career in brain injury medicine by advancing their knowledge, skill set, and leadership.
- To provide high quality brain injury medicine care and rehabilitation by advancing the practice to our community
- To advocate and educate our community about brain injury medicine and reduce the severity and impact brain injury brings to the general public
Rotation Sites
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Hennepin Healthcare
- Gillette Children's
- Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program
- Comprehensive Outpatient Brain Injury and Neurorehab Programs
- Interdisciplinary Rotation opportunities
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Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic Program
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Baclofen Pump Clinic
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Neurotoxin Clinic
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Brain Injury Consult across the continuum of care
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Help teach "Brain Medicine for Everyone" course to University students
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Collaborative Neuropsychology experiences
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Inpatient ICU and Acute Care Brain Injury Consult Service
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Inpatient Acute Brain Injury Rehabilitation
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Outpatient TBI Clinic, worlds 1st CARF accredited Concussion Program, and Continuity Clinic
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Neurosurgery/Critical Care Experience
- Inpatient Opportunities
- Outpatient Opportunities
Meet our Team
Michael Kasprzak, DO
Assistant Program Director
Biography coming soon...
Matthew Puderbaugh, DO
Assistant Program Director; Hennepin Healthcare Site Director
Dr. Puderbaugh, from Topeka, Kansas, attended medical school at the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado and then completed his Internship at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan. He then served as a flight surgeon for the United States Air Force for five years. After his active duty service, he completed his PM&R residency at the University of Minnesota while continuing his service as a flight surgeon in the Minnesota Air National Guard. Dr. Puderbaugh further specialized in Brain Injury Medicine through the University of Minnesota’s Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship.
Academic Interests: early interventions for Brain Injury Medicine, Disorders of consciousness, Fellowship Education
Contact: puder004@umn.edu
Diane Mortimer, MD
VA Site Director
Dr. Mortimer received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked in nursing for 12 years, including 10 years in neuro-trauma critical care. She received her Medical Degree (MD) from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She completed her residency in PM&R at The Ohio State University and her fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine and Polytrauma Rehabilitation at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Dr. Mortimer is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Medicine. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.
Academic Interests: chronic brain injury issues, disorders of consciousness, military and veteran brain injury issues, and clinical ethics
Contact: schr0490@umn.edu
Ameya Joshi, MD
Brain Injury Medicine Fellow
2022-2023
Transitioned to: Cleveland Clinic, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cleveland, OH
“I enjoyed the Brain Injury Medicine fellowship at the University of Minnesota for several reasons. Overall, the fellowship has a great team of welcoming, supportive, and highly knowledgeable faculty. There is a dedicated TBI continuity clinic for fellows and a spasticity management Clinic. Fellows experience a seamless continuity of care; from acute consults, to inpatient rehabilitation, to outpatient follow-up in the continuity clinic. Fellows have the unique opportunity to work at the VAMC Minneapolis, one of only five national sites with an inpatient poly trauma rehabilitation program, as well as HCMC Minneapolis, a level I adult and pediatric trauma center. There was also dedicated research time to allow me to publish case reports and participate in conferences.
The exposure gained in the TBI continuity clinic during the fellowship has proven valuable in my current role at Cleveland clinic, where I oversee a TBI clinic. The extensive exposure to the acute consult service during my fellowship prepared me to handle acute neuro-trauma consultations very effectively. Also, the experience I gained in the spasticity clinic enhanced my ability to perform focal spasticity management interventions seamlessly in my current role.
Living in Minneapolis was a safe and enjoyable living environment, year-round. The city’s efficient public transportation system was great, especially during the winter. Exploring the numerous lakes and scenic river walks around the city was great for recreation and there was a diverse culinary scene, with delightful food from various cuisines.”
In the News
See All
The Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance held their 28th Annual Conference on April 25, 2024 at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Several faculty members of the University of Minnesota Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship were invited speakers to the event which hosted over 150 participants. The mission of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance is to raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury and we are grateful that our faculty members took time to help support this mission.
Dr. Diane Mortimer, MD, the Medical Director of the Inpatient Brain Injury/Polytrauma Rehabilitation and Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System spoke on ‘Traumatic Brain Injury as a Chronic Disease,’ highlighting the many ways that Brain Injury affects the entire body long after the initial injury. She was joined by Dr. Paola Tossaint-Gonzalez, MD, a Second year resident at the University of Minnesota Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency.
Dr. Matthew Puderbaugh, DO and Dr. Brionn Tonkin, MD, from Hennepin Healthcare presented on the current data surrounding vitamin and mineral supplementation in Traumatic Brain Injury. The packed room audience had several questions regarding the use of supplements and was very well-received for the ability to deliver content in in a digestible way.
Dr. Zainab Al Lawati, MD, the Rehabilitation Medicine Spasticity Program Director at the University of Minnesota wrapped up the conference, speaking on ‘Aging in Traumatic Brain Injury.’ Dr. Al Lawati did a great job of highlighting the ever changing aspects of brain injury and how it can affect multiple domains of life.
Thank you to all of our faculty and residents for supporting this great organization and continuing to build connections throughout our local community.
Program and Policy Manuals
For information that applies to all fellows in a training program at the University of Minnesota, consult the Institution Policy Manual. Information in the Institution Policy Manual takes precedence over the Program Manual in cases where there is conflict.
Contact
Lindsey Christ
Program Administrator
BrainIMfellow@umn.edu
Mailing Address
Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship Program
420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 297
Minneapolis, MN 55455