Train with leading neuromuscular disease experts and researchers

The OHSU Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship is a perfect fit if you are pursuing a career in academic medicine. We offer expert, one-year training in both patient care and research.

You’ll join a team leading the shift from diagnosis-only care to life-changing treatments. OHSU’s ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center is among the best in the nation for patient care and research. 

You'll gain clinical experience as you care for patients who have amyloid, autonomic and complicated neuromuscular conditions. Study advanced treatments like gene therapy and leading CAR-T therapy for autoimmune neuromuscular disorders to offer new hope to patients and their families.

Fellowship objectives 

Your training will prepare you for board certification in neuromuscular medicine and a career in academic medicine. You will care for patients, perform muscle biopsies and EMG, and interpret muscle pathologies.

Much of your clinical training will take place at OHSU’s ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center, one of only five Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association Centers of Excellence in the Western United States. The center has:

• The only amyloidosis treatment and research center in Oregon
• One of the largest myositis clinics on the West Coast

Fellowship curriculum 

Our one-year fellowship has ACGME and AANEM Lab accreditation. The hands-on training program offers:

• EMG lab training 45% of the time
• Clinical neuromuscular training 45% of the time
• Highly specialized subspecialty clinics in myositis, ALS and amyloidosis
• Interpretations of muscle and nerve biopsies and 1:1 mentoring with Nizar Chahin, M.D., who has extensive training in neuromuscular pathology
• Courses in biostatistics, clinical trials, epidemiology and evidence-based medicine through OHSU's Human Investigations Program.

Alongside your training, you can also pursue a master’s degree in:

• Clinical research
• Business administration
• Public health 

Clinical curriculum

You will train at subspecialty clinics and labs, including:

• EMG lab (AANEM accredited)
• ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center
• Myositis clinic
• Amyloid clinic
• Neuropalliative care clinic
• Autonomic study lab
• Muscular dystrophy clinic
• Muscle and nerve biopsy reading sessions

Research

You can contribute to research on therapies for autoimmune neuromuscular disease, muscle disorders and rare plasma cell conditions. Research projects and clinical trials include biologics, gene therapy and cell-based treatments.

Our neuromuscular disease section is conducting:

• Phase 3 trials of Efgartigimod and Batoclimab for generalized myasthenia gravis
• Investigational CAR-T and CAAR-T therapies for myositis and AChR- and MuSK-positive MG
• Longitudinal and natural history studies in multifocal motor neuropathy and muscular dystrophies
• Studies targeting complement pathways in CIDP and other immune-mediated neuropathies
• MRI biomarker studies for muscle loss in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies
• Gene therapy and rare-disease trials in Pompe disease and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis

How to apply 

Apply through the AANEM Neuromuscular Fellowship Portal.

Follow the requirements in the application portal, which include:

• Your CV
• A personal statement
• Medical school transcript
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation
• Certified USMLE scores
• Three or four letters of recommendation (one from residency program director) 

International medical graduates must also submit:

• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate
• Documentation of U.S. clinical experience 

Important dates 

• We start interviews in March a year before the fellowship starts.
• We start offering fellowship positions in June for the following year.

Fellowship leaders

Noona Leavell, M.D., leads the Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship program. She is an assistant professor and researcher in the Department of Neurology. Dr. Leavell focuses on treating patients with ALS, myasthenia gravis and peripheral neuropathy. She also has training in hospice medicine for end-of-life care. 

Other program leaders