A warm welcome to all the Neuro-Endovascular Fellows! On the behalf of all SVIN faculty members, fellows and residents, I want to welcome all Neuro-Endovascular Fellows who have started fellowship. We are all proud to welcome you to our ranks as you embark on this magnificent journey during the course of your fellowship.
I am sure you are excited about starting this new chapter in your training. During this year, you will gain the clinical and procedural skills to become a competent interventional neurologist. The learning curve, especially early in the academic year, is steep and all the new content can be overwhelming. Identifying a mentor at your institution or elsewhere who shares some common interests is a valuable first step and can ensure you get the most out of your fellowship.
For the first time, we turn from a clinically-heavy training program to a procedural training environment. Always remember, you are a Neurologist first. For those of you still in Neurology residency, be diligent in your training. Spend your fourth year filling any clinical holes or areas that you would like to improve on. You will not have this opportunity once you start your interventional fellowship. However, once you start your interventional fellowship, you still need to take care of the whole patient.
Jay N. Dolia
Senior Neuro-Endovascular Fellow Clinical Instructor, Vascular Neurology
Department of Neurology, UPMC Stroke Institute
Pittsburgh, PA
The global Neuro-Endovascular community on #twitter (@YoungNIR, @svinsociety, @snisinfo and @cvsection) is growing exponentially and is becoming a favorite and easily accessible educational tool amongst fellows. I can personally attest that being a part of the Neuro-Endovascular #socialmedia community has helped me connect with others who have similar interests and goals and led to collaborations with other institutions while also boosting my experience in the neuroangiography suite. I highly recommend participating in this educational medium to discuss topics and learn from your fellow trainees and faculty. These opportunities will keep you updated and help you have an open mind for new methods.
Deciding to pursue training in Neuro-Endovascular during this unprecedented time of crisis is not easy. There may be some concerns about how the pandemic has affected the clinical training and education for fellows. We at SVIN hope to alleviate some of these concerns and to assure you that the health and wellbeing of our field and training is a top priority. Implementation of a webinar series by SVIN entitled “WebNIR Tutorials” and other societies are well underway. With the increasing complexity of NIR procedures and focus on patient clinical care, our training is poised to meet the demands of the future.
I hope this advice helps your transition to fellowship. One last piece of advice – do not forget to be humble in face of the opportunities and challenges in this upcoming year. So, buckle up and get ready for the best two years of your life and career. There has never been a better time to become an Interventional Neurologist!
