Clinical

We have a comprehensive epilepsy surgery program, and the fellow has the opportunity to participate in adult and pediatric epilepsy surgery protocols, including intraarterial amobarbital procedures (Wada) and intraoperative language mapping. We also participate in pre- and post-surgical evaluations of patients receiving DBS surgery. The fellow carries a small caseload of psychotherapy patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders. 

Didactic

Didactic opportunities are plentiful at UMass Memorial Medical Center. The fellow attends weekly psychiatry and neurology grand rounds, monthly epilepsy and DBS rounds, a biweekly Neuropsychology Journal Club and a biweekly Health Psychology Peer Consultation Group. Additional didactic opportunities can be arranged with the training director.

Teaching and Supervision

The fellow receives experience in supervising interns who select the neuropsychology track from our affiliated UMass Medical School/Worcester State Hospital APA-approved psychology internship training program. Supervision consists of training interns in appropriate test administration, interpretation and report writing. The fellow is responsible for the initial editing of interns' reports. The fellow also is actively involved in running a bimonthly Journal Club for review of articles relevant to the practice of clinical neuropsychology. Opportunities to conduct didactic trainings for the internship program are also typically available.

Research

Research opportunities exist within both the neuropsychology service and the broader medical center and its affiliates. This is driven largely by the interest level and motivation of the individual fellow, but we do have a large database of neuropsychological test data available for use. 

Massachusetts Licensure

During the first training year, the fellow is strongly encouraged to spend time preparing for both the EPPP examination and the Massachusetts jurisprudence examination for state licensure, which can typically be taken by the fall of the second training year. While achieving licensure will not impact the training structure of the program, this increases the flexibility of training experiences, improves billing for the fellow's work, and positions the fellow well for subsequent employment. In light of the expanded billing, achievement of licensure is accompanied by an appropriate salary increase.