Clinical
We have a comprehensive epilepsy surgery program, and the fellow has the opportunity to participate in adult and pediatric epilepsy surgery protocols, including Wada and intraoperative language mapping. We also participate in pre- and post-surgical evaluations of patients receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The fellow carries a small caseload of psychotherapy patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders.
Didactic
Didactic opportunities are plentiful within UMass Memorial Medical Center, and include Neuropsychology Didactic Seminar and Case Conference (including mock fact-finding for board certification), Psychiatry and Neurology Grand Rounds, Epilepsy, DBS and Neuropsychiatry Rounds, and a Health Psychology Peer Consultation Group.
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
Numerous 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, though completion of a professional project is required over the course of the fellowship. A large database of neuropsychological test data is available for use in pursuing specific research questions.
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 also accompanied by a significant salary increase.