Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship

Overview

The Cleveland Clinic Neuroanesthesiology ICPNT-accredited fellowship has a long-standing reputation for fostering expertise and preparing its fellows for impactful careers in Neuroanesthesiology. It is one of the first programs of its kind, welcoming its first class of fellows in 1982. Cleveland Clinic sees a wealth of complex neurosurgical cases, a real strength of the program. In the last year, there were over 4,000 Neurosurgical procedures performed at Main Campus. The program has earned accreditation through the International Council on Perioperative Neuroscience Training (ICPNT). This accreditation sets educational standards, promotes high quality sub-specialty education in neurosciences and ultimately strives to improve patients’ outcomes with neurologic conditions.

The Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic Foundation is designed to prepare innovative anesthesiologists who excel in the practice and education of perioperative neurosciences. The goal of the program surpasses competency training in management of complicated intracranial, spine, and interventional neuroradiology procedures, a skill that should have already been acquired during residency. This one-year program motivates its graduates in initiation and continuation of clinical and/or basic science studies in neurosciences and prepares them for leading positions in this field. Our curriculum focuses on the three-pillar concept of perioperative neurosciences mentioned in the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC):

1. Clinical Neuroanesthesiology.
2. Neuroscience foundations of anesthesiology.
3. Management of patients with neurologic diseases undergoing non-neurologic surgery.

Fellowship Contact Information:

Shobana Rajan, MD
Program Director, Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship Program
Chair, International Council for Perioperative Neuroscience Training (ICPNT)
Phone: 216.598.6915
Fax: 216.444.2294
Email: RAJANS5@ccf.org

Andrew Sadouskas, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Phone: 216.903.2544
Email: SADOUSA@ccf.org

9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195

Highlights

• Multidisciplinary faculty team who are committed to fellow education.
• Ample opportunities to develop their research portfolio including involvement in departmental research projects and protected research time- one day/week during neuroanesthesiology rotation.
• 2024-2025 salary: $74,890.
• Institutional Funding up to $2,500 to attend the SNACC Annual meeting and $1,000 for educational expenses.
• Monthly neuroanesthesia journal club meetings.
• Simulation-based workshops.
• Involvement in resident teaching.
• Networking in SNACC; many program faculty have been in leadership positions with active participation in this society.

Rotations & Structure

Fellowship rotations

Elective options – We offer a range of options for the elective rotation depending on the fellow’s interest including Trauma at Hillcrest Hospital, Pediatric Neuroanesthesiology, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, and Research.

*Fellows get one research day per week during the neuroanesthesiology rotation.

Call responsibility

Fellows are expected to take Saturday calls (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.) once per month during their neuroanesthesiology rotation.

Education & didactics

• Alternating Thursday morning lecture series.
• Weekly PBLDs.
• Weekly Wednesday morning anesthesiology grand rounds.
• Monthly Neuroanesthesia Journal Club.
• Annual simulation-based workshop.
• Neurosurgery M&Ms.
• ICPNT webinars.

Anesthesia for neurosurgical procedures

• Complex brain tumors.
• Awake craniotomy.
• CP angle and skull base surgery.
• Pituitary tumors.
• Craniotomy in the IMRIS (Intraoperative MRI).
• Open and endovascular clipping/coiling of aneurysms.
• Craniotomy for AV malformations.
• Endovascular management of stroke.
• Anesthesia for functional neurosurgery.
• Anesthesia for epilepsy procedures.
• Anesthesia for traumatic brain injury.
• Anesthesia for complex spine patients.

Application Process

Interested applicants should be motivated to pursue a career in Neuroanesthesiology and critical care and possess strong and professional verbal and written communication skills. Two fellows are selected for this program each academic year. International Medical Graduates are encouraged to apply. The Cleveland Clinic can sponsor the H1B visa for this program if requirements are met.

To apply, please send a completed application package to our program coordinator, Andrew Sadouskas (SADOUSA@ccf.org). An application package includes the following documents:

• Application form (Please download and complete)
• Personal statement
• CV
• American Board of Anesthesiology certification (preferred, but not required)
• USMLE and in-training scores
• List of scholarly activity
• ECFMG Certificate (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the residency program director)

Fellows

2025 – 2026

Rubina Sharma, MD (graduating January 2026)
Medical school:  Government Medical College Patiala, India
Residency:  Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic:  Cleveland Clinic has the best standards of healthcare, and it not only cares for the patients but also offers high-standard support to its employees.

Marielle Sakr, MD (graduating June 2026)
Medical school:  University of Balamand Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
Residency:  Saint Georges University Hospital, University of Balamand, Beiruit, Lebanon
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I chose Cleveland Clinic because it is a world-renowned healthcare organization that is dedicated to providing quality patient care.

Marta Ravasi, MD (graduating June 2026)
Medical school:  Universita degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia Italy
Residency:  Universita degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia Italy
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic:  I chose Cleveland Clinic for its global reputation for excellence in patient care and medical education, as well as its international and collaborative environment. I’m particularly drawn to the complexity of neuroanesthesia, I felt deeply connected to the critical role anesthesiologists play in preserving neurological function and ensuring patient safety during complex procedures. At Cleveland Clinic, I will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in a high-volume center with leaders in this field.

Alumni: Where are they now?

2019 – 2024

Marco Ibrahim, MD

• Clinical Fellow, Pediatric Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

Sagar Jolly, MD

• Clinical Fellow, Solid Organ Transplant and Vascular Anesthesia, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA

Anna Maria Nuti, MD

• Clinical Fellow, Liver Transplantation Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

Jean Beresian, MD

• Staff Anesthesiologist and Neuroanesthesiology Faculty, Division of Multi-Specialty Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

Adbelrahman Soliman, MD

• Locum Consultant, King’s College Hospital, London, UK

Seyed Amir Mohajerani, MD

• Neuro-Anesthesiologist, Shafa General Hospital, Baboslar, Iran

Adele Budiansky, MD

• Staff Anesthesiologist and Neuroanesthesia Fellowship Co-Lead, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Lusine Israelyan, MD

• Resident, Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

Faculty

• Program Director: Shobana Rajan, MD, FASA
• Rafi Avitsian, MD, FASA
• Jean Beresian, MD, FASE
• Sekar Bhavani, MD
• Ehab Farag, MD, FRCA, FASA
• Sam Gumbert, MD
• Samuel Irefin, MD, FCCM
• Ryu Komatsu, MD
• Sandra Machado, MD
• Mariel Manlapaz, MD, MEd
• Stacy Ritzman, MD
• Hui Yang, MD, PhD

Resources

Training at Cleveland Clinic

We invite you to explore our Graduate Medical Education website to discover the reasons why Cleveland Clinic offers an ideal teaching and learning environment as well as to learn more about our rich tradition of excellence in the “education of those who serve.”

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