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

Alissa Alson
Program Coordinator
Phone: 216.444.6953
Email: ALSONA2@ccf.org

9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195

Highlights

• Diverse, 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 Alissa Alson (ALSONA2@ccf.org), program coordinator. 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

2024 – 2025

Mohab Abdelmalek, MD (graduating January 2025)

Medical school: Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Residency: Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I was drawn to the Cleveland Clinic because of the stellar reputation and the unparalleled learning environment it offers. The chance to work with cutting edge technology and the diverse patient population seemed like the perfect fit for my interests in EEG and neuroanesthesia. Plus, the collaborative culture and focus on development really spoke to me on the personal level.
Hobbies/interests: My hobbies and interests are all about enjoying life’s simple pleasures. I love getting active with basketball and soccer, especially when I get to share that time with the kids. It’s not just about the sports, but the laughter and fun we have together. At home, challenging my son to a game of FIFA is a highlight of my day. When we’re not competing, we’re bonding as a family, whether that’s watching our favorite shows, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or just relaxing together. And when I have some time to myself, I unwind with a game of billiards or table tennis. It’s these moments that recharge me and keep me balanced.

Bryan Benson, MD, PhD (graduating June 2025)

Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
Residency: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic: I chose Cleveland Clinic for multiple reasons. From a training perspective, it offers acuity and the breadth of experience. From an academic perspective, there is great mentorship and access to research. From a personal perspective, living in Cleveland is great.
Hobbies/interests: Research interests: microvascular dysfunction. Personal interests: Hiking, weightlifting, environmental sustainability, skiing.

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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