Psychology Fellowships

Overview

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Cleveland Clinic's Department of Psychiatry & Psychology and its training programs.

The Department is one of four in Cleveland Clinic's Neurological Institute, including Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology. Coincidentally, the Department has its origins in the vision of Cleveland Clinic’s first chairman of Neurological Surgery, W. James Gardener, MD. At a 1943 meeting of Cleveland Clinic’s Administrative Board, he proposed adding a department of psychiatry to the growing Cleveland Clinic. Eventually, in 1946 the Department of Neuropsychiatry opened, and in 1960 split into separate departments with A. Dixon Weatherhead, MD, serving as Psychiatry’s first Chairman.

In July, 1961 the Department welcomed its first resident trainee, and by 1976 the General Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program had achieved full accreditation. Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.

The Department's academic mission has roots that are not only deep, but broadly based. In addition to its General Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program, it has competitive fellowships in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and post-doctoral fellowships in Neuropsychology, Health Psychology, and Chronic Pain. Long involved in the training of medical students, the department played a vital role in the planning and development of Cleveland Clinic's Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM), which opened its doors in 2004. Department staff, residents and fellows continue to play key roles as mentors and in didactic, seminar, office-based and bedside teaching of CCLCM and Case Western Reserve University medical students.

Cleveland Clinic has always been committed to excellence in patient care and research in the diseases that affect our patients. We take special pride in training future psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists and look forward to meeting and visiting with you.

Karen Jacobs, MD
Director, Psychiatry Residency Program
Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute

Clinical Health Psychology Fellowship

Program Description

The goal of this Clinical Health Psychology Fellowship is to provide individualized, clinical opportunities for psychological assessment and interventions with adult patients experiencing a wide range of medical and psychological problems. Our fellowship is primarily outpatient-based and includes psychological consultations and diagnostic interviews, short-term psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, group psychotherapy with medical patients, and special programs (e.g. psychological treatment of multiple sclerosis, cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia, primary care, stress management, biofeedback with medical patients, and objective personality assessment). Opportunities are available to pursue special areas of interest (such as medical school teaching, marital and family therapy, program development, and bariatric evaluations). This is a one year certificate program in one major rotation area; fellows may apply for second year of fellowship in the same or different area of specialty based upon goodness of fit/mutual consent. To date, our graduates have been successful at obtaining a position in Clinical Health Psychology upon completion of the fellowship.

Our 5 Current Major Rotations in Behavioral Medicine include:

• General Health Psychology.
• Chronic Pain Rehabilitation.
• Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis.
• Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
• Bariatric.

Minor rotations in these areas are assigned based on goodness of fit with major rotations:

• Primary Care Outpatient Clinic/Family and Marital Therapy.
• Behavioral Sleep Medicine/Sleep Disorders Clinic.
• Mellen Center.
• Bariatric Clinic.  
• Medical School Teaching/Communication Skills Training (when available).
• Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Biofeedback.

The fellowship is clinical in nature, but the fellow is expected to participate in ongoing research, poster presentations, didactics, and teaching.

The fellowship provides a generous benefits package:

• Individual supervision for licensure.
• Extensive didactics.
• Paid time away (15 vacation days, 5 personal days).
• Individual/family medical benefits (available for a fee).
• Dental insurance (available for a fee).
• Vision insurance (available for a fee).
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care and healthcare expenses (contributions are pre-tax).
• One stipend per fellow may be available for travel/conference attendance pending approval by the Department Administrator. The fellow must be the primary author and presenter at the conference, the research must be generated at Cleveland Clinic, and the research must be published during the fellowship.

Learn more about our Health Psychology Fellowship Program

Application Process

Applications are accepted from October through the mid December of each calendar year. Applications should be submitted to the Program Director and are reviewed by the Program Director and supervisors of major/minor rotations. Qualified applicants will have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA-approved program including their dissertation defense before the September start date of their first year of fellowship (no exceptions). In addition, they will have graduated from a pre-doctoral internship in adult clinical and/or health psychology (health psychology experience is essential) that is an APA accredited graduate program (preferred) or graduate program that meets the APPIC standards (required). Our fellowship is not currently APA accredited, but we are listed on the APPIC directory.

Interested applicants should email the following materials to Natalie Douglass DOUGLAN3@ccf.org: CV, Official Transcripts and a letter of interest/intent specifying preferences for major rotation(s). Please specify all rotations for which you would like to be considered. Include a clinical work sample and three letters of recommendation (sent by their authors). If you have not yet received your doctorate, a letter from your program director attesting to your status as a doctoral candidate, and anticipated date of dissertation defense as well as anticipated graduation date are also required.

• Application for Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Interview Process

Interviews for invited applicants are held in a group format in late January/early February of each calendar year. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted via email in mid to late January. All active supervisors will be present and participate during interviews to provide an opportunity to interact with all candidates.

Hiring Decision

Preference is given to applicants at APA accredited pre-doctoral internships in health psychology; however, applicants meeting APPIC internship standards will be considered. Prior to beginning the first year of fellowship, fellows are required (no exceptions) to have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA-approved program including their dissertation defense.

Hiring decisions are typically made in late February early March of every calendar year. Actual appointments begin in late August/early September. In years where there is an APPIC Uniform Notification Date (UND) for postdoctoral fellowships we adhere to their hiring policies.

• Matthew Sacco, PhD
  Director, Clinical/Health Psychology Training Program
  Associate Staff Psychologist
  Behavioral Medicine/Mellen Center
  Phone: 216.445.6835

If you have any questions, please email nieducation@ccf.org.

If you are applying to the program, please make the subject line of your email "Health Psychology Fellowship application."

Fellowship Supervisors

• Kathleen Ashton, PhD
• Michelle Drerup, PsyD
• Casey Goodpaster, PhD
• Leslie Heinberg, PhD, MA
• Ninoska Peterson, PhD
• Sarah Rispinto, PhD
• Joseph Rock, PsyD
• Alicia Roth, PhD
• Taylor Rush, PhD
• Matthew Sacco, PhD
• Amy Sullivan, PsyD, ABPP
• Cynthia Van Keuren, PsyD

Clinical Neuropsychology (Nevada)

Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (CCLRCBH) in Las Vegas, Nevada is now accepting applications for a two-year fellowship in clinical neuropsychology to begin August 2024 or later, with exact start date negotiable based on internship completion date. The CCLRCBH is an outpatient neurology center specializing in neurodegenerative diseases with distinct programs in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Movement Disorders, and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis. The neuropsychology program currently consists of three neuropsychologists, Justin B. Miller, PhD ABPP-CN, Jessica Z.K. Caldwell, PhD, ABPP-CN, and Shehroo B. Pudumjee, PhD, and a health psychologist, Lucille Carriere, PhD.

Training will prepare fellows for board certification in neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). We follow the scientist-practitioner model and emphasize training and development of neuropsychologists who can assume leadership roles in clinical service, research, and/or teaching.

Qualified applicants will have successfully completed requirements for a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral program prior to starting fellowship training. Competitive applicants will be those with evidence of specialization in neuropsychology, and clear interest in neurodegenerative disease, and demonstrated potential for scholarly productivity.

Clinical Training

Clinical training will include a core curriculum and specialized work with adults and older adults in our general clinical population. Most of the time will be devoted to outpatient neuropsychological assessment with optional minor rotations in behavioral health, the Women’s Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic (WAPC), and focused research activities. Additional opportunities for intervention may be available. Minor rotations are structured to cater to fellows’ interests and professional development trajectory. Fellows may also participate in brief observational rotations with colleagues in specialty neurology and rehabilitation services in order to build skills working with interdisciplinary teams.

Research Opportunities

This fellowship is primarily clinical in nature; however, participation in related research will also be expected, either through development of independent projects or collaborating with ongoing faculty projects. Current ongoing research topics that fellows would have an opportunity to become involved with include analysis of brain imaging, biomarkers, neuropsychological data, and social determinants of health from a local NIGMS-funded study of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience [CNTN]) and national databases; opportunities focused on rural health within our Nevada exploratory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC); NIA-supported investigation of stress and sex hormone impact on inflammation and brain-based biomarkers in the WAPC at Cleveland Clinic; and ongoing investigations of psychometric properties of tests, technological advancements in neuropsychological assessment, and refining clinical diagnostic criteria.

Training Environment

Fellows will work within a rich interdisciplinary environment, including weekly a neuropsychology seminar and interdisciplinary didactic seminar jointly with Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, bimonthly consensus conferences for ADRC and CNTN, invited lectures, and opportunities for collaboration with faculty across disciplines and departments. Fellows will be expected to participate in these activities. The stipend for fellows will approximate current NIH pay scales and will include a comprehensive benefits package, competitive support for conference attendance and travel, as well as dedicated funds for educational materials and professional development.

We encourage applications from individuals from diverse and underrepresented groups and are committed to supporting the needs of every trainee. Of particular relevance to international students, Cleveland Clinic Nevada has historically been successful in supporting those on student visas with employment authorization and/or those pursuing work visas over the course of fellowship. International students are encouraged to contact Dr. Shehroo B. Pudumjee pudumjs@ccf.org and Susan Farris farriss@ccf.org to discuss their specific situation.

Interested candidates can direct any informal enquiries to the Training Director, Dr. Shehroo B. Pudumjee (pudumjs@ccf.org).

Application Process

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held via videoconference in December 2023 - January 2024. We will hold informal, virtual Open Houses to address applicant questions on:

November 9, 2023 at 1pm PST using the following link

• Meeting ID: 255 710 171 539
• Passcode: MGp4Xx 

December 18, 2023 at 3:30pm PST using the following link 

• Meeting ID: 244 035 991 908
• Passcode: cWhww9

All application materials should be submitted as PDFs emailed to: Susan Farris, education program manager: farriss@ccf.org.Recommendation letters should be emailed directly by letter writers to Susan Farris as well.

Please provide the following (incomplete applications will not be reviewed):

1. Completed Fellowship Application form. Please specify for which of the fellowships described above the application is intended on the first line. 
2. A letter of interest describing relevant academic and training experiences, desired postdoctoral training objectives, perceived “fit” with this program, and future professional goals (please limit to 2 pages).
3. Current curriculum vitae.
4. Three letters of reference, including at least two from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and clinical training in neuropsychology.
5. A statement from the applicant's graduate school clinical training director indicating the applicant's status in the program and probability of completing the requirements for the doctorate prior to the fellowship year (waived for those already holding the doctorate).
6. An official graduate transcript(s) (unofficial transcripts will be accepted for review, but official transcripts will be required prior to start date for invited applicants).
7. Two de-identified clinical work samples.

Please note this fellowship occurs entirely on the Las Vegas campus and is distinct from fellowship opportunities at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Ohio.

Neuropsychology Fellowship - Cleveland

Welcome from the Program Director

Thank you for your interest in the Cleveland Clinic APPCN two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology as the next phase in your professional journey. We view fellowship as the culmination to the training experiences you have gained throughout your doctoral education. It is during this last stage of formal supervised experiences that you will discover your personal practice style and continue to develop your professional identity.As your training director, I am committed to advancing your understanding and applied knowledge of brain-behavior relationships by tailoring your fellowship experiences to balance your training needs with your interests and career goals. Education is a core mission of the Cleveland Clinic and all faculty share a commitment to training the next generation of clinicians. Our goal is for our trainees to obtain advanced specialty competence in clinical neuropsychology through a range of training opportunities that include clinical, research, teaching, supervision, advocacy, and promotion for equity, diversity, disability, justice, and inclusion. Graduates of our fellowship are well prepared for careers as scientist practitioners in hospital-based practices and medical school settings. The curriculum provides the foundation for graduates to pursue board-certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology. We strive to promote an environment that will challenge you while being supportive with a focus on supervision with developmental progression towards autonomy.

The Cleveland Clinic Graduate Medical Education program is one of the largest in the country and trains approximately 1900 residents and fellows in 109 training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as well as 100 programs, such as ours, outside of ACGME umbrella. Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) was established 18 years ago and is dedicated to training physician-investigators through one of the most unique and highly competitive programs.

I hope that the following program information provides a glimpse into the clinical, research, and professional opportunities available at the Cleveland Clinic and the faculty’s dedication to the education, training, success, and well-being of our fellows. We enthusiastically welcome trainees from diverse backgrounds and those who have faced historical and traditional barriers.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our fellowship after you have reviewed this brochure.

Sincerely,

Pamela M. Dean, Ph.D., ABPP
Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology
Program Director
Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic (Ohio)

Program History

The Neuropsychology Section was established as a formal patient care center within the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Cleveland Clinic in 1986 and moved to the Department of Neurology in 2019. The Cleveland Clinic's postdoctoral fellowship in adult clinical neuropsychology was established in 1993 and is a founding member of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). The Cleveland Clinic is an internationally known tertiary medical center and is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

The fellowship operates under the Section of Neuropsychology in the Department of Neurology. The Neuropsychology Section consists of 14 neuropsychologists (eight board-certified through the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology), 13 psychometrists, two post-doctoral fellows, and practicum students. Faculty includes 11 adult providers, two pediatric, and one lifespan rehabilitation neuropsychologist. Throughout all aspects of clinical care, research, teaching, education, professionalism, and interactions, the division promotes racial and cultural equity and inclusion.

Fellowship Mission

Cleveland Clinic offers a two-year, full-time postdoctoral fellowship for advanced training in Clinical Neuropsychology that is individually tailored to the training needs and interests of the fellow. The program offers a Major Area of Study in Clinical Neuropsychology and operates in accordance to the Division 40/Houston Conference Guidelines (The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 1987, 1, 29-34; Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1998, 2, 203-240), which will be updated as information from the Minnesota Conference is released. The fellowship is designed for trainees who have completed an APA/CPA accredited doctoral program in clinical/counseling psychology and who have a strong academic, clinical, and research background in the fundamentals of neuroscience and neuropsychological assessment.

The training model is designed to provide fellows with advanced clinical, research, educational, and didactic immersive experiences necessary for developing professional-level clinical interpretative and consultation skills while under the supervision of the neuropsychology faculty. The goal of the fellowship is to prepare trainees for successful completion of the board certification process through the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and for careers in interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary hospital-based and academic medical settings.

Basic Requirements & Application Procedure:

Currently, only applicants with primary interests in adult neuropsychology are being considered.

Fellowship Dates: On or about September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026.

Application deadline: December 21, 2023

Program Contact: Pamela M. Dean, Ph.D., ABPP-CN
Program Director, Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship (Ohio)
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave (S-31)
Cleveland, OH 44195
Email: deanp2@ccf.org
Phone: 216.445.1637

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum criteria must be met upon entrance to the program:

• Completion of an APA/CPA accredited doctoral program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology (PhD or PsyD) including defense of doctoral dissertation.
• Completion of an APA Accredited predoctoral internship
• Desire to work in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team environments with diverse patient populations and flexibility to work with one or more supervisors at a time.

Highly desired criteria:

• Past clinical practica and internship experiences in a medical setting.
• Strong foundation in clinical neuropsychology and interest in medical setting oriented careers.
• Graduate level training and clinical experiences in a scientist-practitioner model.

Application Process

1. Register for the APPCN. Cleveland Clinic’s Match Number is 9685.
2. Submit your application materials in a single PDF to Dr. Pamela Dean: deanp2@ccf.org.

• Letter of interest
  • Include relevant academic and training experiences, fellowship objectives, perceived “fit” with the program, and future professional goals.
• Two paragraphs (< 250 words each) highlighting:
  • Professional service, leadership, and or/advocacy work you have participated in either formally or informally.
  • Your reflection on the importance of equity, diversity, disability, and inclusion as it pertains to your professional development as a clinical neuropsychologist. This can include personal insights or experiences or broader thoughts/views as this relates to issues within our field.
• Current CV
• Three letters of recommendation.
  • At least two from those familiar with your academic and clinical training in neuropsychology.
• The APPCN Verification of Doctoral Training Form (APPCN Doctorate Verification).
  • Or a statement from your graduate school clinical training director indicating your status in the program and probability of completing the requirements for the doctoral degree prior to the start of fellowship.
  • This is waived for those already conferred a doctoral degree.
• Official copy of your graduate school transcripts.

3. If there are post-match vacancies, you may submit an application and include the required items listed above.

Training Program Description

Trainees gain experiences through general and specialty clinics that expose fellows to a range of complex medical and neurological disorders. The Section of Neuropsychology also receives cross-cultural referrals for neuropsychological evaluations, utilizing certified interpreters, which offers a unique clinical training experience.

Fellows rotate through three 4-month rotations each academic year. The first year includes a combination of both general and specialty clinics. Fellows have the opportunity to specialize in their second year including clinical, research, teaching, supervision/mentorship of practicum students, and selected didactics. This is intended to meet the fellow’s specific interests and training needs and prepare trainees for their desired professional position.

Education is a core mission of the fellowship; therefore, in addition to clinical and research experiences, fellows have a variety of didactic and education training opportunities.

Expectations and Time Breakdown:

Year 1: 70% Clinical 10% Didactics 20% Research

• 3-4 Cases with 1-2 supervisors.
• Trainees may protect time for research, but particular research day will flex based on supervisor/rotation schedule.

Year 2: Opportunity to move to 60% Clinical, 10% Didactics, 30% Research

• Research time is discussed during orientation week and approved by the training committee. It is based on history of productivity, achieving competency benchmarks, and fellowship goals.
• Clinical cases may be adjusted based on research deadlines in communication with the training director, research mentor, and clinical supervisor.
• If Clinical time remains at 70%, # of cases can depend on:
  • Type of job trainee is seeking (minimum of 6 cases but can increase up to 8 cases)
  • Training needs if not hitting benchmarks (increased focus on depth vs breadth)
• Expectation: On site 5 days a week (M-F).

Clinical Rotations

In consultation with supervisors and the training director, clinical cases are selected to best meet the training needs and goals of each fellow. There is no shortage of cases to choose from with roughly 85 patients seen through the different clinics each week between all of the faculty. Fellows learn how to write efficient and succinct reports in a fast-paced environment where multidisciplinary teams and providers rely on timely feedback from our evaluations. Although the Section is a psychometrist-based service, we recognize the importance of direct patient contact in developing a strong clinical understanding of process variables and patient behaviors that underlie test performance. Therefore, fellows will test some patients throughout the two-year fellowship with the majority occurring during the first year.

General Adult Neuropsychology Service

Patients are referred to General Adult Neuropsychology service for a variety of concerns including neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiovascular history, Pre-LVAD, stroke, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury, anoxic brain injury), mood disorders, and other cognitive difficulties. Referral sources include neurosurgery, general neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine, transplant, and cardiology, among other departments within Cleveland Clinic, as well as external providers. This is a busy and fast-paced service that is utilized by many providers and departments. In 2022, this service saw nearly 3,000 patients, including both adult and pediatric patients.

Epilepsy Service

Cleveland Clinic’s Epilepsy Center diagnoses and treats more than 10,000 patients (children and adults) per year. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCEC accommodated 20, 508 total outpatient visits, 1,700 patients were admitted to the inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Units, and a total of 173 patients underwent respective epilepsy surgery. Neuropsychologists in this center work with a multi-disciplinary team comprising neurosurgeons, epileptologists, neuroradiologists, bioethicists, EEG technologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and advanced practice providers.

Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted to assist in determining candidacy for epilepsy surgery, and patients are typically re-evaluated following surgery to track post-surgical cognitive change. Fellows attend weekly epilepsy patient management rounds to review patient data and discuss treatment options, including suitability for surgery. While most patients are seen in the outpatient neuropsychology clinic, some patients are evaluated on the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), which features digital EEG monitoring equipment and is staffed 24 hours per day.

Center for Neurological Restoration

Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neurological Restoration provides medical management and surgical innovations in the treatment of various disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, among others. It is comprised of two sections: (1) Movement Disorders and Functional Neurosurgery (with locations in Ohio and Nevada) and (2) Headache and Facial Pain; however, the neuropsychology staff only work in the movement section and are not seeing patients in headache or pain.

Neuropsychologists in this Center work as part of an interdisciplinary team, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, researchers, biomedical engineers, and other specialists. Within this context, neuropsychological staff perform evaluations for movement disorders patients to aid with diagnosis and management at all stages of disease.  The majority of the evaluations are performed to assess patients for suitability to undergo functional neurosurgery procedures, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) or MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for patients with movement disorders and shunting for treatment of hydrocephalus. Post-operative evaluations are also conducted to track treatment effectiveness and symptom management. Surgical patient diagnosis and treatment plans are discussed every two weeks in multi-disciplinary patient management meetings.

Center for Brain Health

The Center for Brain Health at Cleveland Clinic is an assessment and treatment center for individuals with neurodegenerative and other cognitive disorders. Diagnoses include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other parkinsonian disorders (e.g., progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome). Multidisciplinary staff include neuropsychologists, behavioral neurologists, sleep medicine specialists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, social workers, and physician’s assistants, as well as nurses and medical assistants. Our center also works closely with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted to assist with differential diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as to track disease progression and assess for safety (e.g., driving, living independently). Patient diagnoses and treatment plans are discussed in weekly multi-disciplinary Consensus Conference meetings. The Center also conducts a weekly Interdisciplinary Cognitive Neuroscience Seminar jointly with the Las Vegas center, with topics varying week to week.

Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center

The Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center is a nationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of primary and metastatic spine, nerve, and brain tumors, and their effects on the nervous system. This center records approximately 8,000 patient visits and performs more than 900 surgeries per year.

Neuropsychological evaluations help physicians to understand the neurobehavioral and neural systems effects of the brain tumor and/or treatments on cognitive functioning. This multidisciplinary team includes physicians, psychiatrists, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, radiation oncology, CNS radiosurgery, and laboratory/translational research. Evaluations may also be used to help track recovery trajectories over time, assess for safety, as well as contribute to treatment planning. Fellows are welcome to join weekly Brain Tumor Board meetings.

Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis

The Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research was established in 1984 and is now one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for MS care and research worldwide. This multidisciplinary care team evaluates patients not only for MS but also other autoimmune neurological conditions, such as autoimmune encephalitis.  Neuropsychological assessments are conducted to monitor disease progression, assist with vocational/occupational planning, and assess treatment response, including immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Neuropsychologists work closely with neurologists, neuroradiologists, psychologists, social workers and occupational and speech therapists. There are many opportunities for fellows to participate in multidisciplinary care and research.

Pediatric Neuropsychology

The pediatric neuropsychology service provides evaluations to children who have a medical history of CNS illness or injury. The goal of the evaluation is to provide recommendations to parents, providers, and schools regarding appropriate services, modification, and accommodations when they return to school. In some cases, children who are candidates for epilepsy surgery are evaluated to determine the risk for dysfunction following surgery and provide the epilepsy team with information regarding cognitive abilities.

The service also works closely with pediatric hematology/oncology as well as aspects of the transplant teams for kidney and heart transplants. We have also begun to see children with history of stroke, multiple concussions, sensorineural hearing loss, craniosynostosis and history of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Research

Faculty from the adult and child neuropsychology program are actively involved in ongoing clinical research in the areas of epilepsy surgery, neurosurgical treatment of movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, dementia, cognitive effects of COVID-19, teleneuropsychology in patients with movement disorders, intervention trials for seizures and cognitive impairment in epilepsy, RNS/DBS for treatment of epilepsy, and the Cleveland Clinic Brain Study.   

Pediatric neuropsychology projects are examining attention, processing speed, memory, and language in children with epilepsy, examining cognitive abilities in children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, genetic mutations, and changes in cognition, attention and processing speed following chemotherapy, radio-therapy and surgical treatments for the hematology/oncology population.

The section maintains a number of IRB-approved patient registries and is involved in many ongoing collaborative research projects both within and outside the institution. Fellows will receive 20-30% protected time for research and are expected to submit at least 1 manuscript for publication and 1 presentation at a national conference during the course of the two-year fellowship. Examples of publication types include retrospective or prospective research studies, review articles, meta-analyses, or book chapters. The type of project and percent research time will depend on the fellow’s research history and future goals and will be collaboratively decided upon between the fellow and their research mentor with approval final approval from the fellowship committee. Opportunities for grant-writing may also be available for interested fellows. Cleveland Clinic is highly supportive of research activities, and provides excellent statistical, computer, graphic art, photography and editorial support services. Independent and/or new collaborative research projects will be encouraged, and grant applications are highly supported. Travel time is provided to present at professional meetings, and some financial support for travel is available in the second year, especially for first-authored papers based on work accomplished at Cleveland Clinic.

Didactics

Education is a core mission of the fellowship.  Fellows receive 10% time for didactics and seminars weekly.  This includes the weekly Neuropsychology Seminar, monthly Professional Development Seminar, and monthly multisite journal club that is held virtually with neuropsychology fellowships in the Cleveland area.

Weekly Neuropsychology Seminar:

• This is conducted in conjunction with the staff and trainees at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas via videoconferencing. Seminar presenters rotate weekly and include staff, fellows, and invited speakers from related disciplines. Practicum students also have the opportunity to present to the group to gain valuable experience in scientific or case presentation. 

Monthly Professional Development Seminar:

• Seminars focus on professional practice and identity, supervision, advocacy, preparation for the employment interviews and negotiations and more. Trainees also will have the opportunity to engage Fact Findings and other portions of the Board Certification Oral Exam.

Additionally, trainees can select from wide variety of specialty didactic and training opportunities including:

• Brain Tumor Board Meeting.
• Movement Disorders Video Rounds.
• Epilepsy Patient Management Rounds.
• Center for Brain Health Consensus Conference & Interdisciplinary Clinical Neuroscience Seminar.
• Neurology Grand Rounds.
• DBS/NPH Patient Management Rounds & Education Rounds.
• Psychiatry Grand Rounds.
• Pediatric Neuroradiology Patient Management Rounds (bimonthly).
• Epilepsy Grand Rounds.

Additional Training and Learning opportunities include:

• 3-month course in Epilepsy/Neurophysiology/EEG.
• 4-month course in Medical Biostatistics.
• Observing Neurology in various specialty clinics, Neurosurgery, DBS surgery, or Cognitive Rehabilitation.
• Brain cuttings/Neuroanatomy.
• Monthly neurorehabilitation didactic.

Supervision

Formal clinical supervision is provided on an individual basis to review cases. Informal supervision is also available as needed, and staff typically have an open-door policy. Supervisors have different approaches to supervision with some maintaining closer contact depending on the nature of the rotation and the needs of the trainee, with the goal of developmentally appropriate autonomy.

Teaching

Teaching and supervision is an important aspect of professional skill development. During the 2^nd year, Fellows will have the opportunity to supervise undergraduate and doctoral practicum students utilizing an umbrella model of supervision. Fellows also have the opportunity to supervise psychometrists. Fellows are invited and encouraged to join faculty in lectures to medical/neurology residents and other trainees, other didactics forums (e.g., Grand Rounds), and at other community events. We believe these teaching experiences enhance trainees existing knowledge and experiences with a variety of neuropsychological assessment procedures and neurological disorders.

Mentorship

The fellowship utilizes a mentorship model. In addition to support from the training director and rotation supervisors, at the start of their fellowship, trainees will select a (1) preceptor (a faculty member without an evaluative role) and (2) a research mentor.

Evaluations

The postdoctoral fellow’s progress is evaluated by the faculty, which includes the rotation supervisor(s), research mentor, and training director, and are competency based.  Feedback regarding the fellow’s strengths and opportunities for growth is provided to the fellow and forwarded to the Cleveland Clinic's Graduate Medical Education (GME) office. Performance is also assessed via fact-finding exercises modeled after the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN)'s Oral Exam as well as the APPCN written exam. If a fellow is not progressing or achieving the expected level of competence, a specific plan to remediate identified weaknesses will be developed per GME policies. We value the input and feedback of fellows, which is obtained through regular meetings with the training director and section head as well as through program evaluations.

Terms and Conditions

Fellows must have completed all of the formal requirements for the doctorate before beginning postdoctoral training; appointments begin in September. Although the Cleveland Clinic's Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship is designed as a two-year program, contracts are made on a year-to-year basis, with renewal for the second year being made by mutual consent. Note: Cleveland Clinic employees must be tobacco-free.

Financial Support and Benefits

Type of Support	Details
Annual stipend/salary for full-time fellow first year	$63,457
Annual stipend/salary for full-time fellow second year	$65,596
Vacation	15 days per academic year
Personal paid time off	5 days per academic year
Conference Attendance Days	Up to 3 working days per year and $2500 for academic travel reimbursement
Health Benefits	Comprehensive health, dental, vision insurance for fellow and immediate family at minimal cost to the fellows.
Other Benefits	Membership in the House Staff Association (discounted event tickets, networking opportunities, and social events with other residents), & onsite fitness center and pool access.
Other	Salary determination, grievance process, allotment of vacation and meeting time, and other institutional procedures occur in accordance with the General Policies for Graduate Medical Education. Please see GME for additional details.

Neuropsychology Staff

As neuropsychologists, we are members of the Professional Staff. Several staff members have academic appointments or pending appointments with Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM).

Ana Arenivas, PhD, MPH joined the section in 2021. She has a central interest in pediatric epilepsy and congenital/genetic conditions associated with seizures. Her primary appointment is in the Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute where she works as a clinician scientist providing neuropsychological services to pediatric patients and conducting research in cognition in pediatric epilepsy and related genetic conditions. Additional background and interests include assessment with non-English speaking individuals and global research in tuberculous meningitis.

Kayela Arrotta, Ph.D., ABPP-CN joined the section in 2019 with an appointment in the Epilepsy Center. Her clinical work primarily involves conducting pre- and post-surgical epilepsy evaluations, although she also sees a small portion of patients within the general adult neuropsychology service. Her research interests are to improve the prediction of cognitive outcome following epilepsy surgery and understand the long-term functional implications of post-surgical cognitive changes.

Aaron Bonner-Jackson, PhD, ABPP-CN joined the Section in 2011 bringing expertise in neuropsychological assessment of dementia syndromes. His primary appointment is in the Center for Brain Health and his research interests include studies of progressive neurological conditions.

Robyn M Busch, PhD, ABPP-CN joined the Section in 2005 and took over as Head of the Section of Neuropsychology in 2020. She has a primary appointment in the Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute and a secondary appointment in the Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute. Dr. Busch’s clinical and research interests focus on cognitive assessment and prediction of neurobehavioral (cognitive and mood) outcomes in individuals who undergo epilepsy surgery. Her current research program seeks to identify genetic and genomic factors that underlie neurobehavioral dysfunction in epilepsy or contribute to poor cognitive outcome following epilepsy surgery.

Pamela Dean, PhD, ABPP-CN, joined the Section in 2022 and has an appointment in the Center for General Neurology with a special interest in the evaluation and behavioral management of neurodegenerative disorders. She is the Director of the Clinical Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program and an Associate Professor of Neurology in the Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Her research interests include both neurologic and rehabilitation populations respectively. Dr. Dean serves on several national neuropsychology professional organizations including holding leadership roles that focus on education, training, mentorship, professional advocacy, and board certification. Additionally, she is proficient in American Sign Language and has an interest in providing neuropsychological evaluations to prelingually Deaf patients.

Darlene Floden, PhD, ABPP-CN joined the Section in 2007 and has appointments in the Center for Neurological Restoration (CNR) and Cerebrovascular Center. She primarily provides services to adult patients with movement disorders and patients with acute and chronic stroke. Part of her time is devoted to NIH funded research related to cognitive screening, frontostriatal brain circuitry, and surgical outcomes in deep brain stimulation and high frequency focused ultrasound.

Rachel Galioto, PhD, ABPP-CN joined the section in 2017 as an adult neuropsychologist with appointments in the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis and general adult Neuropsychology. Her research primarily involves understanding factors associated with cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

Laura Hancock, Ph.D., ABPP-CN joined the section in 2023 and has an appointment in the Center for General Neurology. Her clinical work is focused on a combination of general adult neuropsychology service and adults with multiple sclerosis, which is her area of special interest and expertise. Her research interests include cognitive and emotional functioning in people with MS and individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. She has a special interest in older adults with MS and developing a better understanding of how cognitive skills change among people with MS as they age, and what factors might help us prevent future cognitive decline. She is also interested in cognitive rehabilitation efforts to help restore cognitive skills that have been lost for people with MS.

Patricia Klaas, PhD joined the Section in 2004 with clinical responsibilities in pediatric neuropsychology. Dr. Klaas' research interests involve memory and language issues in pediatric epilepsy surgery patients. Areas of interest also include head injury, congenital cardiac disorder, childhood stroke, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Current research focuses on cognitive assessment of individuals with PTEN mutations (with Dr. Busch), cognitive functioning in children with chronic kidney disease, phase II studies of new epilepsy medications, cognitive functioning in Continuous Slow Wave Sleep, and early medulloblastoma.

Cynthia Kubu, PhD, ABPP-CN joined the Section in November 2001 to provide clinical services to adult patients with an emphasis on candidates for deep brain stimulation and MRI guided focused ultrasound at the present time. A significant portion of her time is devoted to NIH funded research related to ethics in the context of neurological disorders and treatment. She is active in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and currently serves as the Interim Vice Dean for Faculty for the CWRU School of Medicine.

Katherine Reiter, PhD joined the section in 2019 as an adult neuropsychologist with appointments in the Center for Brain Health (CBH) and the general adult neuropsychology service. Her primary clinical interest is memory disorders with additional foci in stroke and traumatic brain injuries. Her research interests include the influence of Cognitive Reserve on age-related cognitive and brain structure changes.

Scott Sperling, PsyD, ABPP-CN joined the section in 2020 and has an appointment in the Center for Neurological Restoration (CNR). He provides services to patients undergoing evaluation for deep brain stimulation or high intensity focused ultrasound lesioning for the treatment of movement disorders, as well as adults and older adults with cognitive and memory complaints. He has a history of funded research and currently conducts studies investigating non-motor symptoms, the relationship between Ch4 degeneration and cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and the outcomes of neurosurgical interventions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. He is also an active leader in the areas of education, professional development, and advocacy.

Kelly Wadeson, PhD joined the Section in 2012, adding expertise in rehabilitation. Her primary appointment is in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and she sees patients in Neuropsychology at least one day per week. Her clinical neuropsychology practice includes school-age children through adults.

The Cleveland Metro Area

The Cleveland area is a vibrant hub of culture, with outstanding restaurants, theater, the symphony and arts, as well as all major professional sports. There is easy access to Lake Erie, an excellent metropolitan park system, and the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park for outdoor recreational activities.  In the summer, there are water sports on the lakes and rivers including paddle boarding and even surfing (for skilled surfers).

Some activities and points of interest in the Cleveland area:

Cleveland Orchestra (world-class orchestra performing at Severance Hall)
Cleveland Metroparks (system of parks and trails encircling Cleveland, known as the “Emerald Necklace”)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Playhouse Square (performing arts center hosting theater, comedy, musical, and dance performances)
West Side Market (large, indoor public market in Ohio City neighborhood)
East 4th Street
Cleveland Flats

Professional sports

Cleveland Browns (football)
Cleveland Guardians (baseball)
Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball)
Cleveland Monsters (AHL hockey).

You can also visit thisiscleveland.com or Cleveland Clinic - About Cleveland and review Cleveland Clinic Facts+Figures PDF for more information about activities in and around Cleveland as well as up to date facts and figures about the Cleveland Clinic.

Current Fellows

2022-2023 Clinical Fellows

Health Psychology - Year 1

Marielle Collins, PhD
Graduate School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Seyma Saritoprak, PhD
Graduate School: Case Western university

Grace Tworek, PsyD
Graduate School: Nova Southeastern University

Kami McManus, PsyD
Graduate School: PA Immaculata College

Sylvia Shay, PsyD
Graduate School: The Wright Institute 

Anna Gernand , PsyD
Graduate School: Indiana State University

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Neuropsychology - Cleveland

John Lace, PhD - Year 2
Graduate School: St Louis University

Ahmad Alsemari, PsyD - Year 1
Graduate School: William James College

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Neuropsychology - Las Vegas

Sonakshi Arora, PhD
Graduate School: Palo Alto University

Katherine Stypulkowski, PhD
Graduate School: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Diversity & Inclusion

The Center for Graduate Medical Education and Cleveland Clinic are united in a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in education as well as in the communities we serve. We value all people regardless of the many dimensions of identity and how those identities may intersect.

Discover more about the role diversity and inclusion plays and about our diversity and inclusion efforts.

• Learn more.

Living in Cleveland

Cleveland, an ethnically diverse, mid-sized city located on Lake Erie, features a host of cultural attractions, recreational activities, major sporting events and an exploding culinary scene. Cleveland is home to the second largest theater district in the U.S., a park system featuring 23,700 acres in 18 reservations, and is the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, home to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Cleveland Clinic is located near the University Circle area, which is the cultural epicenter of Cleveland. This area features Severance Hall and the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, several other museums, and Case Western Reserve University. Downtown Cleveland, home to all major sports venues and an exploding culinary scene, is approximately two miles from Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.

• Learn more about the city we call home.

Living in Las Vegas

While many Las Vegas newcomers are awed by the nightlife and world of entertainment options, they are even more delighted with the myriad of housing options available citywide. Whether you are looking for rural seclusion, a lush, private master-planned community or high-rise living on the Las Vegas Strip, you will find the options endless.

Clark County contains Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas the three biggest cities in Southern Nevada. Clark County's population based on the most recent U.S. Census figures indicates we have reached nearly two million residents. Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world and over the last couple of decades has garnered accolades for its fast-growing population, entrepreneurial atmosphere, unlimited housing and vast employment options. Las Vegas continues to expand its non-gaming industry base and is becoming a notable education and research community. Henderson has been consistently measured as one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Las Vegas' little sister, Henderson has a population of just over 250,000.

Just south of Las Vegas, Henderson is a vibrant suburb. Created for Basic Magnesium, Inc. defense plants during World War II, Henderson continues to evolve with the addition of its own entertainment and recreation. Henderson's main attraction is Lake Mead, the world's largest man-made lake and home to Hoover Dam.

North Las Vegas is the third fastest-growing city in the nation with a population exceeding 200,000, and it is vibrant and independent city. A proactive city government has led the way in creating a technology hub in the area. The city is home to the bulk of Southern Nevada's manufacturing facilities.

Located in the southeastern part of the valley, 25 miles from downtown Las Vegas and 10 miles outside of Henderson lies Boulder City, home of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This small community preserves the charm of "small" town U.S.A. just minutes from the one of the most exciting cities in the world. Controlled growth and thoughtful planning make Boulder City an ideal choice for those seeking a hometown free from gaming.

Planned Communities you might choose the mountain communities located in west and southwest Las Vegas. Mountain's Edge, Summerlin and Centennial Hills are all neighborhood communities that offer amazing vistas and landscapes. Southern Highlands in southwest Las Vegas is one of the newest areas near the airport and the trendy "south" Strip. You might prefer more established communities in the heart of the city near the Strip and resort corridor in Paradise Valley. There are also beautiful communities in Henderson just south of Las Vegas featuring championship golf courses and country clubs such as Green Valley Ranch, MacDonald's Highlands and Seven Hills.