Fellow Perspectives
Fellow Perspectives
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Patrick Curry, Class of 2024
Current Title and Organization: Assistant Professor of Neurology, Associate Director of the EMG Lab, University of Rochester
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“I had wonderful mentors at URMC in the neuromuscular department - physicians, APPs, PTs, and EMG techs that were very willing to share their knowledge while I was a resident and fellow. They were always willing to answer my questions about clinical care or professional endeavors. I was drawn to a career in academic medicine after working with experts in the neuromuscular field and seeing their commitment to comprehensive care.”
One piece of advice: “Every day, I recommend sharing new information about a neuromuscular disease or therapy you learned about with your co-fellows and residents on rotation to help retain information.”
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Brianna Brun, Class of 2024
Current Title and Organization: Experimental Therapeutics Fellow & Clinical Instructor, University of Rochester.
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“Exposure to gene therapy and multiple ongoing research trials in pediatric Neuromuscular medicine.”
One piece of advice: “Look ahead at the schedule to make sure you optimize the number of children you see (if child neurology). Read about your patients' diagnoses.”
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Catherine Craven, Class of 2024
Current Title and Organization: Attending Physician, Neurologist, Rochester Regional Health
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“ Made me really appreciate the local area and I made friends and colleagues that I still speak with and confer on difficult cases.”
One piece of advice: “Your attendings are an amazing resource, learn from them as much as you can; a lot of what they teach you will stick with you and help build your foundation as you move into independent practice.”
Chelsea Zale, Class of 2021
Current Title and Organization: Neuromuscular Specialist, University of San Diego, California
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“I had a wonderful experience at the University of Rochester and really learned so much from all of the very experienced neuromuscular physicians and continue to use the knowledge I learned there every day.”
One piece of advice: “Do not be afraid to ask questions.”
Joseph Duong, Class of 2020
Current Title and Organization: Director of ALS Clinic, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“ The training that I received during my neuromuscular medicine fellowship at URMC was top notch. I often reflect on the lessons that I learned at URMC while running my practice and/or caring for my patients. Perhaps the two people that have the most impact on the way that I practice today are Dr. Logigian and Dr. Ciafaloni because I run a busy EMG lab, and I have a lot of myasthenia patients.”
One piece of advice: “ Listen and learn.”
Geetha Kanakeswaran, Class of 2020
Current Title and Organization: Physician at DocCare
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“The best academic experience of my life. The attendings I worked with in the Neuromuscular Department are elite physicians. I am honored that I was able to learn from them.”
One piece of advice: “Try to get as much exposure and ask questions about topics that are not your strengths.”
Simona Treidler, Class of 2018
Current Title and Organization: Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Stony Brook University, New York
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“My training at URMC was the best I could have gotten. I worked and learned from an amazing group of physicians and scientists. I am so grateful I followed Professor Griggs advise and came for neuromuscular medicine fellowship at URMC.”
One piece of advice: “Take the best of it! URMC is a wonderful place to learn medicine.”
Aravindhan Veerapandiyan, Class of 2018
Current Title and Organization: Associate Professor of Pediatrics University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Pediatric Neurologist Director, Comprehensive Neuromuscular Program Director, PPMD Certified Duchenne Care Center Co-Director, MDA Pediatric Care Center Co-Director, Childhood Post-infectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy Center of Excellence Arkansas Children's Hospital
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“The training and mentorship from the program faculty.”
One piece of advice: “Best program in the country for pediatric neuromuscular fellowship.”
James Wymer, Class of 1995
Current Title and Organization: Chief Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Florida
What experiences or moments from your time at The University of Rochester Medical Center have helped shape your career or life path?
“ The training provided an incredible platform for a lifetime of science, research teaching, and growth as a clinician scientist.”
One piece of advice: “ Choose what you love and pursue it.”