USCE/Elective/Externship/Counseling

U.S. Clinical Experience with Falcon Advanced Neurology & Epilepsy Freedom Center in Orlando, FL, USA.

At Falcon Advanced Neurology (FAN) in Orlando Florida USA, we provide comprehensive and exceptional neurology clinical experience under the guidance of triple board certified neurologist Dr. Jaivir S. Rathore, MD, FAES, who is trained at some of the top medical centers in the US; including The Johns Hopkins and The Cleveland Clinic and published in a Harvard journal as a lead author on an NIH funded study, who also serves on the reviewer’s panel of the official journals of the American Academy of Neurology, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (UK) and The Indian Academy of Neurology. Dr. Rathore is the current Co-Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America’s Florida Chapter.

With Dr. Rathore’s extensive experience as a former Chief Epilepsy Fellow and adjunct teaching faculty at the Johns Hopkins Neurology Residency Program in Baltimore, Maryland US; and currently the Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Medicine and FAN Site Director, UCF-HCA GME Consortium Neurology Residency Program in Orlando FL, USA, we create educational equality by arranging U.S. clinical experience (USCE/Elective) for international medical graduates (IMGs) and medical students. Dr. Rathore himself being an IMG believes that IMGs play an important part in improving the U.S. healthcare system and global health at large.

Clinical experiences are essential for those pursuing a career in U.S. healthcare. These real-world experiences can cultivate valuable medical, professional, and communication skills. Such educational opportunities can also provide clinical knowledge and skills that may be useful when taking the USMLE Step 2 CK, OET and Step 3.

The clinical experiences are flexible and can be 4 to 8 weeks of Neurology Pre-Residency Training (NPRT) program with an option of non-accredited Falcon Epilepsy Mini-Fellowship (FEMF) of 3 months. We can work with you to create a longer experience should you need one. Our clinical experiences are offered year-round at our two locations in Orlando and The Villages Florida U.S. This is a comprehensive neurology clinical experience with special emphasis on epilepsy including one week of inpatient rotation in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) with training on EEG reading, interpretation, polysomnography at our American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited Sleep Center. Trainees will get exposure to various clinic-based procedures including but not limited to trigger point injections, nerve blocks, lumbar punctures, Anti-CGRP injections for migraine treatment, Botox for chronic migraines and dystonia/spasticity, computer based comprehensive neurocognitive assessments. The rotations at our clinic in The Villages (The largest retirement community in the world) provides a unique experience of geriatric neurology.

FAN is “Care Connected” with prestigious Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL. The trainees will get to attend weekly (every Thursday morning) an hour of epilepsy surgery case conferences. Trainees also get to attend periodic virtual didactics including journal clubs etc. held at some of the most prestigious U.S. institutions such as Yale Universities, George Washington University etc.

Dr. Jaivir Rathore is a lead author on an NIH funded Harvard published landmark paper  which is cited several times and included in the AAN guideline Epilepsy Update 2017: Quality Measurement Set.

Dr. Rathore serves on the reviewer’s board of the official journals of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) of Edinburgh UK and The Indian Academy of Neurology. He is also Editorial Board member for the journal Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology.

During FAN USCE/Elective trainees may also get research opportunities including case reports/series, literature review and most notably opportunity to co-review scientific papers for AAN, RCP Edinburgh or Indian Academy of Neurology journals. Outstanding candidates may be selected for the Falcon Epilepsy Mini-Fellowship (FEMF).

To find out how you can secure a clinical experience with us, continue reading below. Applying for a US Clinical Experience:

1. Eligibility

The international medical students and graduates (IMGs) are eligible for clinical experiences with FAN. Current medical students are eligible for hands-on clinical neurology elective. Medical school graduates who wish to do hands-on clinical experience of Neurology Pre-Residency Training (NPRT) program are expected (not mandatory) to have passed USMLE Step 1. Those who wish to do the coveted Epilepsy Mini-Fellowship with potential Mayo Clinic rotation, must have completed the NPRT program of at least 2 months duration at FAN.

2. Submit an Application

Once you find a clinical experience that meets your need and interests, simply decide on the rotation start date/month and the type of experience you are applying to (i.e., Pre-med shadowing/observership, medical student elective or NPRT). Once you have decided the rotation type and time, email your request to center admin at: [email protected] with your updated CV, a less than one-page personal statement as to why you want to do this neurology rotation. Also email your vaccine record including Covid-19, Flu, and TB test must be negative. We would also need proof of a valid US visa/Green Card/Citizenship etc.

3. Await Approval

Once you have emailed your application, it will be processed and you will receive a notification if you have been accepted in as little as 3 to 5 business days. If accepted you will be notified via email. This email will include instructions on how to reserve your seat and begin the enrollment process.

4. Reserving a Clinical Experience

The total tuition fee for the clinical rotation is US $1500/month (excluding any bank wire transfer fee). Once accepted into your clinical experience, you’ll be asked to submit the full payment at least 30 days before the program start date. We do not accept partial payments at this time.

5. Falcon Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on candidate performance during the two-month NPRT program who wishes to do and are selected for the Epilepsy Mini-Fellowship, FAN may offer scholarship to eligible outstanding candidates by waiving 100% of the tuition fee worth $4500.

6. Visa Assistance and Logistics

Should you need a letter for procuring a U.S visa, there is an additional documentation fee of $250. Such visa assistance letters are only provided after the clinical rotation fee is paid in full and all pertinent documents are received and accepted.

Depending on the type of experience you reserve, you may need to find housing, and explore transportation options. If requested; FAN may provide complimentary transportation to some of the candidates based on availability. We will also provide suggestions on these items, making planning your experience even easier.

7. Certificate of Training and Letters of Recommendation

At successful completion of the clinical training program, a certificate of completion will be provided on the last day of rotation. If requested; a letter of recommendation may be provided either to the candidate or if the right to view is waived, directly to the residency program. One LoR is complementary, if more letters are requested there is an additional documentation fee.

8. Residency Application and Interview Guidance

If the rotating person is planning to apply for US residency programs and requests assistance, that may be provided including but not limited to help with personal statement, networking, interview tips, pre and post-match strategies etc.

9. USMLE Neurology Career Counseling

Expert and timely guidance can make a huge difference in someone matching to their desired specialty or going unmatched despite your best efforts. 

If you wish to have your CV reviewed and get expert guidance as career counseling, you may register for it by emailing your CV to [email protected], the counseling fee is $500 for a total professional time of 60 mins which can be split into two sessions of 30 mins each during which your CV will be reviewed in depth and pertinent expert guidance will be given. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

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