Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis
The Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at the Department of Neurology of Northwestern University and Feinberg School of Medicine is a one-year subspecialty clinical program. The program is designed to train a PGY5 fellow in the comprehensive care of patients with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory disorders such as transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, neuro-sarcoidosis, MOG-associated demyelination, neuromyelitis optica, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM), CNS vasculitis, autoimmune encephalitis, paraneoplastic disorders, as well as neurological complications of rheumatological disorders such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren’s, Behçet's, and others.
During their subspecialty rotations, fellows have an opportunity to work with experts in neurologic infections, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-urology, autoimmune epilepsy, and neuro-otology.
Additional focus is placed on familiarizing the fellows with rehabilitation modalities utilized in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions. Fellows rotate in the orthotics clinic, spasticity clinic and work side-by-side with physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
The program also provides training in the care of patients with pediatric multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies.
The training plan is designed in accordance with the requirements of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) for its one-year clinical fellowship, the Fellowship Core Curriculum Recommendations by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Multiple Sclerosis Section, and the Northwestern University employment policies as well as with the particular career plan of the fellow. The Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship receives support from the NMSS and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is recognized as a Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence. This program participates in the San Francisco (SF) Match and requires all candidates to be registered with this program.
MS and Neuroimmunology Division Neuro-Infectious Disease and Global Neurology Division
Education
Didactic activities of the fellowship are structured based on the recommendations of the AAN Consensus Curriculum for Fellowship Training in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and will take place on a weekly basis. Formal didactic teaching will include topic seminars by our faculty or guest speakers on a broad range of multiple sclerosis topics, including disease etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, related inflammatory, and demyelinating diseases. The fellow will be scheduled to lead presentations of clinical cases of significant educational value, important publications, and updates from multiple sclerosis scientific meetings at the departmental and section journal clubs.
The fellow also will be encouraged to independently participate in the monthly lecture series organized by the NMSS, AAN, and Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS). The program allows for one day (or two half days) per week free of other activities to allow for independent studies and research as well as four-week elective time to pursue training in specific areas of interest related or career goals. The fellow will have the opportunity to attend lectures and seminars available through the departments of Neurology, Radiology, Rheumatology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, and Pathology during the course of their fellowship.
Research
The fellow will be encouraged to participate in clinical research and will be expected to complete an independent research project by the end of the training, with the goal of presentation at a national meeting. The fellow will be mentored in planning and conducting research, encouraged and assisted in preparing presentations, posters, and publications and other scientific activities. In addition, the fellow can participate in clinical trials or translational research performed by the teaching faculty of the program. Northwestern University and the Department of Neurology also provide classes, courses and lectures in scientific methodology, medical statistics and epidemiology, which provide learning opportunities in clinical trial design and implementation.
Clinical Experience
The major focus of the fellowship training is on developing skills in expert clinical patient care. The fellow will be seeing patients in the Neurology Department Outpatient Facility Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis specialty clinics under the supervision of Elena Grebenciucova, Farrah Mateen, Roumen Balabanov, Bruce Cohen, Edith Graham, Shailee Shah, and Carolyn Bevan.These activities will allow for independent supervised assessment of new and follow-up patients. The fellow will also be involved in the neuroimmunology consult service at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This combination of activities will prepare the fellow to treat acute and chronic multiple sclerosis as well as other neuro-immunologic disorders with a full range of therapeutic modalities.
The Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship is a comprehensive multidisciplinary training program. The fellow will have the opportunity to work at the specialized Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitative Clinic at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, as well as at the pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Diseases Clinic at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital with Jennifer Rubin and Kavita Thakkar. In addition, the fellow will work with Igor Koralnik in the Department of Neurology's outpatient clinical facility seeing patients in his Neuroinfectious Disease Clinic. This activity will provide a unique opportunity to be exposed to neuroinfectious diseases. The training experience will further include rotations in the Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic with Neena Cherayil, the Neuro-Otology Clinic with Nicholas Hac, the Autoimmune Epilepsy Clinic with Stephen VanHaerents, and the Neuro-Urology Clinic with Diana Bowen.
Requirements
Candidates must have completed residency program in neurology accredited in the United States or Canada.
Residents are selected for the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship from eligible applicants based upon their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills and personal qualities. No discrimination is made based upon sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability or veteran status. Approximately half of the eligible applicants are invited for personal interviews.
How to Apply
We participate in the electronic San Francisco Match (Program ID is PR09181) and all candidates must register with the SF Match in order to submit a rank list. Applications are now being accepted for 2027 positions, and interviews are held in January 2026.
Please collect the following documents and submit to the SF Match Portal:
- Three letters of recommendation (one should be from your neurology residency program director) and their contact information
- Personal statement
- Medical school transcript
- Copy of official USMLE Step/Scores I, II & III
- Valid ECFMG certificate is required if you graduated from a medical school outside the U.S. or Canada
Please direct questions to neurologyfellowships@nm.org or elena.grebenciucova@northwestern.edu.
Why Northwestern?
Housestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago.
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Fellow Perspectives
Gina Perez-Giraldo, Class of 2023
"This program has given me extensive academic training, our weekly Neuroimmunology conferences have made me knowledgeable, and the exposure to patient care is abundant and diverse, which has allowed me to feel comfortable with complex Neuroimmunology cases."
Edith Graham, Class of 2021
"At Northwestern, I have a sense of being a part of something great. The opportunity for personal and career growth here is immense. I love being able to collaborate with multiple departments and drop into various clinics. All of the attendings are super welcoming. As a fellow, I get to take part in clinical trials for MS treatments and discuss interesting cases every week at our neuroimmunology conference."
Natalia Gonzalez, Class of 2023
"I'm forever thankful for my MS & Neuroimmunology fellowship at Northwestern. In this year, I was exposed to a wide variety of cases, and I gained a solid foundation in MS care and other less common neuroimmunological diseases. The dedicated faculty provided insightful daily discussions, shaping my knowledge and experience for a successful career as a neuroimmunologist. Furthermore, they fostered a welcoming environment, demonstrated genuine care for my growth, and were highly supportive of research. I will carry this invaluable knowledge with me, enriching my ongoing journey in the field."
Current Fellows
Hannah Kopinsky, MD
Dr. Hannah Kopinsky is a current Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis fellow for the academic year 2025-2026. Prior to her McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University fellowship appointment, Dr. Kopinsky attended Wayne State University for medical school and completed residency at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. In her free time, Dr. Kopinsky enjoys maintaining a balanced lifestyle through exercise, cooking, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
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Elena Grebenciucova, MD
Fellowship Program Director, Neurommunology/Multiple Sclerosis
Erica Nielsen
Fellowship Coordinator
epilepsy-neurophysiology, ms-neuro-immunology, neuro-infectious-disease-global-health, neuromuscular-disease, neuro-oncology, sleep-medicine
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