Neuroendovascular Fellowship

The Neuroendovascular surgery fellowship offered through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wis., is a joint program between the Departments of Radiology and Neurological Surgery under the direction of Program Co-Directors Beverly Aagaard Kienitz, MD, and David Niemann, MD. Faculty/clinical staff include Azam Ahmed, MD, and Jacob McGrath, PA-C.

Fellowship Information

Join one of the most established and advanced CAST-accredited cerebrovascular centers in the Midwest, with a rich history in the field as the second institution in the world to coil cerebral aneurysms (1991). Our experienced faculty offer the entire array of treatments for vascular disease of the CNS state-of-the-art clinical and research equipment complement innovative imaging protocols in technologically advanced procedures.

From July 2020 to July 2022, 389 intracranial aneurysms were treated at University Hospital (232 treated endovascularly), 115 craniotomies for AVM/AVF resection (60 arteriovenous malformations or arteriovenous fistulas embolization procedures) and 1309 diagnostic-only angiograms (diagnostic only cerebral and spinal angiograms). UW Health’s Neuroendovascular Surgery program continues to innovate and lead as one of the first certified comprehensive stroke centers in the U.S., performing 305 acute ischemic stroke thrombectomies from 2020 to ’22.

  • Number of fellows: One fellow per year
  • Length of program: One year
  • Elective opportunities: Currently all rotations at UW School of Medicine and Public Health (includes University Hospital and American Family Children’s Hospital) and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.
  • Number of graduates: 15
  • License/certification: Wisconsin medical license, board-eligible or certified neurosurgeon or radiologist

Qualifications

  • MD or DO with board eligibility/board certification in Diagnostic Radiology or Neurosurgery
  • Eligible to obtain a Wisconsin medical license and be credentialed at the University of Wisconsin
  • Completion of an ACGME-accredited Neurosurgery residency or completion of an ACGME-accredited Radiology residency, plus one full year of an ACGME-accredited diagnostic neuroradiology fellowship
  • Must be able to complete Wisconsin Caregiver Law requirements

Clinical Information

The fellow’s patient mix is 80 percent adult patients and 20 percent pediatric cases, in all modalities and in the following clinical settings:

Imaging Equipment

American Family Children’s Hospital

  • Multispecialty Hybrid OR Siemens Artis Q.zen biplane imaging system

University Hospital

  • Full suite of advanced ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/MRI and PET/CT devices
  • Pre-clinical scanners, including micro CT, micro PET/CT, angiography units and a 4.7 T small-bore MRI system
  • Clinical scanners, including 64-slice dual energy CT, 1.5 T and 3 T MRI, PET/CT, PET/MRI, and 192-channel and 64-channel ultrasound
  • A Siemens Artis zee biplane imaging system outside of OR (currently a dedicated COVID-19 room and acute stroke treatment room)
  • Two hybrid neuroendovascular/neurosurgery operating rooms in main OR, fully functional for neuroendovascular, right/left craniotomy or combination open craniotomy and endovascular cases
    • OR 10: Siemens Artis icono biplane (In February 2020, University Hospital was the first U.S. facility to install the Artis icono biplane imaging system)
    • OR 11: Siemens Artis Q biplane

William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

  • Siemens Artis zee biplane imaging system

Research

Current clinical trials

There are ample opportunities and resources for imaging research, including:

  • Access to the Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research (WIMR), a unique multispecialty collaborative facility with laboratories for developing and producing contrast agents and isotopes (including a cyclotron)
  • Image-guided ablation and radiation facilities
  • A variety of other research laboratories including an animal surgery center and elastography and radiofrequency laboratories
  • A dedicated Siemens biplane for neuroendovascular research

Our Remarkable Community

Learn more about Madison

Contact Information

For more information, please email fellowshipapplications@neurosurgery.wisc.edu