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

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

At DocJ's Advanced Neurology in Orlando Florida USA, we provide comprehensive and exceptional hands-on neurology clinical experience under the guidance of triple board certified neurologist Dr. Jaivir S. Rathore, MD, FAES, FAAN 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). 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) College of Medicine and 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 Pre-Residency Training (PRT) program primarily in neurology but also covering Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery and Radiology. Our clinical experiences are offered year-round at our two locations in Orlando and The Villages Florida U.S. During this clinical rotation, there is special emphasis on epilepsy including 1 to 2 weeks of inpatient rotation in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) with hands-on training on EEG electrodes placement, removal, EEG reading and interpretation. 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.

DocJ's is “Care Connected” with the prestigious Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL. The trainees will get to attend weekly (every Thursday morning) an hour of epilepsy neurosurgery 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) and The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) of Edinburgh UK.

During DocJ's 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 Neurology journals.

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) from VSLO and/or Non-VSLO medical schools are eligible for clinical experiences at DocJ's Advanced Neurology-University of Central Florida affiliated medical center. Current medical students are eligible for hands-on clinical neurology elective. Medical school graduates who wish to do hands-on clinical experience of Pre-Residency Training (NPRT) program are expected (not mandatory) to have passed USMLE Step 1, must have Basic Life Support-CPR certificate, must be in good standing at their medical college.

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 subject line "USCE Rotation Request" with your updated CV, a less than one-page personal statement as to why you want to do this neurology rotation, Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, your vaccine record including Covid-19, Flu, and TB test must be negative. Please furnish duly filled and attested AAMC standardized immunization form available at: https://www.aamc.org/media/23441/download. 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 & Accommodation

Once accepted into your clinical experience, you’ll be asked to submit the full tuition fee and housing rental fee payment at least 30 days before the program start date. We do not accept partial payments at this time. Housing is offered at the centers. Although you are free to stay outside the center at a place of your choice but you will be responsible for transportation if you stay outside the centers.

5. Visa Assistance and Logistics

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

6. 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 waived letter of recommendation may be provided directly (not to the candidate) to the residency program through ERAS application or any other institutions as requested. One LoR is complementary, if more letters are requested there is an additional documentation fee per LoR.

7. Residency Application and Interview Guidance

Students doing 2 months of NPRT program, will be offered exclusive personal expert counselling on US residency programs application process, IMG friendly program list, help with personal statement, networking, volunteering opportunities, interview preparation tips, pre and post-match strategies etc which is expected to increase their chances of matching in current extremely competitive residency scenario.

8. 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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