International Observership Program Grows in 2022

Michael E. Ivan, MD, FAANS | Ricardo Komotar, MD, FAANS | Brian Nahed, MD, FAANS | September, 2021

CNS Foundation Innovative Seed Grant has recently approved the: CNS Foundation/Harvard-Massachusetts General Neurosurgery International Observership Program (IOP) which will be accepting application in Fall 2021.  One selected candidate will spend three months in Boston, Massachusetts participating in the pilot IOP offered by the CNS Foundation at Harvard-Massachusetts General. This experience will be led by Brian V. Nahed, MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School. The recipient will participate in a highly curated series of general neurosurgery educational opportunities over three months. The award includes:

  • Weekly course work at the Harvard Global Health Institute
  • In-person clinical training with Dr. Brian V. Nahed and team
  • $20,000 award for living and travel and all expenses related to IOP
  • 12 weeks, in-person experience in Boston, Massachusetts

Eligible Applicant Pool

  • Open to faculty and chief residents/fellows
  • Must speak conversational English
  • Must apply on CNSF website via portal managed by CNSF staff
  • Not available to United States citizens and foreign nationals residing in United States within twelve (12) months of application window.
  • Open to applicants worldwide; priority given to applicants currently residing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries as defined by the World Bank.

The AANS/CNS Tumor Section, in conjunction with the CNS Foundation, is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual International Observership Program (IOP) at the University of Miami, which will provide an Argentinean/Uruguayan neurosurgeon the opportunity to participate as an observer for three months at the University of Miami in the division of surgical neurooncology under the supervision of Dr. Ricardo Komotar, Dr. Michael E. Ivan, and Dr. Ashish Shah.  The rotation focuses on all tumors of the central nervous system, with participation in clinic, conferences, surgery, and consultations.  An announcement for applications will be accepted October 4, 2021 thru November 6, 2021.

The rotation will be in the Fall/Winter of 2022 and consists of a scholarship/grant of $20,000 US (including air travel, accommodations and expenses during the observership).  Requirements include:

  • Must be 35 years of age or younger
  • Currently limited to individuals currently residing in Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina
  • Final year of residency, chief resident, or up to two years post-residency
  • Recommendation letter from Director of candidate’s residency program
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Description of project on Basic or Clinical Research in the field of neurooncology.

Each observer will be required to provide a monthly report of activities highlighting the most significant/relevant learning during the observership/apprenticeship.  The observer will also write a paper on the experience during the observership for publication in the Revista Argentina de Neurocirugia.  The observer will also present the results of their clinical investigation project at SNOLA.

For more information visit https://foundation.cns.org/initiatives/international-philanthropy or email CJohnson@CNS.org.