Groundbreaking new fellowship expands brain and spine care for the Valley's growing population

Groundbreaking new fellowship expands brain and spine care for the Valley's growing population

Community Health System is now offering an exciting new opportunity for physician assistants wanting a career in neurosciences.

The Community Neurosciences Institute PA Fellowship provides physician assistants (PAs) with real-world practice in specialized neuroscience fields, including:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Neurocritical care
• Neurohospitalistmedicine

The Valley's only comprehensive neurosciences fellowship

Jeff Brown, Director of Advanced Practice at Community Neurosciences Institute, says Community's fellowship is groundbreaking because it opens the door to advanced, structured training in a specialty that's historically been underrepresented for PAs.

"Neurosurgery and neurology are not often considered 'PA-friendly' due to limited training pathways and job availability," said Brown.

In the U.S., there are around 16 programs that are specifically related to neurology, neurosurgery or neurosciences disciplines.

Community Regional's Bob Smittcamp Family Neurosciences Institute has a high-volume case load and diverse subspecialties, creating a rare environment where PAs can thrive.

"The fellowship is designed with rolling admissions, starting one fellow every six months," Brown shared. "This model allows us to provide intensive, personalized mentorship while gradually expanding the program as capacity and need grow."

Why this is important to the Valley

The PA neuro fellowship expands access to high-quality neurological care for Valley residents. By training PAs to be highly skilled and confident in managing complex neuroscience patients, Community not only supports workforce development but increases care availability for the Central Valley's growing population.

"We have a pretty special opportunity here to train the next generation of PAs in a field that is notoriously challenging and, furthermore, show them what makes the Central Valley so unique," said Kelsey Zermeño, PA-C.

Providers who train within a specific health system or region are more likely to remain in that community post-graduation. "This means our fellowship not only builds talent, it helps retain it," said Brown.

"We're not just developing a training program," he added. "We're building a regional center of excellence and changing what's possible for both advanced practice providers and our patients.

"It has been incredible to be a part of building this program," said Zermeño. "I'm excited to see what we'll accomplish in the next years."

To learn more about the fellowship, contact NeuroPAFellowship@communitymedical.org.

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