BIM Faculty.

Brain Injury Fellowship Program

Our mission is to provide comprehensive care in brain injury medicine and rehabilitation care to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for the Bluegrass Region and beyond.

BIM Fellowship Program Mission Statement
UK Chandler and Cardinal Hill

Who We Are

The University of Kentucky Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship Program offers a comprehensive curriculum in Brain Injury Medicine that addresses the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of individuals with brain injury. Our one-year program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) of the American Medical Association, and fellows are accepted through the National Residency Match Program.

The UK BIM Fellowship program is housed within Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, located just 10 minutes from the University of Kentucky’s central campus, and is the primary educational site for PMR and the Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship. With 232 beds, two therapeutic aquatic pools, and with access to advanced therapy technologies, this freestanding Rehab Hospital is among the largest in the country (and growing).

In addition to inpatient services at Cardinal Hill, it also houses our UK PMR Outpatient Clinic and the UK Outpatient Therapy Clinic, creating a seamless experience for all rehab patients.

Find Your Match.

Comprehensive Curriculum

 

The program is designed to train the fellow to become a trusted physician capable of entering autonomous practice in Brain Injury Medicine, and to provide an additional year of training beyond residency to further develop these skills. The fellow will learn the facets of both inpatient and outpatient brain injury physiatry across the spectrum of brain injury severity, including medical, physical, psychosocial, and vocational disabilities, as well as complications for each patient. The program will prepare the fellow for success in the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) Brain Injury Medicine (BIM) subspecialty examination. 

  • At least three (3) months of acute inpatient rehabilitation
  • Three (3) months of outpatient clinical rehabilitation
  • Three (3) months of split elective / research
  • 1-2 months of inpatient consultation.
  • Weekly Continuity Clinic.
  • Weekly Didactics.
     
Didactics

 Brain Injury medicine didactics are held once a week at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital on Friday from 12:00 - 1:00 pm and include a fellow-specific didactic course covering topics from textbooks and scholastic literature, tailored to individual needs and tracks. The fellow will also attend any relevant Chief Rounds as determined by the Program Director and is excused from all clinical duties to attend the lectures, as this time is protected.

Research

During the year, fellows are expected to participate in scholarly activities during dedicated research blocks, including completion of a Quality Improvement (QI) project and any optional additional research. 

Continuity Clinic

Fellows will be responsible for direct patient care, orders, and documentation during the continuity clinic under the direct supervision of their assigned faculty.

Training Locations
 

  • Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital (main)
  • University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Sousley Campus

Reasons to Choose UK

 

Customizable Year

 

  • High-volume, high-acuity brain injury training.
    • Level 1 Adult & Pediatric trauma
    • DOC
    • Stroke
    • Neuro ICU
    • Rehab Continuum
  • Comprehensive Care:
    • Prevention
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Management
    • Rural and urban patient populations.

 

Educational Resources

 

  • Two (2) paid brain injury medicine-related textbooks, along with an annual educational stipend.
  • Mentorship
  • Customized didactic program
  • Clinical rotations
  • High-volume subspecialty exposure
  • Dedicated office space

 

Career and Professional Resources

 

  • Two (2) paid conferences
    • Submission/presentation of research is strongly encouraged.
  • Three (3) electives of choice
    • Fully customized to individual career goals.
  • UK GME-led programs for professional development (optional).
  • Protected time off for career and research initiatives.

Next Steps

Find Your Match.

The University of Kentucky Brain Injury Fellowship program offers a 1-year program that aims to provide a rewarding and comprehensive curriculum to support our fellows in brain injury medicine.

Our program currently offers one (1) PGY-5 position 2026-2027 academic year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), and all applications are submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Once submitted, applications are reviewed, and candidates are selected for an interview based on a range of factors and qualities. We welcome all interested parties to apply or reach out with questions. 

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