About the vascular neurology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center
The Vascular Neurology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center in Boston is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program focused on advanced stroke and cerebrovascular care, as well as clinical research, education and quality improvement.
Fellows receive broad, balanced training that includes:
- Acute stroke management and endovascular therapies
- Neurocritical care and secondary stroke prevention
- Perioperative stroke risk assessment
- Acute and long-term post-stroke care
- Young adult stroke and survivorship
- Telestroke and neurosonology
- Stroke recovery, rehabilitation, and pediatric stroke
The program manages more than 400 stroke admissions each year and includes a dedicated inpatient consultation service and outpatient practice. This volume and case mix support progressive responsibility and prepare fellows for independent practice across a wide range of care settings. The program is known for innovative stroke care, including the Late Presenter Thrombolysis protocol (4.5–24 hours), SEASONINGS pathway, SAYA program, and a multidisciplinary PFO clinic.
One fellowship position is offered each year for a 12-month training period. The fellowship participates in the NRMP Match.
Our fellowship history +milestones
Our Vascular Neurology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center has a rich history of innovation and excellence in stroke care:
- 1796: Tufts Medical Center was founded by Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, becoming the first permanent medical facility in New England and one of the earliest in the United States.
- 1814: The center became the first to assign nurses to care for people in need.
- 2011: Vascular Neurology Fellowship established and received ACGME accreditation under Program Director Dr. David Thaler.
- 2015: Launch of the Stroke and Young Adults (SAYA) Program.
- 2017: Dedicated stroke consultation service created; later expanded to the Stroke & Emergency Consult Service with multiple attending neurologists rotating weekday coverage.
- 2018: Certified as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.
- 2019: Multidisciplinary PFO clinic established to support coordinated stroke care.
- 2020: Late Presenter Thrombolysis protocol developed, first and only program of its kind in Massachusetts.
- 2020: SEASONINGS pathway introduced for patients with acute ischemic stroke and dysphagia.
- 2022: Fellowship curriculum redesigned under Program Director Dr. Emiliya Melkumova.
- 2025: Stroke Service established, providing 24/7 inpatient and consult coverage by board-certified neurologists.