POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Overview and Application Information
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical
Neuropsychology is a two-year postdoctoral specialty training program which includes
didactic, clinical, and research activities. The program is accredited by APA as a
Residency in the Specialty of Clinical Neuropsychology. The program conforms to the
Houston Conference Guidelines for Training in Clinical Neuropsychology. It is also a
postdoctoral member of APPIC. The program currently has three full-time postdoctoral
positions. Two Fellows are funded by OU Medical Center and one by the VA Medical
Center. The faculty includes seven neuropsychologists.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has two separately accredited
postdoctoral training programs for which there are a total of approximately 16
postdoctoral fellows. Both programs are accredited by the American Psychological
Association as residency programs. One program is a specialty program in clinical
neuropsychology (3 total neuropsychology positions). The other program is accredited
as a clinical psychology postdoctoral program. Emphasis areas for the clinical
psychology program include: Child and Pediatric Psychology, Geropsychology, Primary
Care, Health Psychology, Chronic Mental Illness and Combat Stress Recovery. A given
postdoctoral fellow in the second program will focus their training mainly in one of the
emphases areas. The two programs although separately accredited are closely
integrated. This current brochure will describe only the separately APA accredited
Neuropsychology Specialty Program. A complete description of the other separately
accredited postdoctoral training program can be found on the following web site:
http://www.oumedicine.com/body.cfm?id=3706
Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Information:
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Application Information
The Setting
Philosophy and Goals
Design of Fellowship Program
Training Settings
Postdoctoral Training Committee
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applicants must have completed all requirements of an APA-approved doctoral program
in psychology and a one-year clinical internship. Applications will also be accepted from
individuals who have completed all requirements of a university based APA-approved
program of postdoctoral education for retraining in clinical or counseling psychology.
The program must conform to the guidelines established by the APA Council of
Representatives. Applications may be considered from graduates from outside the
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United States or Canada, on a case-by-case basis. However, non-US citizens will not
be eligible to complete their second year of the neuropsychology fellowship at
the VA. However, they may be able to complete minor rotations at the VA as long
as their funding source remains with the OUHSC. The applicant and their program
must, in the view of our selection committee, meet criteria similar to those for APAapproved programs.
As a member of the APPCN, neuropsychology applicants must register with National
Matching Services, Inc. It is recommended applicants register with National Matching
Services by January 17 of the year the applicant wishes to apply. In addition to
registering with National Matching Inc., each applicant is asked to submit the following
in a single packet:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
a letter of interest, including career goals, and one copy
original and one completed copy of our program's application form;
original and one copy of a curriculum vitae containing background information,
academic and field experience;
three letters of recommendation, sealed with signature of the writer across the
flap:
an official transcript of all graduate academic work plus one copy of the official
graduate transcript (if copies are free);
if available, two copies of the completed standard APPIC form used when you
applied for internship, (If you did not complete the APPIC form when you applied
for internship, there is no need to include this form).
Doctoral Training Verification form, original and one copy.
two sample reports - two copies each. A selection committee will be reviewing
each application.
Usually, we interview at the International Neuropsychology Society (INS) annual
conference each year. We will contact applicants selected for interview at INS to set up
a mutually accepted time and date.
Send all application materials in a single packet by February 1 to:
Russell L. Adams, Ph.D. , ABPP-CN, CP
Director, Neuropsychology Fellowship Program
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
920 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Room WP-3440
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
Or
Post Office Box 26901, WP-3440
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126-0901 Phone: (405) 271-8001, ext. 47680
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THE SETTING
The fellowship program is offered through the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus, located at
920 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Consortium agencies include
OU Medical Center (Presbyterian Tower, Children's and Women’s Hospital and its
clinics) the Child Study Center, and Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. Consortium
agencies are located together in a large medical complex. A campus map is available
here. There are 7 full time campus clinical neuropsychologists who participate in our
program. In addition there are 2 volunteer, part-time, off campus Clinical
Neuropsychologists who participate. Five of these nine Neuropsychologists hold board
certification in Clinical Neuropsychology.
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has approximately 48 full-time
faculty members, including approximately 20 psychiatrists, 25 psychologists, and 3
psychiatric social workers. In addition, there are five part-time faculty, and other
supporting staff such as psychometrists, and psychiatric nurses. Faculty members from
other academic departments also teach or provide supervision. There are 17
psychologists in the Department of Pediatrics, and one psychologist in the Department
of Neurology. All psychologists are on campus and most in full time positions. All
together 48 on-site psychologists participate in one or both of our postdoctoral training
programs.
The educational programs of the department include the APA postdoctoral
neuropsychology specialty fellowship, a psychiatric residency, a predoctoral clinical
psychology internship, and an undergraduate medical education. The department offers
all students, whether they be psychology fellows, psychiatric residents, or medical
students, repeated and intense exposure to all the disciplines in the mental health field;
thus, the fellows will receive most of their supervision from neuropsychologists, as well
as some supervision from neurologists, other psychologists, and medical personnel.
PHILOSOPHY, ORIENTATION, and GOALS & OBJECTIVES
A.
Objectives of Training
Our program subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model. Science provides the
backbone for our clinical programs and activities. The majority of our faculty
members are involved in research projects in their clinical arenas. Much of the
fellow's clinical and research training takes place in the same setting. Fellows
have experiences in assessment, limited rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. Our
major goal is to prepare residents for the advanced practice of professional
psychology, with an emphasis in clinical neuropsychology.
B.
Clinical Orientation
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The theoretical orientation of the clinical training program is as diverse as that of
the various faculty members contributing to it. This diversity is reflected in the
specific settings and activities which comprise the training program. It is the goal
of the fellowship to provide fellows with a number of models of professional
activity to aid in their search for a professionally meaningful orientation or
framework. To that end, the psychology faculty is aware of and utilizes a variety
of techniques and approaches for assessing, understanding and effecting
behavioral change, as well as, for conducting research. Fellows are encouraged
to gain experience in these varied areas and approaches with the expectation
that some integration of assessment, theory, research, and practice will be
achieved by each fellow over the course of their program.
C.
Goals
Upon completion of the program, Adult focused neuropsychology fellows will:
i.
Demonstrate advanced skills in neuropsychological assessment primarily
with adults but with some exposure to children sufficient for independent
practice.
ii.
Demonstrate advanced skills in treatment with neuropsychology patients
sufficient for independent practice.
iii.
Demonstrate advanced skills in consultation with neuropsychological
populations sufficient for independent practice.
iv.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of etiologic mechanisms and
processes in neuropsychology.
v.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of research issues and methodologies
in neuropsychology.
vi.
Have sufficient training and experience to apply for licensure or
certification for independent practice of psychology in most states.
DESIGN OF THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology is designed to provide extensive
didactic training, clinical assessment, treatment experiences in neuropsychology, and in
research skills. Fellowship activities include both general and specific elements. Fellows
have the opportunity to choose certain clinical and research activities to fit with their
goals and interests which is implemented and determined by their training plan.
Additionally, fellows work closely with one or more faculty members to develop and
execute at least one research project each year.
Scope of the Fellowship Program
The fellowship program includes didactics which are common for fellows in all of the
emphasis areas as well as specific didactics for the Clinical Neuropsychology
Fellowship. The general didactics include: 1) the Postdoc Forum, a general seminar
which addresses common professional issues, ethics, licensure, and cultural diversity,
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and 2) the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Teaching Conference, which is the
Grand Rounds for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and is
attended by faculty and all trainee groups. It is our hope and expectation that having
some activities in common with other postdoctoral fellows in other emphasis areas will
forge collaborative relationships across areas and provide a social/learning network.
By the end of a two-year fellowship in clinical neuropsychology, fellows will have all the
formal course work and clinical experiences in neurosciences required by medical
students after four years of medical school.
The didactics specific to the Clinical Neuropsychology specialty program include* (by
year):
Year 1
1. Medical Neuroscience which is the medical neurosciences course for all OUHSC
first-year medical students. This class meets from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. daily and lasts
for nine weeks. There is a neuroscience lab experience associated with this
class.
2. Neuropsychology Case Conference (weekly for 1.5 hours)
3. Neurology Grand Rounds (about weekly for 1 hour)
4. Neurosurgery Grand Rounds (one per month for 1 hour)
Year 2
1. Clinical Neuroscience for second-year medical students (Human Illness Class).
This class covers most common neurological diseases.
2. Clerkship in Neurology (3-week full-time clerkship in Neurology). All
Neuropsychology postdoctoral Fellowship requirements are suspended during
this 3-week period. This rotation is currently required of all third year medical
students.
3. Neuropsychology Case Conference (weekly)
4. Neurology Grand Rounds (about weekly)
5. Neurosurgery Grand Rounds (one per month)
TRAINING SETTINGS
A fellow's primary training setting is based on the fellow's primary rotation selection: OU
Medical Center-Everett Tower, or VA Medical Center. Within each training setting, a
fellow may work with several different clinical neuropsychology supervisors for specified
periods of time. The specific activities, the time spent with each supervisor, and the
portion of a year spent in each setting are identified at the beginning of a year in the
Fellow's Training Plan (FTP), which is jointly composed by the fellow and a faculty
supervisor. For example, a neuropsychology fellow may spend ten (10) months of a
year in an adult oriented assessment setting and six (6) weeks in the other setting.
Briefer training experiences (e.g. 8-10 hours per week) for a portion of a year in a
different setting including pediatric neuropsychology may also be negotiated.
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*This general curricular content will remain the same in future years but the sequences of activities will change. The
whole medical student curriculum for all four years of medical school is currently evolving.
Opportunities for assessment, psychotherapy, and consultation exist within all major
training settings. The relative amount of each type of activity for each fellow is based
upon the fellow's prior experience and training needs. All Fellows will have some
experience in all three types of activities.
As indicated above, the fellowship consists of (a) clinical placements; (b) required and
elective seminars in clinical neuropsychology; and (c) research and other departmental
or related activities. The Neuropsychology training sites are as follows:
A.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Neuropsychology
Laboratory
This is a minimum of one-year program of intensive clinical neuropsychology
training. Primary supervisors are Russell L. Adams, Ph.D., ABPP-CN and James
G. Scott, Ph.D., ABPP-CN. Clinical Neuropsychology services are primarily
outpatient, but limited inpatient experiences are available. Populations include
primarily adults and older adolescents. Some pediatric neuropsychological
assessment experiences are available with Jim Scott through the Pediatric
Neuropsychology Laboratory. Typical referrals are obtained from physicians
within the University Medical Center and from the Oklahoma, North Texas, West
Missouri, and Arkansas areas. Fellows will also have ample opportunities to be
involved in civil forensic work (i.e., worker’s compensation, legal cases and
independent medical exams, etc.). Patient populations include neuropsychiatric
disorders, known and suspected dementias of various types (Alzheimer’s,
Vascular, Frontal Temporal), mild cognitive impairment, stroke, traumatic brain
injury, postconcussive syndromes, toxic exposure, chronic pain, kidney donor
evaluations pre- and post-surgical evaluations for patients with medically
intractable epilepsy, pre- and post-surgical evaluations for patients undergoing
Deep Brain Stimulator, and pre- and post-surgical evaluations for patients with
neoplasms. Experiences are designed to provide Fellows with a variety of clinical
and didactic exposures, with additional opportunities for supervision, teaching,
and administrative experience. Fellows may have the opportunity of supervising
practicum students and neuropsychology interns from the OUHSC APA
accredited psychology internship program. Fellows will have the opportunity to
collaborate with Drs. Adams and Scott on research using the University of
Oklahoma Neuropsychology Database. A research study of publishable quality
is completed each year.
B.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is geographically a
part of the OU Medical Center and most of the staff at the VAMC are affiliated
with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. The Neuropsychology Service
is part of the Psychology Service. Fellows generally complete a one-year
program of intensive clinical neuropsychology training at the VAMC, although
minor rotations (part-time placements) may be possible (e.g. for non-US
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citizens). The primary supervisors are Bill Ruwe, Psy.D., Ph.D. and John Linck,
Ph.D., ABPP-CN. The training experience with the VAMC Clinical
Neuopsychology Service includes a mixture of outpatient and inpatient
neuropsychological evaluations (approximately 60-40%). Bill Leber, Ph.D, who is
a neuropsychologist and also Chief of the VA Psychology Service, may provide
some limited supervision (e.g., continued supervision of the stroke recovery
group). Populations include primarily adult males, although approximately 1015% of the referrals are for female veterans. Typical referral sources for the
Clinical Neuropsychology Service include: Mental Health (including both
psychology and psychiatry), Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OEF/OIF) polytrauma clinic, Persian Gulf Registry, and neuroscience
services within the VAMC system. Fellows are valued members of the VAMCOKC OEF/OIF polytrauma treatment team, spinal injury program, and stroke
rehabilitation program. Patient populations include neuropsychiatric disorders,
known and suspected dementias (including Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal
dementia, and a variety of other types of dementias), stroke, multiple sclerosis,
traumatic brain injury, individuals with spinal cord injuries, toxic exposure, chronic
pain, and pre- and post-surgical evaluations are provided for individuals with
neoplasms. Experiences are designed to provide Fellows with a variety of clinical
and didactic exposures, with additional opportunities for supervising practicum
students and psychology interns who are part of the APA-approved OUHSC
psychology internship program. Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate
on a variety of research projects. Supervision opportunity depends of course on
the number of Interns and/or practicum students who chose the rotation.
C.
Department of Pediatrics
A Pediatric Neuropsychology minor elective experience is available in the
Pediatric Department at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
This pediatric neuropsychology experience is an elective, one which is
negotiated with the neuropsychology fellow. For Fellows who elect to be
involved in this optional experience usually spend about 8 hours per week for a
three to four months working with children in the Department of Pediatrics. Minor
rotation opportunities are available at the Child Study Center (Section of
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics). The
majority of services are provided on an out-patient basis. The clinic provides
services to children and adolescents ages 2 through 18. The Neuropsychology
Clinic at the Child Study Center provides outpatient tertiary services to individuals
with known or suspected developmental or disruptive behavioral disorders that
affects their learning, attention/activity level, academic or emotional functioning.
This includes children with a history of seizures, Tourette’s syndrome, fetal
substance exposure, brain malformations, ADHD, learning disabilities, autism,
Asperger’s, complex language disorders, and/or disruptive behavior disorders,
etc. Limited opportunities for forensic evaluation are available. The patient
population represents a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic
diversity.
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Training Plan and Evaluation Procedures
The majority of didactic, research, and clinical activities are within the Clinical
Neuropsychology specialty area. The Fellow, working with a faculty supervisor,
develops a Training Plan within the first month of the fellowship. The Neuropsychology
Training Director must approve this plan. The sections of the Training Plan correspond
to the list of general goals for the program. Within each general goal, the track-specific
goals are delineated. The Fellow's Training Plan (FTP) specifies clinical activities for the
year, the sites where these will take place, and the duration of training at each site.
Specialty track-specific didactics, including seminars, conferences and directed
readings, are listed. The topic area and a timeline for the Fellow's research are also
specified.
Postdoctoral Training Committee
This committee is composed of all of the psychologists who have direct contact with the
postdoctoral fellows. The Chairman of the Committee is the Director of the Postdoctoral
Training Program, and the Executive Subcommittee consists of the Director, the VA
Training Director, and the directors of the various emphasis areas. The training
committee oversees the various programs, discusses policies related to the program,
and makes recommendations to the Director, who has ultimate responsibility for the
program. Each specialty or emphasis area has a faculty committee who addresses the
specifics of training within that area.
Postdoctoral Stipends, Benefits, and Support
In 2011-2012 stipends vary from $38,245 - $41,070 depending on emphasis area and
funding source. Health insurance is provided free of additional charge for all non-VA
positions. VA trainees will have their health insurance through the VA. Professional
liability insurance is required and is provided for the non-VA trainees. Fellows receive
15 days of vacation leave which includes 5 days for administrative leave.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, the capital of the state, is a Sunbelt city with approximately one million
people in the metropolitan area. An interesting short description of Oklahoma City can
be found on the following website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEi8ylWACs
Oklahoma City boasts a pleasant climate with four distinct seasons, a low cost of living,
and an abundance of diverse cultural opportunities. The “cost of living hotlink,”
http://www.homefair.com, gives a comparison between any two major cities in the
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United States. We encourage all applicants to go to this link and compare Oklahoma
City’s cost of living with that of other cities where they may be applying. You will likely
be pleasantly surprised.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra presents both classic and pop series with
internationally renowned guest artists. Repertory companies offer a variety of stage
presentations each season, and Ballet Oklahoma presents a popular and exciting series
of performances as well.
If you enjoy the outdoors, Oklahoma City is the place to be. There are a multitude of
parks, tennis courts, and golf courses, including Oak Tree Golf and Country Club, the
site of a previous PGA Championship. Several lakes offer excellent opportunities for
sailing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. Oklahoma City is also home to
Frontier City and White Water theme parks, and the Oklahoma City Zoo (one of the
country's best "natural setting" zoos). Other attractions include the widely recognized
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; the beautiful Myriad Gardens/Crystal
Bridge; the Omnidome Theater Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum, a unique
science and art attraction which includes the International Photography Hall of Fame,
Kirkpatrick Planetarium, and Science Museum of Oklahoma; the Oklahoma City
National Memorial; and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Oklahoma City hosts several festivals and fairs annually. The Festival of the Arts
displays the finest talents in visual, culinary, and performing arts, and has been
designated one of the top ten outdoor festivals in the United States. The Red Earth
festival is the largest national celebration of Native American culture, featuring the finest
Native American dancers and artists from the U.S. and Canada.
Oklahoma City is home to a number of sports teams: An NBA Team - Oklahoma City
Thunder; a minor league baseball team – the Oklahoma City Redhawks; and an arena
football league team– the Yard Dawgz.
You will find Oklahoma City a comfortable and affordable place to live, a desirable place
to work, and a fun place to enjoy. Educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities
abound. More importantly, you will discover the friendly and industrious people of
Oklahoma will make wonderful neighbors and colleagues.
POSTDOCTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM FACULTY IN
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Russell L. Adams, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is Director of the Postdoctoral Program and a
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is also Director of the
Neuropsychological Assessment Laboratory at OU Medical Center-Everett Tower and
provides clinical and research supervision for residents. His scholarly interests are
clinical neuropsychology, individual psychotherapy, and forensic neuropsychology.
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Jan L. Culbertson, Ph.D. is Professor of Pediatrics, and Clinical Professor of Director
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology at
the Child Study Center and provides clinical and research supervision for fellows. Her
scholarly interests are pediatric neuropsychology, neurodevelopmental disorders, and
forensic neuropsychology.
Herman Jones, Ph.D., ABN is a Professor in the Department of Neurology at the
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He provides supervision of Fellows
who seek supplemental Training Experiences in Intracarotid Amobarbital (WADA)
Testing as well as other inpatient neuropsychology services within the Department of
Neurology. His scholarly interests include epilepsy, delirium, traumatic brain injury,
cognitive rehabilitation, somatization disorders, and criminal forensic applications of
psychology and clinical neuropsychology. He is currently Associate Dean for Student
Affairs in the College of Medicine.
William R. Leber, Ph.D. is Chief of Psychology and past Director of Clinical
Neuropsychology at the VA Medical Center and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences. He supervises psychology fellows and interns in a Stroke Recovery Group
and a limited number of evaluations at the VA. He could also serve as a research
consultant with interests including dementia, Persian Gulf illnesses, and
neuropsychological aspects of alcoholism.
John Linck, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is a neuropsychologist at the VA Medical Center and
Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. His
clinical interests are in neurocognitive assessment of individuals with mild TBI,
dementia, and those with psychiatric illness. He is also interested in clinical supervision
of psychology fellows, interns, and practicum students at the VA. His research interests
primarily involve issues related to mild TBI.
Bill Ruwe, Psy.D., Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist and Director of Clinical
Neuropsychology at the VA Medical Center (VAMC). He also serves as a Clinical
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the
OUHSC. His clinical interests are in the neuropsychological assessment of a variety of
different clinical populations, as well as individual and group psychotherapy of patients
with neurologic illness. He is involved in clinical supervision of psychology fellows,
interns, and practicum students at the VAMC. Dr. Ruwe has a number of research
interests, including the neurocognitive deficits associated with multiple sclerosis,
exposure to toxic substances, and the sequelae associated with concussive injuries or
mild traumatic brain injuries. In addition, he is interested in the use of neurofeedback in
the treatment of PTSD, mild TBI, and attentional disorders.
James G. Scott, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.
He is Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology Assessment Laboratory and Staff
Neuropsychologist in the Adult Neuropsychological Assessment Laboratory. His clinical
interests are in assessment of neurosurgical and neurological populations. He is
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involved in clinical and research supervision of postdoctoral fellows in neuropsychology.
He also lectures in the postdoctoral didactic series.
The off campus volunteer Clinical Neuropsychologists are:
Mickey Ozolins, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is a neuropsychologist in private practice in
Oklahoma City. She sees a wide variety of neuropsychological cases and also does
forensic neuropsychology.
Tresa Roebuck-Spencer, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is employed in a private hospital in the
Oklahoma City area. She also does research with Automated Neuropsychological
Assessment Metrics (ANAM) batteries.
For additional questions, please contact
Russell L. Adams, Ph.D., ABPP-CN Russell-adams@ouhsc.edu
Additional Information:
The address for the American Psychological Association is as follows:
American Psychological Association
750 First Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
Telephone (202) 336-5979
Fax (202) 336-5978
E-mail:apaaccred@apa.org
http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
In compliance with The Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical
Neuropsychology (APPCN), "This fellowship site agrees to abide by the APPCN policy
that no person at this facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information
from any applicant". Application forms for the Resident Neuropsychology Matching
Program can be obtained at the following address:
National Matching Service Inc.
P.O. Box 1208
Lewiston, New York 14092-8208
Telephone (716) 282-4013
Fax (716) 282-0611
www.natmatch.com\appcnmat
email: appcnmat@natmatch.com
Revised 1/4/12
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