Fellowship and Early Attending Career: Part Two

Send us Fan Mail The leap from neurology residency to attending brings a critical decision - fellowship training or direct practice? In this compelling episode, Harvard neurologists Dr. Galina Gheihman and Dr. Denis Balaban share their contrasting post-residency paths, offering a roadmap for trainees wrestling with their next career steps. This conversation offers honest, practical guidance for navigating the post-residency landscape. Whether you're considering fellowship, direct practice, academic medicine, or industry roles, you'll gain valuable perspective on aligning your next steps with your true professional passions. • Transitioning from resident to attending involves complex role adjustments, especially when supervising former colleagues • Establishing clinical independence requires navigating new responsibilities in outpatient care and deciding when to manage vs. when to refer • Early career physicians lose the built-in cohort of training years precisely when facing critical career decisions • Building support networks through regular check-ins with division chairs and connecting with fellow educators becomes essential • Medical education lacks structured preparation for the business aspects of medicine including salary negotiation and career advancement • Embracing uncertainty and having honest conversations with patients about complex cases is integral to neurology practice • The most fulfilling aspects of attending life include the teaching-clinical intersection and helping patients navigate fear and uncertainty Support the show Hosts: Dr. Nupur Goel is a third-year neurology resident at Mass General Brigham in Boston, MA. Follow Dr. Nupur Goel on Twitter @mdgoels Dr. Blake Buletko is a vascular neurologist and program director of the Adult Neurology Residency Program at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Follow Dr.  Blake Buletko on Twitter @blakebuletko Follow the Neurophilia Podcast on Twitter and Instagram @NeurophiliaPod