University of British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program
Open Fellowship, starting July 1, 2026
Fellowship Program Description
The University of British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program is open to qualified physicians (see fellowship description) and offers a comprehensive clinical experience in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology. Our patient base consists of a mixture of patients with complicated psychopathology explained by known brain injury and physical symptoms that have no medical explanation.
Fellows gain a diverse set of clinical skills that include comprehensive:
■ Neuropsychiatric history taking
■ Neurologic examinations specific to neuropsychiatric conditions
■ Neurocognitive screening
■ Correct ordering and interpretation of laboratory parameters (including CSF studies)
■ Skills in reading and interpreting neuroimaging studies (CT, MRI, SPECT)
■ Understanding and applying EEG findings to clinical presentations
■ Understanding and applying results of neuropsychological test batteries to clinical presentations
■ Midazolam interviews
■ ECT as it applies to neuropsychiatric conditions
Fellows are expected to work on the inpatient unit with a multidisciplinary team (including social worker, OT, PT, experienced nursing staff) with whom they frequently consult for corroborative patient data, learning how to develop a harmonized, patient-specific care plan that makes optimal use of these professionals’ skills.
During the fellowship training, the fellow is strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed learning during rotations to build their understanding of the neuropsychiatry of various neurological conditions.
Regular journal club, weekly neuroradiology, neurosciences, and neuropsychiatry rounds, and biweekly didactic seminars supplement their educational experience.
We believe the strengths of the program are in the inpatient neuropsychiatry experience, the strong connections to and interactions with the neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery programs in our institution, the diversity of patient referrals to our program, supervision by a number of experienced faculty with varying clinical interests, and the quality of the multidisciplinary team.
The two-year fellowship in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioural Neurology includes the following:
YEAR 1
■ “Neurology for Psychiatrists” or “Psychiatry for Neurologists”
Fellows trained in psychiatry
■ Functional neuroanatomy course
Rotations for psychiatrists on:
■ EEG/seizure investigation unit
■ Neuroradiology
■ Inpatient and outpatient neurology with exposure to MS, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular disease, movement disorders, traumatic brain injury and its rehabilitation, concurrent disorders, substance use disorders, and HIV
Fellows trained in neurology
■ Inpatient and outpatient general psychiatry
Fellows in neurology will also have experience in the neuropsychiatric presentations and approach to patients with:
■ schizophrenia
■ mood disorders
■ personality disorders
■ concurrent disorders (substance use disorders and HIV)
■ geriatric psychiatry
■ emergency psychiatry with a focus on acute mental status changes
■ child and adolescent psychiatry
■ sleep medicine
YEAR 2
Inpatient and outpatient Neuropsychiatry and Behavioural Neurology for Neurologists and Psychiatrists, with supervision by the Neuropsychiatry Faculty at UBC.
Call is expected for approximately 2-3 months of the year in Neurology, at a frequency no greater than 1 in 4; call is expected for most of the year in Psychiatry, at a frequency no greater than 1 in 7. There is no call in the second year. Research, presentations, and completion of certification by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry are expected but not required.
Core Neuropsychiatry faculty include: Dr. Trevor Hurwitz (Neurologist and Psychiatrist; program director), Dr. Robert Stowe (Behavioral Neurologist), Dr. Anton Scamvougeras, Dr. Joseph Tham, Dr. Andrew Howard, Dr. Magda Ilcewicz, Dr. Marius Dimov, Dr. William Panenka (Neurologist and Psychiatrist), and Dr. Amanda Lamarre (Neuropsychologist).
Other supervising faculty include neuroanatomists, behavioral neurologists with specialization in Cognitive Disorders, general and subspecialty neurologists, general and subspecialty psychiatrists, physiatrists with expertise in traumatic brain injury, and neuroradiologists.
Clinical Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program at UBC
The Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia (UBC), in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority, offers a 2-year Clinical Fellowship in Neuropsychiatry.
This fellowship is accredited through the United Council for Neurologic Specialties (UCNS), an affiliate of the American Neurological Association.
Depending on the source of funding, there may be a return-of-service component.
The first year of the fellowship consists of clinical rotations in neuropsychiatry, neurology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuroradiology at UBC, Vancouver General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. The whole or portions of the first year may be arranged during the PGY-5 residency year.
The second year will be spent primarily at UBC Hospital, focusing on clinical inpatient and outpatient exposure to neuropsychiatric disorders with outreach clinics in the Fraser Region. An adjunctive seminar series and weekly neuropsychiatry rounds are provided to enhance the academic experience. Research is optional. It is expected that the successful fellow writes the UCNS diplomate examination at the completion of training.
The salary during the fellowship is equivalent to the negotiated PGY-5 (first year) and PGY-6 (second year) remunerations for BC residents, supplemented by other remuneration from clinical service.
Applicants must hold Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification in psychiatry and be eligible for an unrestricted license to practice medicine in British Columbia. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Interested applicants should forward their CVs to:
Dr. Trevor A. Hurwitz
Medical Director, Neuropsychiatry Program
Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, UBC Site
2255 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 2A1
Tel: (604) 822-7066, Fax: (604) 822-7105
t.hurwitz@ubc.ca