The Stroke Institute of Minnesota

LOGO SHOULD BE HERE

EDUCATION

Medical education
The institute is committed to organizing and supporting medical educational activities focused on cerebrovascular diseases.

Research fellowships:
The institute will provide fiscal and administrative support for research and education opportunities for motivated candidates from all over the world conducting studies in either basic or clinical research related to neurosciences. The primary objectives include: 1) gaining familiarity with research design, hypothesis generation, methodology, and conduct; 2) providing the skills (e.g., grant application process, evaluation of scientific literature) and knowledge necessary to design and conduct independent research projects; 3) allowing career development through close mentoring relationships with experienced faculty; and 4) ethical conduct of research including compliance with IRB, IACUC, and HIPAA policies through dedicated courses.
A host of mentors that are nationally recognized for epidemiological, clinical, and basic research will be available to participate in the program. An expanded summary of each mentor’s research interests and qualifications are available by request. Various dissemination methods, including written information, electronic media, and person-to-person contact are used to inform potential applicants about the availability of this program including mass e-mail communication, display on electronic notice board in the departments, and formal announcements at the national and international meetings. The candidate must have demonstrable potential to be an excellent physician scientist, whose research interests are likely to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The candidate must make a 12-24 month commitment to the training plan. Priority of selection will be given to applicants who have chosen or intend to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree in a related discipline area. The applicant is expected to write the research plan, but should have discussed the idea with the proposed mentor. The applicant should demonstrate a good understanding of the research problem and be prepared to discuss the ideas informally with the Committee during the interview.

Scientific conferences:
Scientific conferences highlighting the findings of the recent randomized trials and recent developments in various aspect of cerebrovascular diseases that may be beneficial to physicians involved in evaluation or treatment of patients with cerebrovascular diseases will be supported and organized by the institute. The objectives of the conferences are presented below:

	To provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature relevant to the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of relevant specific topics based on literature search supplemented by personal knowledge prepared by leading experts.
	To summarize the existing data with particular emphasis on expert interpretation of the quality of evidence provided and implications for practice and research related to cerebrovascular diseases during a group discussion after presentation of the comprehensive review.
	To identify principles of management based on the existing data highlighting the principles upon which leading experts can agree based on their existing knowledge and review of the evidence presented.
	To identify research priorities in various aspects including epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of specific topics highlighting the principles upon which leading experts can agree based on their existing knowledge and review of the evidence presented.
	To prepare peer-reviewed documents that provides an overview of the proceedings of the educational conferences that will assist clinicians in standardizing practices and researchers in focusing efforts in high priority areas.

The conferences are will alo include consensus conferences directed to meet the requirements of the National Institutes of Health consensus statement definition (http://consensus.nih.gov/ABOUTCDP.htm) which states:” A consensus statement is based on publicly available data and information. It is not intended as a legal document, practice guideline, or primary source of detailed technical information. Rather, the statement reflects the views of a panel of thoughtful people who understand the issue before them and who carefully examine and discuss the scientific data available on the issue. The creative work of the panel is to synthesize this information, along with sometimes conflicting interpretations of the data, into clear and accurate answers to the questions posed to the panel. The statement may reflect uncertainties, options, or minority viewpoints.”