Overview
The Weill Cornell Tri-Institute Pain Fellowship is a 12-month, ACGME-accredited program that provides a comprehensive curriculum for training the next generation of leaders in Interventional Pain Medicine. Widely regarded as one of the top training programs in New York City and the country, the program incorporates core rotations at three of the nation's leading hospitals: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Hospital for Special Surgery. Our fellows benefit from the close association between these three world-renowned hospitals. In fact, it is this breadth of experience that we—and our graduating fellows—feel makes our program so unique and unparalleled.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a major international and regional tertiary referral center that is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the United States. Fellows rotating through NYPH are exposed to an evidence based and multi-disciplinary approach to treating pain at a major academic hospital. The pain fellows' exposure to a wide variety of clinical cases—including cancer pain, spine-related pain, and other painful conditions such as CRPS—make this rotation unique. Clinical education time is split between our new Center for Comprehensive Spine Care, the Upper West Side office, and the Lower Manhattan office. All of our facilities have en-suite fluoroscopy with daily procedures occurring that include ultrasound-guided procedures. Advanced pain therapies, such as spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal delivery systems, are a focus of this rotation.
Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the world's largest dedicated cancer hospital. The rotation here offers a very unique opportunity for pain fellows to evaluate patients with all stages of malignant disease. Fellows are exposed to the latest in cancer pain management techniques including neurolytic blocks, vertebral augmentation, and intrathecal drug delivery systems. New and creative approaches to pain management are often necessary for improving quality of life in patients with advanced disease.
The Hospital for Special Surgery
The Hospital for Special Surgery is a world-famous orthopedics and rheumatologic hospital that has been continuously top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for twenty years. In addition to providing a specialized orthopedic, rheumatologic and rehabilitation patient referral base, the clinical rotation at HSS offers a true glimpse of a busy pain management clinic from a private practice perspective. There is a focus on cervical and lumbar spine procedures. Advanced therapies include DRG stimulation and intravenous ketamine infusions for CRPS.
Didactics and Education
Weekly Teaching Time
Fellows have protected weekly teaching time throughout the year, regardless of their clinical responsibilities.
Every Friday morning from 7:30-8:30 am, there are Pain Medicine Grand Rounds. We have invited speakers presenting throughout the year.
In addition, every Friday morning from 8:30-9:30 am, fellows have weekly didactic sessions. A wide array of topics are covered such as Journal Club, Board Review and Business Management. There is a lot to cover in one year and we try our best to give our fellows the full spectrum!
Finally, every month there is a Friday morning Cadaver Session that provides fellows with hands-on practice of various techniques. During these sessions, the Pain Medicine faculty or invited guest speakers help to cover interventional techniques for different regions of the body.
Educational Allowance
Fellows are given a generous educational allowance to help support their learning. Two Pain Management books are given at the start of the fellowship, and fellows receive additional reimbursements for presenting at conferences and for research published.
Conferences
We encourage our fellows to attend local and national conferences in order to meet other leaders in Pain Medicine. We give our fellows protected time and reimbursement to attend the New York & New Jersey Societies of Interventional Pain Physicians' Pain Medicine Symposium, as well as The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Interventional Cancer Pain Symposium.
Some other conferences attended by fellows in the past include North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Annual Pain Medicine Meeting, and American Academy of Pain Management Annual Meeting.
Current Fellows
Mariam Ashraf, MD
2022-2023
Dr. Ashraf earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology of global health and history at Georgetown University and her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, both in Washington, DC. Dr. Ashraf continued her medical training as an anesthesiology resident at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center where she served as a chief resident during her final year of residency.
Lucas Bracero, MD, MBA
2022-2023
Dr. Bracero was born in Westchester, NY where he lived until he was 13, at which time his family moved to Charleston, WV. He stayed in West Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University. He received his medical degree from Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, WV. Dr. Bracero then moved back to New York and went on to complete an anesthesiology residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was chosen by his peers to serve as chief resident his final year.
Caroline Eden, MD, MSCR
2022-2023
Dr. Eden was born and raised in New York, NY. She completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis and medical training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. While in medical school, she obtained her Master of Science in Clinical Research. She was subsequently selected as an apgar research scholar at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she completed her anesthesiology residency training.
Erica R. Eldon, DO
2022-2023
Dr. Eldon was born and raised in Cypress, California. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She then went on to earn a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in Phoenix. She completed a transitional year internship at Oak Hill Hospital (HCA/USF Consortium) in Florida. and then completed residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Eldon served as chief resident during her final year of residency.
Ramanjot S. Kang, MD
2022-2023
Dr. Kang was born and raised in New York City and completed his undergraduate education at New York University. He subsequently earned a Master of Science from New York University. He went on to complete his medical training at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University, OH, where he developed an interest in interventional pain medicine. Dr. Kang returned to New York to complete his anesthesiology residency at Stony Brook University.
Brian Mayrsohn, MD, MS
2022-2023
Dr. Mayrsohn was born and raised in Long Island, NY. He earned a Bachelor of Arts at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He went on to earn a Master of Science in nutrition at Columbia University in New York, NY, and continued to medical school at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Mayrsohn then completed his internship and residency in anesthesiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY where he was a member of the leadership and management track and focused on perioperative medicine.
Currently, he co-chairs the American Academy of Pain Medicine AAPM Innovation Committee, AAPM Venture Council, and the Special Interest Group for Innovation. In addition, he recently received the 2022 Presidential Commendation award at the AAPM annual conference. He also serves as a member of the Innovation Committee for the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Ankur Patel, DO
2022-2023
Dr. Patel earned his Bachelor of Science in neurobiology and physiology from the University of Maryland. He then completed his medical education at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg, VA and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Dr. Patel has authored numerous research articles and textbook chapters and presented at national conferences. He is actively involved in various pain medicine societies and currently the Chair of the Residents and Fellows Section (RFS) for North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS). Dr. Patel’s clinical interests include pain medicine, neuromodulation, ultrasonography, and medical education.
James Yu, DO, MS
2022-2023
Dr. Yu was born and raised in Long Island, NY and attended Stony Brook University where he majored in biology. He then completed both his Master of Science in biomedical sciences and medical degree at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY. During medical school, he conducted laboratory and clinical research in neuroscience and pain medicine. He then joined the anesthesiology program at University of Illinois in Chicago, where he deepened his interest in pain medicine.
Former Fellows
Scheduling and Rotations
Fellowship Curriculum
During the 12 month cycle, each fellow rotates between NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Hospital for Special Surgery as follows:
12 week rotation at Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
12 week rotation at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Pain Department
12 week rotation at Hospital for Special Surgery - Pain Department
6 week rotation which is further subdivided working with both the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department and the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Neuroradiology Department. While working with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, fellows have the opportunity to see patients in clinic, witness EMGs being conducted, be part of physical therapy sessions and custom orthotic fittings for patients. While working with the Neuroradiology Department, fellows have the opportunity to perform Vertebral Augmentation Procedures. This is a very hands-on experience much enjoyed by our fellows.
6 week rotation which is further subdivided working at both the Weill Cornell Medicine Upper West Side office and the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Psychiatry Department. While working at the West Side office, fellows see patients in clinic and perform interventional procedures daily in the en-suite fluoroscopy. While working with the Psychiatry Department, fellows have the opportunity to join the psychiatry team on inpatient rounding in the afternoon.
A Typical Work Day
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Your day starts at the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care at 8:30am. One fellow is assigned to seeing patients in clinic while the other fellow is assigned to doing procedures with the en-suite fluoroscopy or with the ultrasound machine. There is a 30-60 minute lunch break. The day typically finishes by 5pm for clinic and procedures. Roughly once per week, fellows also rotate at the main OR at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for intrathecal pump trials, intrathecal pump implants, spinal cord stimulator trials (including DRG), and spinal cord stimulator implants. During the 12 week rotation, fellows take about 2-3 weekend calls in which they are helping to round on acute and chronic pain inpatients from 8am-1pm. The pager is then signed out and covered by the inpatient PACU resident for the remainder of the call. During the week, chronic pain inpatients are covered by our pain NP’s. - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Pain Department
Your day starts at 6:30am to perform regional blocks and thoracic epidurals for the first-scheduled OR cases. This is a great opportunity to learn and refresh your regional and ultrasound skills! Once the morning blocks/epidurals are completed, the pain team typically has breakfast together. Clinic starts at 9am. Both fellows see patients in clinic and perform procedures daily with the en-suite fluoroscopy or with the ultrasound machine. Lunch is typically in the middle of the day. The day typically finishes by 5pm for clinic. Inpatient chronic pain patients are seen by the pain NP's, but fellows may assist with this during the day especially when procedures are indicated. If an inpatient needs an interventional procedure done, it is performed by the fellow. While at MSKCC, fellows perform a wide array of procedures including CT-guided celiac plexus neurolysis, regional anesthesia blocks, and spinal cord stimulator/intrathecal pump implantation. During the 12 week rotation, fellows take about 2-3 twelve-hour call shifts during which they are covering the inpatient pain pager for both acute and chronic pain patients. - Hospital for Special Surgery - Pain Department
Your day starts at 8am at the Hospital for Special Surgery Outpatient Pain Office. Both fellows on the rotation are assigned to work with a specific attending each day. The fellow works in conjunction with the designated attending for the day in clinic and to perform procedures with the en-suite fluoroscopy or with the ultrasound machine. You have a 30-60 minute lunch break. The day typically finishes by 5pm for clinic and procedures. Once a week, fellows also see patients in the Medicaid Fellows Clinic and have designated fluoroscopy time later in the week to perform procedures on their patients so there is continuity of care. While at HSS, fellows have the opportunity to see a wide range of procedures ranging from acupuncture, prolotherapy, cryoneurolysis to DRG stimulation and DRG implantation. During the 12 week rotation, fellows take about 4-5 weekend calls in which they are helping to round on chronic pain inpatients and covering the pain pager from Saturday 7am till Sunday 7pm. The pager is then signed out to the covering NP for the night. During the week, chronic pain inpatients are covered by our pain NP’s.
Living in New York City
The Cornell campus of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
- Learn more about living in New York City.
- View the subsidized housing offered to our fellows.
Application
Our Pain Fellowship program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for fellowships. Applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Applications are accepted on ERAS from December 1 to April 15.
Required documents are:
- CV
- Personal statement
- Medical school transcript and Dean's letter
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Passport-size photo
Additional documentation accepted: ITE Exam Score, SAE and any other similar progress examinations (can be emailed to maa2010@med.cornell.edu).
Only J-1 visas are accepted for appoinment at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine Pain Fellowship Program.
Please email all pain fellowship queries to Marlene Augustine, maa2010@med.cornell.edu.
Program Directors
Amitabh Gulati, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology
Assistant Attending Anesthesiologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Program Director, Tri-Institutional Pain Medicine Fellowship
Contact:
Marlene Augustine
Phone: (212) 746-2785
E-mail: maa2010@med.cornell.edu
Daniel Pak, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology
Associate Program Director, Tri-Institutional Pain Medicine Fellowship
Contact:
Marlene Augustine
Phone: (212) 746-2785
E-mail: maa2010@med.cornell.edu
