Headache is one of the most common complaints among patients and is therefore of increasing interest in medicine. Migraine, the most notorious primary headache disorder, is a highly prevalent condition. Approximately 23 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraine headaches and they account for more than $17 billion in direct and indirect health-care costs.

Despite the burden on individuals and society caused by headaches, primary headache disorders continue to be under-recognized, misdiagnosed and improperly treated.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, offers a Headache Fellowship to provide you with one year of advanced training in the clinical and research aspects of headache. A second year of fellowship may be considered depending on your clinical and research interests and long-term career goals.

You will participate in the clinical assessment and management of patients with a wide variety of headache disorders. You also will have the opportunity to participate in clinical research. Elective time will be available so that you can gain additional experience in such areas as the pain clinic, pain management program, and orofacial pain.

You will also participate in clinical research and work with the related areas of pain management and behavioral psychology.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS).

Certification

After successfully completing the program, you are eligible to take the Headache Medicine Certification examination offered by the UCNS.

Program history

The Headache Fellowship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota was established in 1996. Since then, several fellows have completed training in the program. We anticipate that one trainee will complete this fellowship annually.