Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research Education & Training Medical Student Elective Rotations Rehab Academic and Mentorship Program Residency Program Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship Program Faculty Jobs Contact Us Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship Program Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Home Research Research: Clinical Departments PM&R: Home PM&R: Education & Training PM&R: Education & Training > Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship Program Our Program The UC Irvine School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Long Beach Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (SCIM) Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited clinical program based at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. The VA Long Beach Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders (SCI/D) Center is one of the largest SCI care center in the VA system, with 90 inpatient beds and a comprehensive outpatient program that provides both primary and specialty care for Veterans with spinal cord injury. About the VA The VA Long Beach serves more than 800 veterans living in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Northern San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern and Las Vegas counties. The Veterans Affairs SCI & Disorders Center has an average census of about 76 inpatients and follows a continuum of life care model that features: Various specialized programs such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited acute rehabilitation program for new injuries. A SCI medical/surgical program, which includes patients on ventilators and patients pre- or post-urological procedures. A SCI geriatric program. A SCI annual preventive health maintenance program. A surgical and nonsurgical wound healing program for patients with complex pressure injuries and other wound management issues. Outpatient Program The comprehensive SCI outpatient program provides primary and specialty care from initial diagnosis throughout the veteran’s life, and services include: Primary care clinics Elective rotation with neurology, neuroradiology and neurosurgery are available Shoulder/injection clinic Upper extremity restoration clinic Rehabilitation clinic Diabetes clinic Urology clinic NeuroUrology Clinic Wheelchair clinic Nursing clinic Wound clinic Spasticity clinic Musculoskeletal clinic including exoskeleton evaluations Interdisciplinary care with neurosurgery, neurology and neuroradiology The VA Long Beach SCI outpatient center features a state-of-the-art urology suite equipped for urodynamic studies, cystoscopies and other advanced urological procedures, along with on-site services such as ultrasounds, ECGs and blood draws. Additionally, specialty rehabilitation programs include driver evaluation and training, vocational rehabilitation for SCI veterans and the seating clinic. Research & Academic Opportunities Fellows have access to a range of academic, teaching and research opportunities designed to complement their clinical training. Research Opportunities Fellows interested in spinal cord injury (SCI) research can participate in both clinical and basic science projects in collaboration with the Reeve-Irvine Research Center. Educational Activities Weekly didactic sessions SCI-focused lecture and Journal Club series Academic Involvement The VA Long Beach SCIM Fellowship aims to provide a well-rounded experience that includes exposure to the full spectrum of SCI care—from new injuries to chronic complications and aging-related concerns. Fellows are also encouraged to: Participate in UC Irvine and UCLA PM&R residency program activities Help supervise and teach residents during clinical rotations How to Apply Thank you for your interest in the Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship program at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and VA Long Beach Healthcare System. Certification in spinal cord injury medicine is offered to physicians of all ABMS member boards, particularly from specialties directly related to the care of persons with spinal cord injury whose physicians wish to be certified in SCI (e.g., physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, plastic surgery and urology). Download the SCIM Application If you are not able to access the linked document, please contact the SCIM Fellowship Coordinator to request an alternate format. Application Materials Please submit your application along with the following documents to the SCIM Fellowship Coordinator: A Completed Application Photo Personal Statement – Motivation for pursuing a career in spinal cord injury medicine Dean's Letter Medical School Transcript USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts – Steps/Levels 1-3 Three Letters of Recommendation Applicant Window April 1 – August 15 For admission to the program starting July 1 of the following year International Applicants Our SCIM Fellowship program accepts applications from international medical graduates who have received their Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) letter from the Medical Board of California. International medical graduates should contact the ECFMG for detailed requirements. An ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visa is required for those physicians who are not U.S. citizens. Please refer to the ECFMG website for more information. Important Dates Virtual Interviews: September Recommended Application Deadline: August 15 NRMP Registration Opens: August 6, 2025 Rank List Submission: September 3 – October 8, 2025 Match Day: October 22, 2025 Contact Us For more information, reach out to: SCIM Fellowship Coordinator Jesus Garciajesusg5@hs.uci.edu