Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The program covers a period of two years and consists of clinical, research and educational activities. Approximately 60 percent of the fellows’ time is devoted to clinical service and supervision, 20-30 percent to educational activities and 10-20 percent to research activity. The training program is designed to offer all fellows a strong basis in general pediatric neuropsychology competencies and provides a breadth of experiences and training. Fellows are also provided the opportunity to gain experiences in a specialty area of emphasis that fits with the fellows’ interests and training goals. Fellows with work with the training director to develop an individualized training plan that can include additional focused experiences in the areas of concussion/TBI, inpatient neuropsychological services, epilepsy/epilepsy surgery, hematology/oncology, or other tailored areas of emphasis.

The clinical training component of the pediatric neuropsychology fellowship at Nationwide Children's Hospital is structured around three core areas: neuropsychological evaluation, neuropsychological consultation and neuropsychological intervention. Experiences are obtained in each of these three core areas across both years of the fellowship.

Outpatient Neuropsychological Evaluations

All fellows will participate in outpatient neuropsychological evaluations across both training years. This involves completing comprehensive evaluations of pediatric populations with central nervous system illness or injury. Referral diagnoses include Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Brain Tumor, Leukemia, Genetic Disorders, Congenital Disorders, Prematurity, Craniofacial Disorders and other Neurological Disorders. While on outpatient rotations, fellows will typically complete 2 neuropsychological evaluations per week, which may range in length. This includes some comprehensive “full day” evaluations and other briefer evaluations for younger patients or to address more targeted referral questions. Fellows will have some partial psychometrician support with test administration and scoring.

Inpatient Experience

All fellows will complete one six-month rotation that includes experiences with inpatient neuropsychological assessment. Fellows will also have the opportunity to choose to complete an additional 6-month inpatient rotation, depending on their specific training goals and identified area of emphasis. During the inpatient rotation, fellows will provide inpatient neuropsychological consultation and assessment on the CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit. Neuropsychological services will also be conducted on other inpatient units across the hospital (e.g. pre-transplant, oncology, neurology units, etc.). Inpatient assessment experiences include assessing orientation and level of consciousness, monitoring of cognitive recovery, and conducting targeted neuropsychological evaluations. Fellows also participate in school re-entry meetings and closely collaborate with the multi-disciplinary rehab team.

On the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, fellows will also provide education to parents of children with traumatic brain injuries using the BRAIN Program (Brain Injury Recovery and Assessment Information sessions with Neuropsychology). The BRAIN Program is flexible and module-based and provides brain injury education to caregivers. BRAIN includes modules on the child’s brain injury with information that is specific to their unique injury, the recovery process and preparation for long-term outcomes. The program is semi-structured and fellows work with the neuropsychologist on the unit to tailor the modules to each individual patient.

Epilepsy Surgery

All fellows will complete one six-month rotation that includes conducting pre- and post-epilepsy surgery evaluations (typically one every other week during this rotation, though volume can vary). Fellows will attend the weekly multi-disciplinary epilepsy surgery conference and present cases they have seen. They will have the opportunity to be involved in functional mapping procedures as needed. Fellows will have the opportunity to elect to gain additional experiences in this area, depending on their chosen area of training emphasis.

Autism Assessment

Fellows will have the option to complete one six-month minor rotation that includes targeted autism evaluations. Referrals include children with medical/neurologic conditions where autism spectrum disorder may be suspected. During this rotation, fellows will gain experiences with the ADOS-2 and other autism assessment instruments. 

Multidisciplinary Medical Clinic Consultations

Fellows will provide consultation and brief assessment in a variety of multidisciplinary medical clinics. Fellows typically attend 2 half-day medical clinics per week. Each year, fellows will rank order their clinic preferences and will be assigned specific clinic schedules depending on their interests and availability. Clinic options include epilepsy clinic, myelomeningocele clinic, stroke clinic, acute concussion clinic, complex concussion clinic, neuroimmune clinic, and craniofacial clinic. Options may vary year to year and additional options may be developed based on a fellow’s interest.

Neuropsychological Intervention

All fellows will provide neuropsychological intervention services through the Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS) Program. This is a family problem-solving intervention targeted for teens with brain injury and other neurologic conditions (e.g. epilepsy, myelomeningocele, stroke, etc.). As part of this program, families will participate in therapist-guided treatment sessions which can be conducted via telehealth or in-person. The TOPS Program provides information about the effects of childhood brain conditions and training in problem-solving and communication skills to help families cope more effectively. Fellows will typically carry a caseload of 1-3 TOPS treatment cases at a time.

Area of Emphasis

Fellows are also provided the opportunity to gain experiences in specialty areas of emphasis that fit with their interests and training goals. Fellows with work with the training director to develop an individualized plan based on availability and training goals. Examples may include:

• Concussion/TBI: Fellows with a defined specialty interest in TBI and Concussion will conduct targeted outpatient neuropsychological evaluations with patients with concussion and traumatic brain injury. They will provide assessment and consultation in our multi-disciplinary acute and complex concussion clinics (CCC). The CCC is a multi-disciplinary clinic for patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms and includes providers from neuropsychology, neurology, physical therapy, and athletic training. Fellows will also provide neuropsychological intervention services in the Concussion Symptom Treatment and Education Program (C-STEP). This program is designed to be a short-term treatment program to target concussion symptoms and related stressors. Treatment may include activity scheduling, cognitive behavioral therapy, development of stress coping skills, pain management strategies, relaxation training, biofeedback and education about concussion symptoms and stress.
• Inpatient Neuropsychology: Fellows who are interested in a focus on inpatient neuropsychology services will have the opportunity to elect to complete an additional 6-month inpatient rotation. This will allow them to increase their independence and obtain more in-depth training in the inpatient setting. In their second year they will also have the opportunity to provide vertical supervision to interns or 1st year fellows rotating on the inpatient unit.
• Epilepsy/Epilepsy Surgery:Fellows who are interested in a focus on epilepsy will have the opportunity for additional assessment and clinic experiences in this area. Fellows can choose to complete an additional 6- month rotation conducting pre- and post-epilepsy surgery evaluations. They can also opt to complete additional time in our multi-disciplinary epilepsy clinic, which involves providing brief consultation services during the epilepsy clinic medical visit.
• Hematology/Oncology: Fellows with an interest in hematology/oncology populations will have the opportunity to conduct a 6-month rotation that includes a higher volume of outpatient cases with brain tumor, other cancers, and sickle cell disease. They will have the opportunity to participate in medical team meetings (e.g. tumor board) and may participate in multi-disciplinary medical clinics depending on availability.
• Other: There may be opportunities to develop additional areas of emphasis during fellowship training, depending on interest and availability of experiences. Example may include neuroimmunology, premature birth, craniofacial conditions/22q deletion syndrome, etc.

Sample Schedule

(Specific experiences will vary depending on individualized training plan)

Year 1 Example Schedule

Fellow Year 2

Fellows are expected to have taken formal courses in research methods and statistics and to have completed an empirical dissertation during their graduate training. Neuropsychology fellows will complete a research or quality improvement (QI) project as part of their fellowship. Fellows will form a research mentoring team that includes at least one of the neuropsychology training faculty as well as at least one additional faculty member from the Abigail Wexner Research Institute or a collaborating medical team. Fellows can choose to complete an original data collection project, utilize an existing data base or collaborate on a quality improvement initiative. Fellows typically complete a project proposal by spring of their first year and aim to have their final product submitted by early spring of their second year. Research project products can include abstract submission for poster/platform presentation, submission of a peer-reviewed paper, giving a national-level presentation or completing other scholarly work as determined by the research mentoring team. The department will provide some financial support for attendance at professional meetings. Fellows will participate in a monthly neuropsychology research and professional practice meeting.

Didactic experiences in the postdoctoral training program are both formal and informal. Formal activities include:

• Psychology Fellowship Seminar (monthly): Focus on professional development topics relevant for psychology fellows across the Section
• Neuropsychology Seminar (weekly): Focus on ABPP-CN Board preparation. Includes topics on neuroanatomy, neuropsychological conditions, and neuropsychological assessment. Once a month we conduct a mock fact-finding exercise aimed at preparation for the neuropsychology board certification oral examination.
• Neuropsychology Case Conference (weekly): Trainees and faculty rotate presenting a neuropsychology clinical case for group discussion. Quarterly, we conduct a mock practice sample defense exercise aimed at preparation for the neuropsychology board certification oral examination
• Neuropsychology Research Seminar (monthly): Trainees and faculty will present ongoing research projects or recent relevant research publications for group discussion.
• Neuropsychology Clinical Practice Professional Issues and Specialty Topics (every other week): This series is designed to focus on many of the competencies outlined in the Minnesota Conference Guidelines, including topics focused on cultural neuropsychology, technology, business/administration, and advocacy. We also have guest speakers from community agencies and other professionals outside of our department.
• Neuroradiology Rounds (bi-weekly): Neuroradiologists provide detailed review of neuroimaging and clinical findings with a group of physicians and trainees from multiple disciplines
• Epilepsy Surgery Conference (weekly, during outpatient rotations): Multidisciplinary presentations of patients undergoing Phase I epilepsy surgery evaluations including neurosurgery, neurology, radiology, nuclear medicine, neuropsychology, and social work.
• Rehab Psychosocial Rounds (weekly, during inpatient rotations): Multidisciplinary providers discuss issues related to psychosocial functioning for patient admitted to the rehab unit.

Other optional experiences are also available including:

• Medical Grand Rounds
• Research Institute presentations

Fellows also will be expected to complete readings in clinical neuropsychology, especially as they pertain to pediatric populations. Weekly readings are provided to supplement neuropsychology seminar topics. Additional readings may be chosen for each fellow in consultation with neuropsychology faculty. Finally, the fellow also takes part in the clinical teaching duties of the Psychology Division as appropriate. During the second year of the training program, fellows provide vertical supervision of first-year postdoctoral neuropsychology fellows, predoctoral psychology interns or graduate student externs.

The postdoctoral training program is directed by Kelly McNally, PhD, ABPP.

Supervisory faculty in the Pediatric Neuropsychology Program also include:

• Doug Bodin, PhD, ABPP
• Jennifer Cass, PhD, ABPP
• Christine Koterba, PhD, ABPP
• Ari Rabkin, PhD
• Camille Wilson, PhD, ABPP
• Jamie Quattlebaum, PhD
• Marina Dekarchuk

Neuropsychologists in the Center for Biobehavioral Health may also be involved in supervision, didactics and research project mentorship. Current faculty include:

• H. Gerry Taylor, PhD, ABPP
• Kristen Hoskinson, PhD

Dr. McNally is responsible for all the activities of the fellows. She will conduct annual evaluations of the fellows’ progress, in conjunction with the neuropsychology faculty and fellowship preceptors. Continuation beyond the first year of the fellowship is determined by the Pediatric Neuropsychology Program faculty. The fellowship shall ordinarily continue into a second year, although the final decision shall depend on each fellow’s progress and accomplishments during the first eight months.

Learn More About Our Faculty

At Nationwide Children’s, we believe our strength lies in reflecting the full range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives of the children and families we serve. We are committed to building a culture where every person not only belongs—but also has the opportunity to thrive.

We value the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that people bring, recognizing that our differences strengthen the care and compassion we provide together. Our commitment to representation includes welcoming people whose paths, perspectives, and experiences reflect the rich complexity of the communities we serve.

Across our hospital and fellowship program, you’ll see this commitment in action:

• Our Office for Health Equity drives initiatives, directly supported by our Chief Executive Officer and other senior leaders, that promote a cross-organizational effort for institutional change.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) bring together staff with shared experiences, interests, or goals to serve as a resource and voice for the organization and to help us better serve our families and communities.
• Within Behavioral Health, there are faculty-driven efforts through the Reflective Practice Committee and the Committee for Social Change to engage staff in shaping welcoming communities and promoting professionally focused advocacy activities.
• Our fellowship program includes representation-focused advisory committees and encourages fellow engagement in decision-making, culture building, and training design.
• Our training program’s Associate Director of Clinical Practice and Development leads and develops programs for recruiting, supporting, and retaining trainees and psychologists from a wide variety of backgrounds, and designs seminars and curriculum that enhance our commitment to providing the best care to achieve the best outcomes for all children.
• We welcome international students and have a strong track record of successful international fellows.

We believe that when all members of our team feel that they belong and bring their full selves to work, we are better equipped to deliver world-class care, innovate, and respond to the needs of every family we serve.

As of the 2027-2028 training year, fellows are paid a salary of $66,654 for the first year of fellowship and $68,653 for the second year. Fellows also are eligible for Nationwide Children's employee benefits, such as medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Fellows can be reimbursed for up to $3,000 for moving expenses (if moving from out of central Ohio; including but not limited to moving truck and packing materials; other expenses subject to approval by the Training Director) and up to $1,500 per year for reimbursement for professional expenses, such as conference travel. Fellows also can be reimbursed for up to $1200 for one EPPP exam, and study materials of the fellow’s choosing. If working in the state of Ohio after fellowship, the Ohio psychology license will also be reimbursed ($300).

Fellows receive 15 days of paid time off, up to 6 days of sick time, as well as six regular holidays. Five additional days are allocated for professional leave (such as attending conferences) and up to 5 additional days to attend job interviews.

Entry criteria for the program are those currently set forth by the Houston Conference. Preference is given to graduates of training programs in clinical psychology approved by the American Psychological Association who have also completed predoctoral clinical internships accredited by that organization. Applicants are required to possess the necessary qualifications for appointment as a Fellow in the Department of Pediatrics.

Application and Interviews

The application deadline is December 1, 2026.

Virtual interviews (45-60 min sessions) will be conducted on January 18, 2027 or January 23, 2026.

For those candidates invited to interview, there will also be an additional optional virtual session to learn more about the program and talk with our current fellows on January 14, 2026 (5:00 - 6:30 PM EST) or January 16, 2026 (3:00 - 4:30 PM EST).

Applications will be processed using the APPIC Psychology Postdoctoral Application – Centralized Application System (APPA-CAS).

Click here to access the APPA CAS (APPIC Psychology Postdoctoral Application). Complete the basic demographic, education, clinical training information and transcripts required of all applicants for all APPA CAS programs. Then select the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pediatric Neuropsychology program. APPA CAS allows you to request letters of recommendation electronically which are then uploaded by the letter writer. Note: APPA CAS refers to letters of recommendation as "Evaluations”. The specific requirements for the program are indicated below as well as within the APPA CAS system. More explicit instructions can be found within APPA CAS.

The following application requirements must be included (uploaded) in the APPA CAS in order for your application to be reviewed:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Graduate transcript
• Copies of two test reports
• Three letters of recommendation

Interviews will be arranged after initial screening of applications. All interviews will be conducted virtually.

The residency program participates in the APPCN match program conducted by National Matching Services, Inc. All applicants to APPCN programs should register for the match; information about registration can be found at this website.

This residency site agrees to abide by the APPCN policy that no person at this facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any residency applicant.

Background Check and Drug Screen

Our patients’ health and safety is in our hands. Upon hire, all new employees at Nationwide Children’s must complete and pass a background check and drug screen. The background check will include reference checking and a criminal background search complete with finger printing. Nationwide Children's follows the Ohio Revised Code to determine whether a felony or misdemeanor conviction or guilty plea is a disqualifying offense for applicants to the Internship in Professional Psychology. For applicants to the Internship in Professional Psychology, Nationwide Children's primarily relies on the background check requirements found in Ohio Revised Code Sections 3701.881, 2151.86, and 109.572 and Ohio Administrative Code Section 5101:2-5-09. 

All job candidates are required to successfully complete a drug screen as a condition of employment.

Further information about the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) is available at its website.

Further information about The Ohio State University is available at its website.

Inquiries regarding the pediatric neuropsychology training program should be directed to Kelly.McNally@NationwideChildrens.org.