Movement Science

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) Program

An IONM student and preceptor in the operating room

An Emerging Field

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) involves the monitoring of the central and peripheral nervous systems of patients undergoing surgical procedures such as orthopedic spinal correction (scoliosis treatment), cranial neurosurgery, and interventional radiologic procedures.

IONM helps improve patient outcome by carefully assessing the functional status of nervous tissue, including spinal column tracts, eloquent brain regions, and peripheral nerve. This neurophysiologic information helps the surgeon perform a safer and sometimes more thorough procedure.

A Cutting-Edge Program

The U-M School of Kinesiology has developed a specialized IONM educational program for Movement Science majors – the first accredited IONM program in the world. IONM program students will take 12 credits in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroanesthesia, and a surgical neuromonitoring lab, plus nine credits of clinical rotations over the course of a year. Students complete an average of 300 clinical hours during the program.
 

A Highly Employable Skill Set

Neuromonitorists are employed by large university hospitals and larger non-teaching hospitals. Neuromonitoring is also provided to smaller community hospitals regionally or nationally by companies that specialize in this field. The demand for qualified neuromonitorists is very high, and current average salaries are between $60,000 and $70,000/year.

In addition to their clinical work in the operating room, neuromonitorists can use their degree as a stepping stone into medical school, research, or a career in health care management.

The IONM Class of 2020 had a 100% employment rate (13 graduates, 100% reporting).
Read the full report.
 

FAQs

  1. I’m a U-M graduate – can I go through the IONM Program? We do not have an accelerated program. You would have to acquire an additional bachelor’s degree in MVS with a concentration in IONM. Once enrolled in the School of Kinesiology, you could apply to the IONM Program.
  2. I have a bachelor’s degree from another university – can I go through the IONM Program? We do not have an accelerated program. You would have to acquire an additional bachelor’s degree in MVS with a concentration in IONM. Once enrolled in the School of Kinesiology, you could apply to the IONM Program.
  3. Can the letters of recommendation be from any professors or do they have to be from MVS professors? They can be from any professors.
  4. Regarding the letter of intent, is there a length requirement and to whom should it be sent? There isn't a length requirement; it should be sent with the application.
  5. When do the interviews take place? Interviews take place on the first reading/study day (the day between the last day of classes and first day of finals) of each Winter term.
  6. When will I find out if I’m accepted into the IONM Program? Students will be notified by mid- to late May.

IONM Faculty

Josh Mergos
Clinical Assistant Professor, Movement Science
IONM Program Director
jmergos@umich.edu

I’ve always been passionate about teaching. Shortly after beginning my graduate work in biomedical engineering, I learned about the field of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring. I began to shadow and train under a team of neuromonitorists at a teaching hospital and focused my graduate studies on neurophysiology, with an emphasis on the differences between peripheral sensory and motor nerve fiber electrical excitability.

After obtaining certification in the field (passing the CNIM exam) and continuing to work as a neuromonitorist where I received my training, I had the opportunity to spend some time educating neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other health care professionals overseas in the field of neuromonitoring. I then took a similar position at the University of Michigan Health Care System (UMHS) and completed my graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering.

I’ve spent the past few years developing and teaching undergraduate IONM-specific Movement Science classes within the School of Kinesiology as we’ve partnered with the Department of Neurology to create a formalized Bachelor’s-level education program for the field of IONM. It’s required a lot of hard work, but it’s something our field has needed for a long time and I’m grateful to be a part of meeting that need.

Kolleen Chulski
Intraoperative Monitoring Neuromonitorist and IONM Preceptor
kcschmid@umich.edu

Like many college graduates, when I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2009, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction my career would take. I have always been drawn to the medical field, as I enjoy learning about how the body operates, especially in response to injury and illness, and value proper patient care.

Upon my graduation from the University of Michigan with a degree in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science, I learned of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring from a friend who worked for a company that provides these services to local hospitals. I wasn’t even aware that such practices were used during surgery, and I immediately became intrigued. I was hired by the same company, and worked as a neuromonitorist first in Florida, and upon returning to Michigan, in the Ann Arbor and Detroit region.

After three years of experience in the field, I happily accepted a position as a neuromonitorist at the University of Michigan Health Care System (UMHS). I viewed the Bachelor’s degree program offered through the School of Kinesiology as a necessary progression for the field. With IONM practices becoming more standardized, the need for properly educated neuromonitorists is increasing. I was eager to get involved, and over the past year I’ve helped mentor and train our students in the clinical setting. It has been a wonderful learning experience, and I am excited to see the impact our efforts will make on the future of the field.

Nicholas Chulski
Intraoperative Monitoring Neuromonitorist and IONM Preceptor
nchulski@umich.edu

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alma College, I found that my life seemed to be missing what I always had a true passion for: medicine. I then decided to go back to school and take pre-requisite classes for an accelerated nursing program. It was during this time that I first learned about Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM). I was fascinated by the ability to have sensory and motor information during surgery that could potentially prevent significant deficits in patient outcomes. I then decided I would pursue a career as a neuromonitorist.

In 2011, I found my niche when I started working for a neuromonitoring company where I received on-the-job training and obtained my CNIM certification. Additionally, I discovered I also enjoyed mentoring new trainees.

I have been with the University of Michigan’s neuromonitoring program since August 2012 and have assisted Professor Mergos with the technical and clinical education and training the students receive in the operating rooms. I am marveled at the progress our field has made and enjoy being able to aid in its further growth.

How to Apply

The first IONM course (MOVESCI 361) is open to all students (most take during winter of their sophomore year). Students learn the IONM application process in the class. View Movement Science courses. 

For all students:

  • Fill out the IONM application
  • Submit a letter of intent
  • Submit 2 letters of recommendation (1 from a professor, 1 from an outside reference)
  • Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA 
  • Achieve at least a B- in MOVESCI 361 
  • Final step is an interview

Additional requirement for LSA students: Complete a cross-campus transfer application to transfer into Kines. 

Students in U-M schools/colleges other than Kines or LSA can still take MOVESCI 361, but they might not get credit (depending on their school/college requirements). They are still welcome to apply for the IONM program and cross-campus transfer.

The deadline for both the IONM and cross-campus transfer applications is February 1.

Scholarships

Four need­-based scholarships for senior­-level IONM students have been developed. These scholarships are:

Current juniors in the IONM program are invited to apply for these scholarships through the online application. Deadline to apply is 11:59pm Friday, December 31, 2021. Recipients will be notified by Thursday, January 20, 2022.

Requirements:

  • Completion of MVS 361
  • Current or prior enrollment in MVS 362 with a qualifying grade (B­)
  • Enrollment in MVS 363

Distribution of scholarship funds is contingent upon completion of the current requirements to begin Clinical Rotations I in IONM (MVS 464). These requirements can be reviewed in the School of Kinesiology Bulletin, found on this website's Policies and Procedures page.

The scholarship funds will be available for distribution during the spring/summer semester and must be used for education­-related expenses.

Forms for IONM Students

More Resources

Conferences