Welcome
I have had the distinct honor and privilege to work with an outstanding group of clinicians, educators, and administrators as well as similarly gifted neurology trainees for many years as program director. While it is a daunting responsibility to educate and impart the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become, not only competent, but extraordinary clinical neurologists, we all welcome this challenge and relish the opportunity to do so.
We enjoy the educational resources necessary to accomplish our mission by providing care in a tertiary care community setting with staff and patients of various cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds while at the same time offering the most advanced technological resources. In spite of our small program, our residents have showcased their academic talents by presenting their research projects at multiple regional, national, and international scientific venues and with publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters.
We are looking for well-rounded individuals who seek nothing short of excellence in clinical practice and who share our enthusiasm to actively seek new knowledge, who are compassionate and whose goal reflects our motto to keep “Patients First”, who thrive in a team setting, and who are passionate about taking ownership of their patients. These characteristics will ensure that you will not only become a competent practitioner of your trade, but an extraordinary one.
We are proud to have sparked and nurtured the interest of our residents in a wide variety of neurological subspecialties by having approximately 90% of our graduates pursue fellowship training in such diverse areas as vascular neurology, interventional neuroradiology, neuroimmunology/MS, neuromuscular disease, neurophysiology/EMG, movement disorders, epilepsy, sleep medicine, pain management, headache medicine, neuroophthalmology, and neurooncology. Furthermore, they have accomplished this at cutting edge academic centers such as Brigham and Women’s, Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Weill Cornell, Case Western, University of Pittsburgh, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Texas Southwestern, Duke, and NYU, to name a few.
If you share our passion, I encourage you to research our program in more depth at this web site, by contacting our superb program coordinator, Belinda Ortiz, and ultimately by applying to our program.
Sincerely,
Efrain D. Salgado, MD
Director Neurology Residency
Program Director, Stroke Center
Overview
The Cleveland Clinic Florida Neurology Residency Program, accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). As an Advanced program, we are in the process of transitioning to a three resident per year program so that currently we have 3 residents at the PGY-2 level, 2 at the PGY-3 level, and 2 at the PGY-4 level. One more resident will be added per year over the next 2 years in order to completely fill our total resident complement of 3 per year. The required first year in Internal Medicine is also offered at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Candidates applying to our program will automatically match with our preliminary (PGY1) internal medicine program provided this is chosen as an option in your application through the NRMP. Since these are dedicated preliminary positions for our neurology program, they are only offered to our neurology-matched candidates and cannot be filled without a Neurology match in our program. Please note that it is not necessary to arrange a separate interview with our internal medicine program in order to qualify for these dedicated preliminary positions.
Educational Conferences
There are a wide variety of regular conferences and lectures scheduled on a daily basis Monday through Friday. These include but are not limited to Grand Rounds, Emergency Neurology, Subspecialty lectures, Neuroradiology, Ethics, Psychiatry, CPC, Chairman Rounds, Journal Club, RITE review sessions, Continuum sessions, and Basic Neuroscience. The residents are responsible for preparing and presenting some of these lectures or conferences. In addition, residents are also responsible for completing regular COMET on-line and other web-based learning modules to complement their medical knowledge and to help them acquire the skills and attitudes necessary to practice without direct supervision.
Rotations
First Year of Residency (PGY1)
The ACGME requires that the PGY1 year be spent in an ACGME or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-accredited general internal medicine training program. For more details regarding the required rotations during this year, the reader is referred to the ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Neurology posted in the ACGME website.
First Year of Neurology Residency (PGY2)
The majority of this year is spent in direct patient care, most of which is in the inpatient setting where the resident is exposed to a wide variety of general neurology patients as either primary neurology admissions or consultations in a wide variety of settings including the stroke unit, the epilepsy monitoring unit, intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency room. The inpatient team consists of a neurology attending, a senior neurology resident, junior neurology resident, and occasionally a rotating medical and/or psychiatry resident and several medical students. Teaching/hospital rounds are held 7 days/week, 365 days/year. The on-call schedule averages every 4th night for PGY2 and PGY3 residents. PGY4 residents do not have a regular call schedule, but rather fill in when PGY2 and PGY3 residents are not able to take call due to rotations in Cleveland or due to vacation or absence for whatever other approved reason. Cleveland Clinic Florida uses a module system with 13 four-week modules making up the academic year. In total, a PGY2 resident has 8 inpatient modules, 2 general neurology outpatient modules, 2 EEG/Epilepsy (outpatient/inpatient) modules, and 1 neuroradiology module. While in the inpatient service there is a daily review of neuroradiological imaging studies with neuroradiology staff support if necessary. Longitudinal outpatient clinic is scheduled one-half day per week with a staff preceptor who will work with the resident throughout the three years of training.
Second Year of Neurology Residency (PGY3)
As a senior PGY3 resident, 4 modules are spent in the inpatient service, 3 ½ in the outpatient service, 3 in EMG, 2 in Neuropathology with Mondays spent in Neuro-ophthalmology, and ½ module in Sleep Medicine. Each outpatient rotation beyond the first year is spent in a subspecialty service including movement disorders, neuromuscular disease, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive/behavioral neurology. The Neuropathology and Neuro-ophthalmology rotations take place at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.
Third Year of Neurology Residency (PGY4)
As a senior PGY4 resident, 3 1/2 modules are spent in Pediatric Neurology, 3½ modules in electives, 2 modules in the outpatient service, 1 module in Psychiatry, 1 module in Neurosurgery, and 2 inpatient module. The Pediatric Neurology rotation takes place at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami; the Psychiatry at University Hospital and Medical Center in Tamarac. Elective Rotations
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Behavioral Neurology
- Neuromuscular Disorders/EMG
- Epilepsy/EEG
- Cerebrovascular Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Movement Disorders
- Neuro-otology
- Interventional Pain Management
- Research
- Board Review
- Sleep Medicine
- Neuroradiology
- Headache
Application
How to Apply
The Neurology Residency Program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for all positions. You must complete all components of the ERAS Application in order for your application to be considered complete and to be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Our application requirements are the same as the standard ERAS application:
- Complete Application.
- CV.
- Personal Statement.
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
- Medical School Transcript.
- USMLE Step I Transcript & Score > 220 is suggested with one (1) attempt/ COMLEX Level equivalent.
- USMLE Step 2 Transcript & Score >220 is suggested with one (1) attempt / COMLEX Level 2 equivalent.
- Must have USMLE /COMLEX Step 2 Score Report uploaded into ERAS prior to the deadline of the Rank List submission. If you do not have a Step 2 Score Report uploaded, you will not be ranked (assuming you were invited for an interview).
- Three Letters of Recommendation.
International Medical Graduates
Here are some frequently asked question by graduates of international medical schools regarding the application process:
- U.S. clinical experience is strongly preferred.
- USMLE Step I Transcript & Score > 220 is suggested with one (1) attempt.
- USMLE Step 2 Transcript & Score >220 is suggested with one (1) attempt.
- Must have USMLE Step 2 Score Report uploaded into ERAS prior the deadline of the Rank List submission. If you do not have a Step 2 Score Report uploaded, you will not be ranked (assuming you were invited for an interview).
- ECFMG certification at the time of application is required. Please review the ECFMG requirements for additional information.
- Must have graduated medical school within the last 5 years. Anything greater than 5 years does not meet the minimum requirements.
- Visa information – We sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas.
Resident Program Wellness
We recognize that neurology is one of the top two medical specialties most impacted by physician burnout.
Accordingly, a variety of resources are available to our residents for the purpose of promoting resident wellness and combating burnout:
- Psychological support and counseling at no charge.
- Assigned Resident Advisors from PGY-1 who serve as sources of guidance and mentoring throughout their training.
- Orientation reception designed to promote a collegial environment where the new residents interact with each other, already established residents, and staff to welcome them to our institution.
- Yearly Resident Appreciation Week offering activities and events that highlight our appreciation and recognition for their contribution not only to our institution, but also to those we serve.
- Doctor’s Day events hosted by the Education Center for all programs in Cleveland Clinic to attend and participate.
- Periodic staff/resident luncheon events designed to promote interaction in a fun and non-stressful environment.
- Neuroscience Institute Christmas Party in an appealing social venue for not only staff and residents, but also their families.
- 6 Neurology applicant Dinner events during the fall/winter in local upscale restaurants where not only the residents, but also the staff interact with our applicants to showcase the close working relationship our staff enjoys with our residents.
- Periodic Program Director meetings with the residents designed at least in part for residents to vent any frustrations or concerns they may have with the program or institution.
- Lectures on resident well-being and fatigue mitigation strategies as part of our Academic Lecture Series.
- Resident of the Year Awards voted on by the staff and presented at graduation ceremonies recognizing, among other things, those residents who have overcome significant personal, cultural, and professional obstacles in order to excel.
- The Cleveland Clinic Learning Center offers residents educational modules on Safety, Communication, Fatigue Mitigation, Chemical Dependency, Disruptive Behavior, Sexual Misconduct, Diversity and Inclusion, our Culture of Safety, Physician Impairment, Fire Prevention, Crime Prevention, Infection Prevention, Health Services, Radiation Safety, MRI Safety, Back Safety, Diversity and Inclusion, Fluoroscopy & Radiation Protection, MRI Safety, HIPAA, Patient Safety, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protection, TB Exposure Prevention, Professionalism and self-assessment.
- On-Line Resources from the American Academy of Neurology and other sources outlined in their Program Manual and designed to promote wellness and prevent burnout.
Benefits
Salary
Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective July 1, 2023:
| Grad Level | Current Pay Rate |
| 1 | $58,413 |
| 2 | $60,694 |
| 3 | $62,860 |
| 4 | $66,158 |
| 5 | $69,104 |
| 6 | $71,519 |
| 7 | $75,976 |
| 8 | $77,560 |
Vacation
- Vacation: 3 weeks (15 working days) provided at the beginning of each academic year.
Maternity, & Paternity
- Maternity: 6 weeks paid leave for natural childbirth or adoption; 8 weeks for cesarean section. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
- Paternity: 4 weeks paid leave. Additional time off unpaid up to a maximum of 12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Insurance
- Healthcare: Cleveland Clinic Florida covers 50% of annual Healthcare Plans for Clinical Trainees and their families. Effective on the first day of training with no waiting period.
- Dental and Vision Care: Cleveland Clinic Florida covers 100% of annual Dental and Vision Care Plans for Clinical Trainees.
- Maternity Care: 100% coverage is provided through the health care plan that you select within the plans guidelines.
- Pharmaceuticals: As outlined by the Cleveland Clinic Florida Health Plan.
- Malpractice: Paid by the Cleveland Clinic Educational Foundation/Cleveland Clinic Florida. Limited to activities within the training program.
- Life Insurance: $25,000 term group policy.
Travel Privileges and Other Education Activities
Senior residents, chief residents and fellows in ACGME and NON-ACGME programs that meet eligibly criteria as outlined in the Graduate Physicians Manual may be approved to attend academic meetings for the purpose of presenting or engaging in leadership roles within national societies will be eligible up to 5 days per academic year with a maximum reimbursement of $1,200 per academic year.
Additional Benefits
- Book Allowance: A $250 educational allowance per year is available to all clinicalresidents/fellows. Primary use is for textbooks.
- On-call Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner: Paid by Cleveland Clinic Florida when on in house night call.
- Membership: AANmembership paid for by the program.
- Cell phones: Apple IPhone provided to all residents.
- Uniforms: Supplied by Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Our Team
Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Ohio
University Hospital and Medical Center
- Robert Antoine, MD
- Ethan Kass, DO
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
- Michael Duchowny, MD
- Sayed Naqvi, MD
- Natanya Mishal, MD
Program Coordinator
Belinda Ortiz, MBA.MHA
2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
Weston, Florida 33331
Phone: 954.659.5359
Fax: 954.659.6216
Email: ortizb2@ccf.org
Current Residents
Class of 2024
Dixie Reinoso, MD
Chief Resident
Ross University
Zarmina Javed, MD
Chief Resident
Shifa College of Medicine - Pakistan
Class of 2025
Saira Afzal, MD
Resident
King Edward Medical University-Pakistan
Metin Bicen, MD
Resident
Dokuz Eylu Universitesi Tip Fakulesi - Turkey
Mark Orlando, MD
Resident
St. George University – Grenada
Class of 2026
Chetna Dengri, MD
Resident
University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur- India
Vineet Nadkarni, MD
Resident
University of Florida College of Medicine- Florida
Mona Avanaki, MD
Resident
Shahid Beheshti University – Iran
Nora Nikprelevic, MD
Resident
St. George University of London - UK
Current Resident’s Testimonials
Zarmina Javed, MD — Class of 2024
I chose Cleveland Clinic Florida for the diversity of the program and the strong bond among the co-residents and the faculty is a major attraction. I enjoy the balance of resident supervision and autonomy. Last but not least, having an interest in exploring difference cultures as I love interacting with the diverse communities of South Florida.
Dixie Reinoso, MD — Class of 2024
Why I chose Cleveland Clinic Florida: I love the opportunity to serve Florida and be able to treat people from many different places. I really love the working environment of the Neurology department. Attending’s and co-residents are very professional and supportive while preparing me to excel in the beautiful world of Neurology. I ‘m particularly interested to pursue a Neuro-Oncology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Ohio campus.
Alumni
| 2023 | Adriana Grau, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2023 | Amaya De La Pena, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2023 | Maria Vera Silva, MD | Neuro Ophthalmology Fellowship | Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, FL |
| 2022 | Claudia Vallin, DO | Epilepsy Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2022 | Maria Martucci, MD | Vascular Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2022 | Muhammad Zahid, DO | Epilepsy Fellowship | University of Michigan, MI |
| 2021 | Divya Arya, MD | Private Practice | Bronx Care Hospital |
| 2021 | Tanmay Parekh, MD | Neuro-Hospitalist | Orlando Health |
| 2021 | Shakeel Tabish, MD | Sleep Fellowship | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
| 2020 | Anam Baig, DO | Headache Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2020 | Dhara Murray-Frank, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | New York University SOM, NY |
| 2019 | Samer Riaz, DO | Epilepsy Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH |
| 2019 | Huan Huynh, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | Case Western, Cleveland, OH |
| 2018 | Subin Mathew, MD | Neuro-Critical Care Fellowship | Emory University School of Medicine, GA |
| 2018 | Pirouz Piran, MD | Vascular Neurology/NCC Fellowship | Weill Cornell Medical College/John Hopkins, NY |
| 2017 | Ava Ferdinand, MD | Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship | Mount Sinai Hospital, NY |
| 2017 | Kateryna Kurako, MD | Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Beth Israel Deaconess/Harvard Medical, MA |
| 2016 | Alex Linn, MD | Vascular Neurology Fellowship | University of Utah, UT |
| 2016 | Dennys Reyes, MD | Vascular Neurology/INR Fellowship | National Institutes of Health, MD/Baptist Hospital, FL |
| 2015 | Rachana Gandhi, MD | Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Duke University, NC |
| 2015 | Nancy Rosales, MD | Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship | New York University, NY |
| 2014 | Shira McMahan, DO | Movement Disorders Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2014 | Muhammad Umer, MD | Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship | Wayne State University, MI |
| 2013 | Camilo Garcia, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, OH |
| 2013 | Raghav Govindarajan, MD | Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Washington University, MO |
| 2012 | Danita Jones, DO | Electromyography Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2012 | John Morren, MD | Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, OH |
| 2011 | Rolando Ania, MD | Neurology Hospitalist | Mercy Hospital, FL |
| 2011 | Alexandra Soriano, MD | EMG/Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL/Penn State, PA |
| 2010 | Channa Kolb, MD | Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship | Brigham and Women Hospital/Harvard, MA |
| 2010 | Disha Shah, MD | Neuromuscular Disease Fellowship | Lahey Clinic, MA |
| 2009 | Margarita A. ElRamey, DO | Electromyography Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2009 | Ramon Lugo, MD | Movement Disorders Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2008 | Michelle Dompencial, MD | Electromyography Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2008 | Ikram Khan, MD | Epilepsy Fellowship | Case Western Reserve University, OH |
| 2007 | Luis Rivera, MD | Private Practice | HIMA, San Pablo Hospital, PR |
| 2007 | Syed Fazel Zaidi, MD | Cerebrovascular Disease Fellowship | University of Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2006 | Alvaro Padilla, MD | Private Practice | Hollywood, FL |
| 2006 | Tanvir Syed, MD | Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, OH |
| 2006 | Kalmaldeen Saldin, MD | Neurology Residency | Duke University, NC |
| 2005 | David Giampetro, MD | Pain Medicine Fellowship | Hershey Medical Center |
| 2005 | Angela Spencer, MD | Cerebrovascular Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2004 | Eskender Getachew, MD | Sleep Neurology Fellowship | UT Southwestern Medical Center, TX |
| 2004 | Stanley Krolczyk, DO | Pain Fellowship | University of South Florida, FL |
| 2003 | Sajeel Chowdhary, MD | Neuro Oncology Fellowship | University of Calgary, CAN |
| 2003 | Tarannum Khan, MD | Movement Disorders Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
| 2002 | Eric Ciliberti, MD | Neuro Ophthalmology Fellowship | Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, FL |
| 2002 | Sivalingam Sivendran, MD | Cerebrovascular Disease Fellowship | Jackson Memorial Hospital, FL |
| 2001 | Periut Perla, MD | Private Practice | Baptist Medical Center, FL |
| 2001 | Maria Herrera, MD | Electromyography Disease Fellowship | Cleveland Clinic, FL |
Alumni Testimonials
Maria Martucci, MD — Class of 2022
The best part of the clinic is the people. From the lady in the cafeteria to the chairman of the program, the vast majority of people are kind, approachable and willing to help and guide you. This makes the clinic an amazing place to learn. I feel very passionate about procedures and being here. I have a significate hands on experience, even as an intern doing central lines and now as a neurology resident with lumbar punctures (with and without fluoroscopy) as well as with the Neuro-Interventional team. After graduation, I will pursue two fellowships, in Vascular Neurology and another in Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology both at Cleveland Clinic-main campus Ohio.
Claudia Vallin, DO — Class of 2022
I really enjoy having the opportunity to serve the local South Florida community in addition to seeing patients from different parts of the world. As a result, this provides a unique experience in terms of patient and disease diversity. I believe we have a strong support system from our co-residents and attending physicians, which has allowed me to grow not only professionally but also personally. After graduation, I will pursue a fellowship in epilepsy at the Cleveland Clinic main campus in Ohio.
Muhammad Zahid, DO — Class of 2022
I chose CC-Florida because the attendings help create and foster an environment that allows us to grow personally and professionally. The program provides significant autonomy, helping us to become independent clinicians. We get exposure to patients requiring very high acuity care and complex medical decision-making. After graduation, I will be going to the University of Michigan for an Epilepsy fellowship.
Amaya De La Pena, MD — Class of 2023
Why I chose CCF-Florida: It was of utmost importance for me to be close to my family and friends and still receive a good education and guidance for residency. Being in a smaller sized program, allows for 1-1 interaction with attending physician ask questions and be heard. I love the fact that I was able to do my prelim- internal medicine year also in the same institution because it made the transition smoother by knowing the facility, faculty and other specialty residents who now help me take care of my patients while in neurology residency. After graduation, I hope to pursue a fellowship in Epilepsy.
Adriana Grau, MD — Class of 2023
I chose Cleveland Clinic Florida because of the strong sense of familiarity that I saw in the residents and attending physicians at the hospital. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I would collaborate with incredible professionals and doctors who are experts in their field. The residency program encourages you to work collectively with peers and challenges you to learn independently.
Maria Vera, MD — (Class of 2023)
Choosing Cleveland Clinic Florida as my first choice was a fairly easy decision. It is a hospital that promotes the most important principle of medicine, which is to put the patients first. Here, you will have the opportunity to enrich your knowledge and develop leadership and autonomy, which will ultimately help you to become an excellent neurologist. Furthermore, we have incredible mentors who guide our steps and motivate us to be the best version of ourselves every day.
Samer Riaz D.O. — Class of 2019
Florida as a 4th year medical student and I quickly fell in love with this program. As a student I thoroughly enjoyed working with the staff and residents, and I knew this is where I wanted to pursue my training. I was impressed at how comfortable the residents were managing the patients beginning in their first year of neurology. As a resident, the learning curve is steep however you quickly become versed with the bread and butter cases of neurology. The residents have plenty of autonomy and the attendings are always a doorstep away if you need help. The program is structured in a way where you become a well-rounded neurologist in every aspect of neurology, whether you choose to practice as a general neurologist or subspecialize.
As Cleveland Clinic Florida is a major referral and a transplant center, there is a vast array of pathology that you manage including strokes, movement disorders, intractable epilepsies, multiple sclerosis, neuroinfectious diseases (neurospyhillis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Herpes Simplex Virus), intractable headaches, and CNS tumors. There is more than enough pathology available to publish in research if you choose to.
During your inpatient months you become comfortable in managing acute stroke patients as you lead the ED team in assessing these patient. You work one-on-one with the interventional team in case they need a thrombectomy performed. You also quickly become skilled in performing bedside lumbar punctures. In the outpatient setting you become proficient in learning and performing nerve condition studies and electromyographic (EMG) studies with one-on-one training with the staff. What interested me most about this program was the epilepsy program. We always had 24-hour electroencephalography available and a busy epilepsy monitoring unit. Cleveland Clinic Florida offers comprehensive epilepsy care with invasive monitoring (stereotactic electroencephalography - SEEG) and an epilepsy surgery program. As a resident I worked closely with the epileptologist in becoming proficient in EEG reading, learning the basics of SEEG, and working closely with the neurosurgeon in coming up with a resection strategy.
I feel privileged to have trained at this excellent institution with my amazing co-residents and a great supporting house staff. I felt this program adequately prepared me to become a well-rounded neurologist. It sparked my interest in epilepsy and I chose to pursue further epilepsy training at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. After completing my training I would again rank CCF as my first choice without any hesitation.
Huan Huynh, MD — Class of 2019
It is truly my pleasure to have been part of this wonderful team. Not only having a long tradition and great culture with excellent leadership that we inherit from Cleveland Clinic Ohio, our Cleveland Clinic Florida Neurology Residency Program is also very well organized and tremendously expanded over the last few years. The staff, especially the Program Director, are exceptionally knowledgeable, approachable and supportive. Our Program Coordinator is outstandingly helpful and reliable. You will be most welcomed and surrounded by a warm and encouraging environment. Personally I feel like we are in a great family with everyone caring and supporting each other. Lastly, we are more than fully prepared for the Neurology board exam and highly likely to match to our first choice for subspecialty fellowship.
I would wholeheartedly recommend our program to anyone who considers applying to Neurology residency.
Pirouz Piran, MD – Class of 2018
The more I advance in my career as a neurologist the more I realize how lucky I was to be trained at Cleveland Clinic Florida. This neurology residency program made all my dreams come to reality. Not only I was able to match at Weill Cornell and Johns Hopkins for my vascular neurology and neuro-critical care fellowships, I had the opportunity to be at a world-class hospital, working alongside and learning first hand from well-rounded neurologists like Dr. Salgado and Dr. Galvez. My four years at CCF was amongst the best days of my life and prepared me well enough to become a competent neurologist. The diversity and the variety of neurological cases that I encountered during my training made me very comfortable approaching complex and challenging neurologically ill patients on day to day basis.
Subin Mathew, MD – Class of 2018
It’s hard to entirely write down my experience at Cleveland Clinic Florida in a small paragraph. For 4 years, CCF was my home and the staff my family. Looking back, I enjoyed and miss every moment I spent at CCF. The training was exemplary and the teaching staff - world-class. What I highly appreciate was the ease at approaching the teaching staff at any time of the day/night and how collegial they were. I’m sure I have entered Dr. Salgado’s office like 10,000 times and in spite of how busy he was, he attended to my questions, whether issues related to patients or personal. No words can express and no act of gratitude can relay for everything Dr. Salgado has done for me and the program. Having friendly subspecialists in all fields of neurology and an amazing neuro-interventional, neurosurgery and neuroradiology staff always came handy. We had an interesting array of high volume complex cases and we became comfortable with managing critically ill neurology patients early on in our training, which was one of the highlights of my program. It has trained me to be strong and prepared me to do my fellowship at a busy neurocritical care unit.
I have to especially thank Dr. Galvez, our charismatic leader/chairman for all the free books, lectures, interesting clinical scenarios and years of experience he has shared with us. I can go on thanking and appreciating all my amazing mentors, teaching and ancillary staff. Last but not least, my favorite person- Belinda, always on top of her game and helped us with all the administrative issues. I’m grateful to have been trained at an amazing place, with people I dearly love.
