The Department of Neurology and Section or Pediatric Neurology offer a three-year ACGME-accredited residency in Neurology with Special Competence in Child Neurology. Two child neurology residents are accepted each year. Applications are now processed through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
View a full description of thechild neurology residency program.
Overview of Program
Residents begin with one year on the adult neurology service (Adult Neurology Residency Program). During the second and third years, child neurology residents spend a total of 6 months as the child neurology inpatient chief resident and is responsible, along with the attending staff, for managing all primary inpatients and hospital consultations. They also spend six months in the child neurology outpatient clinic, as well as rotating through specialty clinics. Training includes a comprehensive neurophysiology course with 3 months spent in EEG and 2 months spent in EMG. Other required rotations include a 1 month child psychiatry block as well as 2 months of neuropathology. A number of months are dedicated to elective time which includes, amongst others, neuro-ophthalmology, developmental pediatrics, neurobehavioral pediatrics, pediatric rehabilitation medicine, neuro-otolaryngology, and sleep medicine. Electives outside Cleveland Clinic are possible.
The residents conduct a weekly CME-credited Child Neurology Grand Rounds. There is also a daily Noon Conference lecture series, weekly “live patient” conferences and a monthly journal club.
Call
The child neurology resident on-call rotates, on average, every fourth to fifth night. There is no in-house call during the last two years of the program.
Research
In addition to the standard training requirements, residents will be expected to complete at least one clinical or basic research project during each year of the program. Many residents choose to be involved in more than one ongoing clinical research project, including drug development studies and longitudinal studies. There is the opportunity for sponsored travel for those residents who present research projects at scientific meetings. Residents are mentored and encouraged to publish the results of their studies in peer-reviewed journals.
Formal Evaluations During Training
During the program, progress is monitored by monthly reviews as well as by semi-annual evaluations with the Program Director. These semi-annual evaluations include feedback from staff attending faculty, other residents, nurses, clerical staff and patients. Each spring, the American Academy of Neurology administers the Resident In-Service Training Examination, which is intended to simulate the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Certification Examination. Feedback is provided so that residents can assess their strengths and weaknesses towards improvement.
The ABPN also mandates that residents demonstrate competency in clinical skills by successfully completing a series of five formal evaluations. Residents are assessed on their ability to interview and to perform a neurological examination. These evaluations can be performed throughout the three years of neurology residency. Successful completion is required to apply for the certification examinations after completion of the residency.
Prerequisites
Three weeks are allotted for vacation each year. The Department sponsors junior membership in the Academy of Neurology and Child Neurology Society for all residents. During the PGY5 year, three days may be spent away at one professional meeting toward which a stipend can be applied to defray costs. The one meeting limit does not apply to trainees presenting scientific papers, for whom costs of meeting attendance will be defrayed for all such meetings.
Application Requirements
Candidates for the child neurology residency must have completed the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology requirements for pediatric training prior to beginning this training program. Eligibility for training in child neurology requires successful completion of a minimum of two years of training in an ACGME-approved pediatric training program prior to matriculation in this program. All applicants will be expected to complete the entire three years of training in child neurology. At the completion of the program, candidates will be qualified to sit for the certification examinations administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
International Medical Graduates are welcome to apply to the program and must hold a valid ECFMG certificate or provide proof that they are in the process of obtaining a certificate. They must fulfill the ACGME requirements as listed above The Child Neurology Residency Program now participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). More information should be available shortly through the NRMP website. Applications are reviewed by the Program Director, and prospective candidates are contacted by telephone and/or email to schedule an interview in the latter half of the year. Applications should be completed by September 30th.
If you would like to receive additional information about the Child Neurology Residency Program, please fax, mail or email a written request to:
- Gary Hsich, MD
Program Director
Department of Pediatric Neurology, S60
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
- Megan Poeschl
Residency Coordinator
Department of Neurology, S90
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.2945
Fax: 216.445.9908
- neuroeducation@ccf.org