Message from Program Leadership
Cleveland Clinic Neurology Residency Program is a premier resident-centric training program that provides learners with unparalleled opportunities to develop the skills necessary to excel as clinical neurologists, educators and researchers. The program provides a supportive and innovative learning environment. The curriculum includes broad exposure to key areas of inpatient and outpatient neurology while maintaining flexibility to individualize clinical and research experiences based on each resident’s goals.
A diverse patient population offers challenging clinical experiences spanning the spectrum of neurological diseases. Our multidisciplinary model of care provides collaborative, patient-centered care emphasizing teamwork, communication and safety. Residents are highly engaged in efforts to improve quality of patient care through evaluation of patient outcomes.
Our categorical training program includes early exposure to neurology with three months of neurology and one month of psychiatry during the first year of internal medicine training. Our inpatient services focus on increasing autonomy and responsibility throughout residency to promote the development of confidence, independence and leadership skills. A unique subspecialty longitudinal clinic ensures all residents have similar learning experiences. Residents are allowed ten months of elective time—beginning in the PGY-2 year—to explore areas of potential interest.
Faculty members from every subspecialty of neurology are committed to providing exceptional clinical education and research mentorship. All faculty and senior residents have opportunities within the Cleveland Clinic to further develop teaching skills through formal curriculum including experiential learning. A research support structure ensures that every resident has the opportunity to contribute to advancing knowledge in the field of neurology.
MaryAnn Mays, MD
Program Director
M. Alissa Willis, MD
Associate Program Director
Kerry Levin, MD
Chair, Department of Neurology
Curriculum
Program Description
The Neurology Residency Program, which is ACGME-accredited, accepts candidates through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). There are ten categorical positions offered per year in our four-year program, including an integrated prelim internal medicine year at Cleveland Clinic.
First Year of Residency (PGY-1)
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) requires that the PGY-1 year be spent in an accredited medical training program. Our categorical program seamlessly integrates this introduction to medicine during the PGY-1 year while also fulfilling other ABPN requirements such as the psychiatry rotation. This year also includes three months on stroke, general and consult neurology services to facilitate integration into the neurology department.
First Year of Neurology Residency (PGY-2)
During the PGY-2 year, the focus is on direct patient care. Residents spend most of the inpatient months on the two main adult neurology inpatient services: stroke and general neurology supplemented with exposure to the neuro ICU (NICU) and epilepsy services. The inpatient team consists of a senior neurology resident, junior neurology residents, and medical students.
Cleveland Clinic uses a module system, with 13 four-week module rotations making up the academic year. The on-call schedule during inpatient months is a nightfloat system. In total, a PGY-2 resident has nine inpatient modules and four outpatient modules where he or she has weekends off and no call.
To ensure early, out-patient neurology exposure, all PGY3 have three months of elective in addition to a longitudinal outpatient clinic. This clinic is scheduled one-half day per week with a staff preceptor over six month blocks to ensure core subspecialty exposure.
Second and Third Years of Neurology Residency (PGY-3 and PGY-4)
A senior resident spends one module per year managing the three inpatient services, as well as an additional module in the NICU and epilepsy service. The remaining time is split between electives and three academic courses. A two-month EEG/epilepsy rotation features an in-depth course covering EEG, evoked potentials, and intraoperative monitoring. Residents read EEG records and attend staff reading sessions and epilepsy outpatient clinics. A one month rotation in the EMG laboratory includes didactic sessions, as well as hands-on experience in the techniques of nerve conductions studies and needle electrode examinations. Finally, there is a two-module neuropathology course where residents are able to work directly with our neuropathologists. Senior residents use a nightfloat system which includes a total of five weeks (three weeks during the PGY3 year and two weeks during the PGY4 year).
PGY-2 Schedule
Inpatient Rotations
- Stroke Neurology: 3 modules*
- General Neurology: 3 modules
- Neuro ICU: 1 module
- Epilepsy: 1 module
- Adult Consults: 0.5 modules
Outpatient Rotations
- Pediatric Clinic: 1 module
- Elective: 3.5 modules
PGY-3 Schedule
Inpatient Rotations
- Stroke Neurology: 1 module
- General Neurology: 1module
- Adult Consults: 1 module
- Neuro ICU: 1 module
- Epilepsy: 1 module
- Nightfloat: 0.5 modules
Outpatient Rotations
- EMG Course: 0.5 modules
- EEG Course: 2 modules
- Elective: 3 modules
PGY-4 Schedule
Inpatient Rotations
- General Neurology: 1 module
- Adult Consults: 1 module
- Pediatric Consults: 1 module
- Nightfloat: 0.5 modules
- Regional Neurology: 1 module
Outpatient Rotations
- Neuropathology: 2 modules
- Elective: 5 modules
*a module is a four week rotation.
Elective Rotations
Trainees in Neurology can choose from a vast array of elective rotations. Residents with particular research interests may use multiple blocks of elective time to devote to specific projects. For special academic pursuits, residents may spend elective time away from Cleveland Clinic, upon approval from the Program Director. The below list is not all-inclusive, as residents have done electives in a variety of fields.
- Autonomic Disorders
- Carotid Ultrasound/TCD
- Cognitive Disorders
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- EEG
- EMG/Neuromuscular
- Evoked Potentials
- Headache
- Movement Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Neuro-Infectious Disease
- Neuroradiology
- Pain Management
- Palliative Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Regional Neurology
- Research
- Rheumatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Stroke
Formal Evaluations During Training
As part of the residency requirement, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, requires each resident to satisfactorily complete five clinical skills evaluation exercises (NEX). These examinations are designed to assess the residents’ competency in medical interviewing, neurologic examination, humanistic qualities, professionalism and counseling skills. Each resident will be observed and evaluated by one of our faculty members in five different areas: critical care, neuromuscular, ambulatory, neurodegenerative and child neurology. Following each encounter, discussion and feedback from the faculty member will be given to the resident. These NEX exams will take place during the PGY-2, PGY-3 and early part of the PGY-4 years. During each of the training years, residents take the RITE written self-assessment examination provided by the American Academy of Neurology.
Benefits
Senior residents are permitted to moonlight on the Neurology, Epilepsy and NICU services. Residents are provided with the opportunity to attend national meetings to present their research, with financial support from the department. The department also sponsors junior membership in the American Academy of Neurology for all residents. Three weeks are allotted for vacation each year.
Fellowship Programs
- Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry (Las Vegas and Cleveland)
- Clinical Neurophysiology
- Clinical Neurophysiology, EEG & Epilepsy
- Epilepsy
- Headache Medicine
- Movement Disorders
- Neurocritical Care
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuromuscular Medicine
- Neuro-Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Vascular Neurology
Application Process
Application Requirements
Our ACGME-accredited Neurology Program accepts candidates through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). There are ten positions offered per year in our four year (PGY-1 to PGY-4) program which includes a required first year in Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. There is no need to apply separately to Internal Medicine. Cleveland Clinic sponsors both J-1 and H-1B visas. We also welcome Doctors of Osteopathy to apply to the Neurology Residency Program.
Preferences
- We prefer USMLE scores Steps I and II >220
- We prefer COMLEX scores Steps I and II >500
- Applicants may submit either USMLE or COMLEX scores; taking both tests is not required
- We prefer that applicants have graduated from medical school within the past 5 years
Minimum Requirements
- International Medical Graduates must possess a valid ECFMG certificate by rank list submission
- International Medical Graduates must have at least one month of U.S. clinical experience (includes acting internship or observership)
- U.S. Medical Students must have passed USMLE I and sat for the USMLE II by November of the year applying through ERAS
We begin accepting applications in September per the ERAS timelines and our deadline for applications is November 1. Invitations to interview are sent out after the Deans Letters are received. Prospective candidates are contacted via telephone and/or email to schedule an interview on a Monday or Friday between November and January.
Program Contacts
MaryAnn Mays, MD
Program Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave / C21
Cleveland, OH 44195
M. Alissa Willis, MD
Associate Program Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave / U10
Cleveland, OH 44195
Megan Nieuwoudt
Residency Program Manager
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave / S100A
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.2945
Fax: 216.445.9908
Email: nieuwom@ccf.org
Current Residents
Education has been an integral component of Cleveland Clinic's mission since its inception in 1921. As a part of that overall commitment to education, below are the recognized current neurology residents who value the importance of providing the highest quality of medical care.
Adult Neurology Residents
Class of 2022
Moein Amin, MD
Medical School: Griffith University School of Medicine, Australia
Undergraduate: Melbourne University, Australia
Nirmal Andrapalliyal, MD
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
David Baker, DO
Medical School: College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Pomona
Undergraduate: University of California San Diego
Pradeep Chandan, DO
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of British Columbia, Canada
Andrew Dhawan, MD
Medical School: Queen’s University, Faculty of Medicine, Canada
Graduate: University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Undergraduate: University of Waterloo, Canada
Jeremy Hill, MD
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Joshua Rim, MD
Medical School: State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Graduate: Drexel University
Undergraduate: Williams College
Joshua Santucci, MD
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
Aaron Shoskes, DO
Medical School: Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
Undergraduate: University of Denver
Kristopher Southard, MD
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Kansas
Class of 2021
Alise Carlson, MD
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Undergraduate: St. Olaf College
Jennifer Chima, MD
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Tracey Fan, DO
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Utah
Eric Gruenthal, MD
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Graduate: Union Graduate College
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Ahmad Mahadeen, MD
Medical School: Mu'Tah University, Jordan
Bhageeradh Mulpur, MD
Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Meghan Purohit, DO
Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Emory University
Danielle Richards, DO
Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Puget Sound
Monica Scarsella, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Gannon University
Michael Zatt, DO
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Miami University
Class of 2020
Peter Brown, DO
Medical School: Western Univ of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Med of the Pacific
Graduate: Georgetown University
Undergraduate: Oregon State University
Lacy (Sam) Handshoe, DO
Medical School: University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Eastern Kentucky University
Catherine Hassett, DO
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Graduate: Tufts University
Undergraduate: Fairfield University
Jean Khoury, MD
Medical School: Université Saint-Joseph Faculté de Médecine, Lebanon
Ibrahim Migdady, MD
Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
Matthew Ritch, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Lindsay Ross, MD
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina
Elizabeth Spurgeon, MD
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Andrea Welborn, MD
Medical School: The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Undergraduate: Salem College
Chen Yan, MD
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Class of 2019
Justin Abbatemarco, MD
Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Pennsylvania State University
Amelia Carwin, MD, MA
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Graduate: Georgetown University
Undergraduate: George Washington University
Samuel Cohn, MD
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Michelle Lee, MD
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Erica Parrotta, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Cruz
Payal Patel, MD
Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Tiffany Pike-Lee, MD
Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Undergraduate: East Carolina University
Nasima Shadbehr, DO
Medical School: College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Sana Syed, DO
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: New York Institute of Technology, College of Arts and Sciences
Lucy Zhang, MD
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Ongoing Activities
Conferences/Didactics
The Cleveland Clinic Neurology Residency Program offers an extensive schedule of didactic and continuing medical education lecture series and conferences for trainees and staff including:
Daily (M-F) Noon Conference Series
- Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy
- Disease Pathophysiology and Management
- Professional Development
- Research, Statistics, Epidemiology
- Quality Improvement Series
Daily Neuroradiology Rounds
- Interpret Imaging Studies with a Staff Neuroradiologist
- Apply Neuroanatomy to Clinical Practice
Weekly Conferences
- Neurology Grand Rounds
- Cerebrovascular Conference
- Epilepsy Grand Rounds
- Epilepsy Patient Management Conference
- Pediatric Neurology Grand Rounds
- Pediatric Neurology Neuroimaging Conference
Other Conferences
- Adult & Child Neurology Journal Clubs
- Brain-Cutting/Pathology Sessions
- Quarterly Resident Meeting with Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic, Cleveland Clinic CEO
- Quarterly Neurological Institute Core Conference Series
- Neurology Morbidity and Mortality Rounds
- Monthly Meeting with Program Director, Department Chairman and Residents
- Joint Neurology/Infectious Disease Conference
- Monthly Quality Improvement Conference
Visiting Professor
Visiting professors are selected through subspecialty departments. This individual, a neurologist of international stature, gives a keynote speech and participates in educational activities with the residents.
Away Conferences
In addition to the above conferences, residents are encouraged to attend and present at national meetings. A generous travel policy by the Neurological Institute supports and promotes these functions.
