Overview
The Department of Neurology strives to reach three goals: outstanding patient care, education of those who serve, and research. The Department has a full-time professional staff of 70, representing all the major subspecialty areas in Neurology. While each member of the staff has a unique roll to play in the productivity of the Department, all are required to participate in the teaching and mentoring process. The Department of Neurology registers 40,000 outpatient visits per year, 6,000 of which represent new patient visits. There are 1,900 primary neurological admissions to Cleveland Clinic annually, and an additional 3,000 inpatient consultations are rendered annually.
The Department of Neurology supports three ACGME-accredited primary residency programs, including Adult Neurology and Child Neurology. In addition, the Department currently supports four ACGME-accredited post-residency subspecialty training programs, including Clinical Neurophysiology with focus in EMG/Neuromuscular Diseases, Clinical Neurophysiology with focus in EEG/Epilepsy, Clinical Neurophysiology with focus in Sleep Medicine, and Vascular Neurology. In addition, the Department supports three other fellowship programs, including Headache/Pain, Neuroimmunology/Multiple Sclerosis, and Neurointensive Care.
Adult Neurology
The Neurology Residency Program, which is ACGME-accredited, 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.
Curriculum
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. The Residency Review Committee for Neurology and the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) specify that 12 months of general internal medicine training is ideal prior to entry into the three-year neurology residency. This year must include at least eight months of direct patient care in internal medicine, no more than two in emergency medicine, and no more than four in neurology.
First Year of Neurology Residency (PGY-2)
The majority of this year is spent in direct patient care, most of which is in the inpatient setting. Residents spend most of the inpatient months on the two main adult neurology inpatient services: cerebrovascular disease and general neurology. Each inpatient team consists of a senior neurology resident, two junior neurology residents, two or more rotating junior residents from other departments, and two medical students. The on-call schedule during inpatient months averages every fourth-sixth night. Cleveland Clinic uses a module system, with 13 four-week module rotations making up the academic year. In total, a PGY-2 resident has nine inpatient modules and four outpatient modules where they have their weekends off and no call. Longitudinal outpatient clinic is scheduled one-half day per week with a staff preceptor over six month blocks to ensure core subspecialty exposure. Residents spend 8-12 afternoons over the course of their PGY-2 year in lumbar puncture clinics and have the option to be trained to do lumbar punctures using fluoroscopy. Additional imaging training includes a daily neuroradiology conference while on the inpatient services.
PGY-2 Schedule
Inpatient Rotations
- Stroke Neurology: 3 modules
- General Neurology: 3 modules
- Neuro ICU: 1 module
- Epilepsy: 1 module
- Pediatric Consults: 1 module
- Adult Consults: 0.5 modules
Outpatient Rotations
- Elective: 3.5 modules
Second and Third Years of Neurology Residency (PGY-3 and PGY-4)
As a senior resident, one module is spent per year managing the three inpatient services, as well as an additional module in the NICU and on the 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, sleep, and intraoperative monitoring. Residents read EEG records and attend staff reading sessions and epilepsy outpatient clinics. A two week rotation in the EMG laboratory includes didactic sessions as well as hands-on experience in the techniques of nerve conductions studies and the needle electrode examinations. If the resident is interested in further EMG exposure, the rotation can be expanded to three months with the option for certification. Finally, there is a two-module Neuropathology course where residents are able to work directly with our Neuropathologists. Senior residents use a nightfloat call system. This includes a total of seven weeks split between the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years.
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 x 3
Outpatient Rotations
- EMG Course: 1-3modules
- EEG Course: 2-3 modules
- Elective: up to 3 modules
PGY-4 Schedule
Inpatient Rotations
- Stroke Neurology: 1 module
- General Neurology: 1 module
- Adult Consults: 1 module
- Pediatric Consults: 1 module
- Nightfloat: 0.5 modules x two
- Regional Neurology: 1 module
Outpatient Rotations
- Neuropathology: 2 modules
- Pediatric Neurology: 1 module
- 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.
Other Programs
- Clinical Neurophysiology: EEG/Epilepsy Track
- Adult EEG- Epilepsy Program
- Pediatric EEG-Epilepsy Program
- Cognitive Disorders
- EMG/Neuromuscular
- Headache Medicine
- Movement Disorders
- Neuroendovascular/Interventional Neuroradiology
- Neuroimmunology (Multiple Sclerosis)
- Neurocritical Care
- Neuromuscular Medicine
- Neuro-Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Vascular Neurology
Application Process
Application Requirements
No additional documents are required. The deadline for accepting applications directly from ERAS is November 1.
We welcome International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to apply to the Neurology Residency Program. IMGs must hold a valid standard ECFMG certificate or provide proof that they are in the process of obtaining one. Cleveland Clinic sponsors both J-1 and H-1B visas. We also welcome Doctors of Osteopathy to apply to the Neurology Residency Program.
We prefer a minimum score requirement of 220 for USMLE and 500 for COMLEX, but we consider more than just scores when reviewing applications. We do not have a specific year of graduation requirement, but we prefer that candidates are current in their clinical experience.
Upon receipt, applications are reviewed by the Program Director, and then prospective candidates are contacted via telephone and/or e-mail to schedule an interview on a Monday or Friday between November and January.
MaryAnn Mays, MD
Program Director
Department of Neurology, C21
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44195
Megan Nieuwoudt
Residency Program Manager
Department of Neurology, S100A
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave.
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 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
Sana Khan, DO
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: New York Institute of Technology, College of Arts and Sciences
Michelle Lee, MD
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Tiffany Lee, MD
Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Undergraduate: East Carolina University
Payal Patel, MD
Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Nasima Shadbehr, DO
Medical School: College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Erica Utigard, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Cruz
Lucy Zhang, MD
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Class of 2018
Julia Bucklan, DO
Medical School: Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Jenny Feng, MD
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Deborah Kerrigan, MD
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Graduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Undergraduate: Vanderbile University
Steven MacDonald, MD
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Undergraduate: Lake Superior State University
Robert Marquardt, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Kent State University
Prachi Parikh, MBBS
Medical School: Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College
Cory Rice, MD
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Tara Sharma, DO
Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
Graduate: Mount Sinai
Undergraduate: Claremont Mckenna College
Ruta Yardi, MBBS
Medical School: Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences
Ifrah Zawar, MD
Medical School: The Aga Khan University Medical College
Ongoing Activities
Conferences/Didactics:
Cleveland Clinic's 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 Arranged in Topic Driven Months:
- Cerebrovascular/Stroke
- Cognitive/Behavioral/Dementia
- Epilepsy
- Evidence and Action (critical review of evidence-based medicine)
- Headache
- Movement Disorders
- Neuro/Bioethics
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurocritical Care
- Neuroemergencies
- Neurogenetics
- NeuroID
- Neuroimmunology, Rheumatology and MS
- Neuromuscular
- Neuro-oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Neuro-otology
- Neuropathology
- Neurophysiology
- Neuroradiology
- Neurosurgery
- Palliative Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
- PM&R
- Professional development (personal and medical finance, private vs. academic practice, fellowship application process, legal/contracts, etc.)
- Psychiatry
- Research/Stats/Epidemiology (updates with on-going research, statistics, starting research, conducting research, etc.)
- Sleep
- Spine/Spinal Cord
Daily Neuroradiology Rounds (with staff neuroradiologist)
Weekly Conferences Include:
- Cerebrovascular/Stroke Conference
- Epilepsy Grand Rounds
- Epilepsy Patient Management Conference
- Live Patient examination and teaching
- Neurology book chapter review
- Neurology Grand Rounds
- Neuroscience Grand Rounds
- Pediatric Neurology Grand Rounds
- Pediatric Neurology Neuroimaging Conference
Monthly Conferences Include:
- Adult neurology journal club at local restaurants
- Pediatric neurology journal club at local restaurants
- Brain cutting/pathology sessions
- Monthly/bimonthly - RITE/neurology board review
Others:
- Adult & Child Neurology Journal Clubs
- Brain cutting/pathology sessions
- Quarterly Resident Meeting with Dr. Toby Cosgrove, Cleveland Clinic CEO
- Quarterly Neurological Institute Core Conference Series
- Neurology morbidity and mortality rounds
- Monthly meeting with Program Director, Department Chairman and residents
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.
