Welcome

Under the leadership of chairman Robert L. Macdonald, M.D., Ph.D., the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is centered on a foundation of academic, clinical, and research excellence. Over the past six years, the faculty has doubled, and major additions to sleep medicine and neurodiagnostics have been implemented. The research program at VUMC, already in the top 20 nationally for NIH funding, is also experiencing tremendous growth, and basic science research has become an integral part of the Neurology Department.

Our Mission

The Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is committed to providing the highest-quality patient care, conducting cutting-edge research, and training the future leaders in neurology.

Patient Care

The Department of Neurology strives to provide the best neurological care to patients and their families, bringing compassion and expertise to the bedside. The department offers comprehensive clinical care to both adult neurology patients and child neurology patients. - The adult neurology services averages 1,700 admissions, 1,400 inpatient consultations and 2,500 emergency department consultations annually. - The pediatric neurology service averages 250 admissions, and 1000 consultations annually.

Research

Vanderbilt Neurologists are continuously striving to promote the advancement of knowledge in the neurosciences through basic and clinical research. Faculty members are currently conducting research in the following areas:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Autonomic Dysfunction - Brain Tumors in Adults and Children - Dystonia - Epilepsy & Seizures - Headache - Multiple Sclerosis - Muscular Dystrophy - Pain – Neuromagnetics - Parkinson’s Diesease - Sleep Disorders - Spasticity - Stroke/Neurocritical Care.

Education

Vanderbilt’s Neurology residency and fellowship training programs are dedicated to producing the future leaders in neurology research, education and practice – neurologists who are prepared to meet the challenges presented by the rapidly expanding body of knowledge in the neurosciences. - The department offers adult and child neurology residency training programs and a broad range of fellowship opportunities, which are carefully designed to build the basic strengths necessary to become an outstanding neurologist. - Trainees are offered a flexible didactic program tailored to their individual needs, extensive practical training, as well as one-on-one mentoring from faculty.