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INTRODUCTION AND PHILOSOPHY

The residency program in Vanderbilt’s Department of Neurology is undergoing a significant expansion. Beginning in 2003, the number of residents specializing in adult neurology jumped from four to five per year, while the number of residents specializing in child neurology doubled from one to two. The expansion, which represents a 50 percent increase in trainees, gives the department a total of 18 house staff.

Both adult and child neurology programs are GME approved and are carefully designed to build the basic strengths necessary for a trainee to become an outstanding clinical neurologist, and, for those interested in research, to develop as a first-rate physician-scientist. Unique aspects of Vanderbilt’s program that enrich the training experience include yearly posted basic science and clinical seminar series, regular informal faculty-resident conferences, a full-time dedicated educational specialist, a large teaching faculty, substantial elective time in the second and third years for academic/clinical development, a weekly chairman’s rounds with Dr. Macdonald and a physically adjacent five-hospital system in which to train.

The three-year residency program in clinical neurology leads to certification in adult or child neurology. The aim of the training program is to produce top-notch clinical neurologists wholly prepared to pursue a career as either a physician scientist or a practicing clinician, and to establish a foundation for lifelong learning in neurology and the neurosciences. To accomplish this mission, a flexible didactic program tailored to each trainee’s needs is integrated with extensive practical training in a conveniently clustered five-hospital system. Individual mentoring is a critical component of the program, and a full-time Education Specialist is available to support the department’s educational goals.

The large teaching faculty is a diverse and collaborative group, providing trainees with opportunity to interact with both experienced and junior faculty members, as well as with senior residents. Formal teaching takes place through weekly resident education conferences, Chairman’s conferences, and various sub-specialty conferences; monthly Grand Rounds; two monthly Journal Clubs; and an annual live patient mock board exam. Periodic research dinners add to the atmosphere of collegiality within the department.

The facilities supporting the residency program are centrally located within the uniquely compact Medical Center campus and are only a few minutes walk from one another. Neurology research laboratories occupy an entire floor of the recently built interdepartmental Medical Research Building III, and are distributed throughout the other research buildings. The clinical training experience is enhanced by extensive exposure to inpatient and outpatient care at a variety of facilities, including the Vanderbilt University Hospital, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, the Stallworth Rehabilitation Center, the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Vanderbilt Clinic.

Allowing substantial time for elective study is a key element in the residency program. The fact that all schools at Vanderbilt University are located in one contiguous campus system makes the selection of electives particularly rich. For those wishing to pursue advanced specialty training after completing their residency, numerous fellowship opportunities within the department are available.

The future leaders in neurology research, education, and practice must be prepared to meet the challenges presented by the rapidly expanding body of knowledge in the neurosciences. It is the goal of Vanderbilt’s Neurology residency program to produce such leadership.

To apply for a residency position, candidates are urged to utilize the Central Application Service (CAS) on the San Francisco Matching Program site: http://www.sfmatch.org. Our deadline for application is November 30. Please contact the residency program coordinator at 615-936-1567 with any questions. The Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is actively committed to maintaining a diversified body of residents and fellows in an environment that is dedicated to excellence. To support this mission, travel reimbursement will be offered to selected applicants to the neurology residency and training programs.

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