Adult
Neurology Residency Program
The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine offers fully accredited
graduate medical programs in adult and pediatric neurology. The goal of the
neurology residency program is to develop able, thoughtful neurologists skilled
in clinical analysis, knowledgeable in evaluating and acquiring new medical
information, and adept in managing medical and neurological emergencies. To
meet these objectives, the program stimulates and challenges residents while
providing supervision, support, and constructive evaluation.
Message from the Program Director
The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
at the Feinberg School welcomes your interest in our neurology residency program.
This is an exciting time to consider a career in neurology. The last 10 years
have been marked by remarkable advances in basic neurosciences leading to development
of therapeutic interventions for the neurological conditions that in the past
were thought to be incurable. The goal of our department is to train capable
and caring neurologists who will be able to pursue a career in clinical or
basic science neurology in the 21st century. Neurology at Northwestern has
a rich tradition of excellence in clinical care, research, and education. The
department, headed by John A. Kessler, MD, has a commitment to training the
next generation of neurologists by providing broad expertise in all subspecialty
areas of neurology and being at the forefront of the neurosciences. We
are proud to eb ranked among the top 15 institutions nationally in neurology
and neurosurgery by US News and World Report.
The department is organized into divisions that represent all major subspecialties
in neurology. Each division has a clinical and research core in its structure.
The following programs as well as others assure that residents get solid training
in all subspecialty areas of neurology:
- The ALS Center, one of the largest in the country, is the leader in research
in neurogenetics of motor neuron diseases. Residents participate in the ALS
and neuromuscular clinics and may participate in basic science and clinical
research projects.
- The 8-bed inpatient stroke unit provides the environment for training in
the latest therapeutic approaches for cerebrovascular diseases.
- The comprehensive epilepsy center, with an active clinic for complicated
seizure patients and an inpatient monitoring unit, is developing a surgical
program.
- The sleep center, recently expanded to 12 beds, conducts 1,200 sleep studies
a year.
- The Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center has an active memory
disorders clinic; the focus of research is brain mapping and functional neuroimaging.
- The multiple sclerosis clinic cares for a large number of patients while
conducting clinical research.
- The focus of interest of the movement disorders center is experimental
therapeutics.
While the first year is focused on development of skills in general neurology,
the second and third years may be structured to meet the specific interests
of residents, and the choice of electives can be tailored to their individual
career interests.
The philosophy of the department is to provide a nurturing and supportive
environment while holding high expectations from the trainees. Applicants are
expected to bring a genuine interest in the field, the energy and enthusiasm
to maximize opportunities for acquiring clinical experience, and the motivation
to pursue their own personal development. The department upholds the highest
standards of clinical expertise, founded in genuine respect and compassion
for patients. This same respect for the welfare of patients dictates an educational
system involving graded responsibility in which residents assume increasing
roles in patient care consistent with their increasing abilities.
We welcome your interest in our program. Please refer to the application section
to find out about application process.
Tanya Simuni, MD
Message from the Chief Residents
Jim Conners, MD, MS
Hometown: LaGrange Park, IL
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Career Plans: Vascular Neurology Fellowship
Over the past few years at Northwestern, I can confidently say that I have
been excellently trained and that I will be more than ready for the next step
in my career in Neurology. Given the fact that we are a tertiary care center
in a major metropolitan city, we are exposed to a vast array of pathologies.
Our residency experience at the downtown hospital is complemented by Children’s
Memorial Hospital, a VA, and the community-based Evanston Hospital. After
rotating through these four hospitals, there is very little that you will not
be exposed to by the end of your residency. This, coupled with our faculty,
makes for a great overall experience.
Our chairman is intimately involved in the training of the residents on a
near daily basis, which is a rarity that we all appreciate. Our program director
is a true advocate for the residents and is always open to any suggestions
that may improve the program as a whole. The department is well balanced in
representing all of the subspecialties within Neurology and the attendings
are extremely approachable with a commitment to teaching. Overall, the
department is thriving and being able to train in the heart of a vibrant city
like Chicago makes the program all the more appealing.
Rajeev Garg, MD
Hometown: Spring Valley, IL
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School
Career Plans: Neurocritical Care Fellowship
It is with great pleasure that I’d like to welcome you to the Department
of Neurology at Northwestern University in Chicago. You are about to join an
exciting field that will challenge your skills as a clinician and neuroscientist.
Being in my final year of residency, I can say without hesitation that the
faculty at Northwestern are dedicated to providing you a strong foundation
for your future career as a neurologist.
Starting with the chairman of our department who moderates our daily
morning report, to our program director who helps organize our faculty noon
lectures, the philosophy of this department is first and foremost that of providing
its residents with an outstanding clinical and educational experience. On daily
work rounds, you have the opportunity to learn from faculty that are both nationally
and internationally renowned in their sub-specialties. Most importantly, all
of this takes place in a supportive environment where there is a strong camaraderie
amongst the residents, and where learning is kept at the highest priority.
As a part of Northwestern, you not only benefit from the faculty, but
also a first rate institution that centers on a highly efficient new state-of-the-art
tertiary care hospital. The nursing staff is excellent, having been awarded
the Magnet award, the highest honor given to an institution for nursing professionalism.
Even beyond this, everyday Northwestern is growing with the opening of the
new Lurie Medical Research Center, the new Prentice Women’s Hospital,
and plans for the new Children’s Memorial Hospital.
Living in Chicago has truly been a great experience. As a resident, you
will definitely need time to relax on your day off. Whether it is going to
a local museum, sitting on the beach by the lake, or going shopping on the
Magnificent Mile, there is always something to do in Chicago for everyone.
And being in the heart of downtown, you have access to all of these within
a few blocks from the hospital.
I am proud to have received my training at Northwestern, and will be
staying here for fellowship training in Neurocritical care. I welcome all of
you to experience Northwestern first hand.
Adult Neurology Residency Program
The department recruits five residents in adult neurology each year. The program
stresses a spirit of cooperation and especially espouses the development of
strong teaching relationships among the most senior and most junior residents.
The residency program is largely orchestrated by the residents themselves.
The chief resident manages the day-to-day administration of the program with
direction from the chief of service and residency program director.
Preliminary Year
The program guarantees a position in the preliminary medicine program either
at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or Evanston Hospital for all the applicants
who matched for neurology. A separate interview is not required, but a visit
can be arranged upon request. However, applicants must apply through the National
Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and list NMH and ENH in the supplementary
rank last. See the Application Guidelines section for more information.
Junior Residents
The objectives of the first year of neurology are to develop proficiency in
neurological examinations and to learn the basis of neuroanatomy and neurological
differential diagnosis. During this year, inpatient neurology rotations on
the adult services at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, VA Chicago Health Care
System, and Evanston Hospital provide the core of clinical experience. Residents
assist in caring for a variety of patients, developing skills in evaluating
primary neurological disorders and nervous system complications of general
medical problems. Neurology residents also gain experience as consultants in
the emergency room and hospital. A senior resident and faculty member supervise
junior residents on inpatient and consultation services throughout the year.
A continuity clinic begins in the first year; all junior residents have a block
of outpatient subspecialty clinics at the beginning of the year. Other clinic
experiences are added in later years.
Senior Residents
Inpatient experience continues in the second and third years but to a lesser
extent than the first year. Residents spend more time in supervisory roles
and more specialized activities. In addition to general neurology continuity-of-care
clinics, second- and third-year residents have subspecialty ambulatory care
rotations that provide opportunities to participate in the care of unique patient
populations. Subspecialty clinic options include cognitive and behavioral neurology,
stroke, dizziness, movement disorders, epilepsy, sleep disorders, neuromuscular
disorders and ALS, brain tumor, headache, and chronic pain. A child neurology
rotation also is part of the inpatient experience.
During the second and third years, approximately 11 months of elective time
is available, designed to provide opportunities for training in clinical neurophysiology,
neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurological surgery, psychiatry, neurological
rehabilitation, and/or other areas of particular interest to the resident.
Working with a faculty adviser, each resident develops an elective program
to meet his or her long-term educational goals.
During the three-year program, residents are encouraged to participate in
the department's research programs in clinical or laboratory investigation.
These experiences aid their ability to critically evaluate research studies
and published literature and gain an appreciation for this important part of
neurology. Presenting results at a national meeting and publishing in peer-reviewed
journals are encouraged and supported by the department.
On-call Duties
All residents participate in on-call duties throughout the three-year neurology
program. Residents spend approximately two-thirds of their time on the Chicago
campus, where they take in-house call every fourth or fifth night during the
first year of training, every fifth or sixth night during the second year,
and once a month during the third year. A senior resident takes in-house calls
with and supervises junior residents. Thus, the junior resident's on-call responsibilities
are graded, supervised, and structured to emphasize the academic and learning
aspects of the experience. Residents on rotation at Children's Memorial and
Evanston Hospitals take calls from home.
Outpatient Clinics
Residents are responsible for continuity clinics beginning in their first
year. They are assigned to the clinic at VA Lakeside and Northwestern Memorial.
During the second and third years, residents rotate through outpatient subspecialty
and general neurology clinics and have experience in neurologists' private
offices. Pediatric fellows attend clinics at Children's Memorial. Clinics are
supervised by attending physicians to provide a valuable educational experience.
Teaching Conferences
The department chair conducts daily morning report.
Weekly conferences include:
- Grand Rounds (Tuesday 12NN)
- Basic Science course (Fridays 7-9AM)
- Chair Clinical Rounds (Wednesday 12NN)
- Clinical Case Conferences with Neuroradiology
(Thursday 7.30AM)
- Subspecialty Clinical Conferences (Thursday
12NN)
- Chief Resident Conference (Monday 12NN)
Monthly conferences include:
- Journal Club
- Brain Cutting
- Clinicopathological Conference (CPC)
Each division holds subspecialty conferences that residents are encouraged
to attend during their elective rotations. A sample of the weekly conference
schedule is presented below. The full schedule of conferences is available
through the calendar. The department holds residents to the highest academic
standards. The department holds an Annual Residents' Research day where the
senior residents present their research projects. The residents are encouraged
to present their work at regional and national conferences.
Fellowships offered at Northwestern
Postgraduate career paths for the Program graduates
Class of 2006
Clinical neurophysiology (Northwestern) – 1
Clinical neurophysiology (Emory) - 1
Sleep medicine (Northwestern) -2
Postgraduate Research Training/ Junior Faculty (Northwestern)-1
Class of 2005
Clinical neurophysiology (Northwestern) – 1
Clinical neurophysiology (Rush)) - 1
Movement disorders (Rush) -1
Sleep medicine (Northwestern) -1
Class of 2004
Clinical neurophysiology (Northwestern) - 1
Movement disorders (UCLA) -1
Stroke/ intravascular radiology (Henry Ford) -1
Class of 2003
Clinical neurophysiology (Northwestern) - 2
Sleep fellowship (Northwestern) -1
Neuromuscular (Stanford) - 1
Class of 2002
Clinical neurophysiology (Northwestern) -1
Stroke (Oregon-OSHU) -1
Neuromuscular (Washington University) - 1
Developmental pediatric neurology (CMH)-1
Pediatric Neurology Residency Program
The first year of training in pediatric neurology consists of six months each
in adult and child neurology. The second and third years emphasize inpatient
and ambulatory care services at Children's Memorial Hospital. Elective time
is provided to gain experience in other activities according to the goals of
the individual resident. The resident also spends three months on the adult
neurology service during the second and third years to complete the required
year of adult neurology. Call is taken at Children's Memorial.
Clinical Facilities
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the primary teaching hospital
of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. The state-of-the-art
492-bed medical facility was opened in 1999. The medical staff of more than
1,000 physicians have clinical faculty appointments at the medical school.
Consistently rated by the patients as the most preferred hospital in Chicago,
Northwestern Memorial is noted for outstanding primary as well as tertiary
care. All specialties of medicine are well represented here. The hospital has
a dedicated neurointensive care unit and a six-bed acute stroke unit. A 2001
survey named Northwestern Memorial the number-one hospital in the Chicago area
for the neurosciences. http://www.nmh.org/index.html
- VA Chicago Health Care System, is an integral part of the
neurology residency training program. Residents rotate on the inpatient consult
neurology services and participate in outpatient clinics. VA Chicago provides
exposure to unique neurological pathology, allowing training in management
of chronic neurological conditions.
- Evanston Hospital, located near the main campus of Northwestern
University in Evanston, is a 420-bed tertiary care teaching facility.
The medical staff of the neurology department hold faculty appointments at
the medical school. The neurology department is known for its neuro-oncology,
epilepsy, functional movement disorders, and surgical programs and for basic
science research in neuroimmunology and neuro-oncology. Residents are introduced
to these areas in rotations during their second and third years. http://www.enh.org
- Children's Memorial Hospital is a 248-bed pediatric referral
center located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood three miles from the medical
school campus. It provides the venue for comprehensive training in child neurology
for the adult neurology residents and is the main teaching facility for the
pediatric neurology fellows. The neurology department is renowned for its comprehensive
epilepsy program, MDA, and neurodevelopmental clinics. http://www.childrensmemorial.org/
Salary/Benefits
Northwestern offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Residents have
four weeks of vacation, including a week for educational conference if desired.
A stipend is provided for residents who make presentations at national meetings.
Limited housing for residents is available on the Northwestern campus. More
information can be obtained from Graduate Medical Education, http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/gme/index.htm,
and from the Northwestern University housing office, http://www.stuaff.northwestern.edu/grad_and_off/
GOCH/Front_Porch.html.
Chicago
Northwestern Memorial is located in the heart of the city, one block from
the historic Water Tower. With a population of seven million, the city is the
cultural, commercial, and industrial center of Midwest. The city offers a wealth
of cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. To find out more
about the city, see http://www.cityofchicago.org/.
Application Guidelines
Six positions are offered in each of the three years of the adult neurology
residency program, and two positions in pediatric neurology are available
each year. Female and underrepresented minority candidates are especially encouraged
to apply.
Residents may enter the adult neurology program after completing at least
one year in an approved internal medicine preliminary program or a transitional
program with at least eight months of internal medicine. All applicants who
have matched for the Northwestern neurology program are guaranteed a position
in the preliminary medicine program either at Northwestern Memorial Hospital http://www.medicine.northwestern.edu,
or Evanston Hospital, http://www.enh.org.
A separate interview for the preliminary position is not required, but applicants
apply through NRMP. More information is available from Program Coordinator, Kristin Boyd at kristin-boyd@northwestern.edu.
All applications are processed through the National Resident Matching
Program (NrMP). Taking place in March, the NRMP Match processes
all applicants who wish to start their PGY-2 residency training
in July of the following year. To participate in the Match, complete
the NRMP online registration form. Registration forms and further information
about the application process are available from:
National Resident Matching
Program
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037-1127
Phone 206-517-5838, Fax 202/828-4797
http://www.nrmp.org
Applications are reviewed early in the fall after the following documentation
is received:
We will only accept applications through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application
Service)
- Completed and signed Application forms
- Dean's letter
- USMLE scores
- ECGMG certificate (only international medical graduates)
- College and Medical school transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Interviews, held during October, November, December, are by invitation only.
During the visit, applicants meet with members of the faculty and the current
residents and tour the facility. The department's selections are submitted
to NRMP.
Physician Scientist Training Program
The Department of Neurology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of
Medicine is a participant in the PSTP. Comprised of over 60 faculty members
at 3 institutions, there are a diverse range of research opportunities for
interested applicants.
The goal of the Neurology Department PSTP is to provide research opportunities,
career guidance, and protected and integrated research time during the completion
of the traditional requirements for board certification in neurology to facilitate
the transition from training to productive careers in biomedical research.
At the completion of training the PSTP Scholar will be prepared and eligible
to pursue a career as both a physician-scientist and a board-certified Neurologist. The
program is highly-individualized, but the basic structure will involve a graduated
progression from clinical work to research-related activities.
Clinical Training
The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine offers fully accredited
graduate medical programs in adult and pediatric neurology. The goal of the
neurology residency program is to develop able, thoughtful neurologists skilled
in clinical analysis, knowledgable in evaluating and acquiring new medical
information, and adept in managing medical and neurological emergencies. The
PSTP scholar will complete the required clinical rotations for board certification,
but the elective components of training will be arranged to ensure maximization
of research opportunities and career development.
Research Training
Research training will be completed under the mentorship of any faculty member
at Northwestern University. Within the Neurology Department on the Chicago
Campus, there are 7 laboratory-based clinician-scientists and 6 PhD scientists
with laboratory programs exploring areas such as stem cell biology, neurodevelopment,
the genetic basis of ALS, neurodegeneration, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s
disease. In addition to the opportunities to perform cutting edge neurology
research with these faculty members, the Department is closely affiliated with
the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, NUIN, an
umbrella program with over 160 faculty members conducting neuroscience research.
Nuin Website: http://www.northwestern.edu/nuin/
Applicants will be encouraged to interview potential research mentors before
or early during their clinical training. Final selection of a research mentor
will be made with the assistance of the program mentor. During research
training, a mentoring committee consisting of the program mentor, research
mentor and at least one other faculty member knowledgeable in the chosen area
of research will be formed to assess the trainee and ensure progress towards
independence.
Financial Support
Trainees in the PSTP are guaranteed support for their clinical training years
and three years of research training. Trainees in their research years will
be encouraged, with the support of their research mentor, to seek outside support
to help facilitate their transition to independence. In addition to salary
support for postgraduate years one through six as stipulated by the Office
of Graduate Medical Education, the following financial support will be provided
to trainees:
- Year 1 (Junior Residency ) $4,000 to provide support for travel to a national
meeting, journals, etc.
- Year 2 (PGY-3Junior Residency) $4,000 to support for travel to a national
meeting, journals, etc.
- Year 3 (PGY-4 Residency) $7,000 to support travel to a national meeting,
journals, etc.
- Year 4–6 (research) $15,000/yr to supplement stipend; $5,000/yr to
support travel, journals, etc.
Biographical Sketch of Current PTSP Participant here
Department Officials
- John A. Kessler, MD
Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor of Neurology
Chair, Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical
Neurological Sciences
- Tanya Simuni, MD
Residency Program Director
Chiefs of Hospital Services
- John A. Kessler, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Leon G. Epstein, MD
Children's Memorial Hospital
- Nicholas A. Vick, MD
Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals
- Jack M. Rozental, MD, PhD
VA Chicago Health Care System
Additional Information
For further information, contact:
Kristin Boyd, Residency Program Coordinator
Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological
Sciences
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
710 North Lake Shore Drive, 11th floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611-4542
Phone 312/503-1398
kristin-boyd@northwestern.edu
http://www.neurology.northwestern.edu/
FAQs
Are there any special requirements for IMG's?
If you are an international medical graduate, you must be ECFMG certified
at the time of application and have one year of US clinical experience.
How many IMGs do you currently have?
We currently have two.
What type of visas do you sponsor?
We sponsor J1 visas.
Is there a medical school graduation year cutoff?
No, we do not have a cutoff.
When is your deadline?
Our deadline is October 31st.
When will you be conducting interviews?
November, December, and January
How many positions do you have?
We have six positions available.
Do you have any openings for 2007?
No, and we do not anticipate having any unexpected openings.
What is the minimum score for USMLE Step 1 & 2?
205 is the cutoff.
How does your integrated program work?
We guarantee positions in our preliminary medicine training program for
the applicants who match with us. However, applicants must submit a separate
application via ERAS.
Does your program participate in couples match?
Yes
What are the qualities you are looking for among applicants?
High academic aptitude, the ability to work hard and be a productive member
of the team, strive for knowledge, but by far the most important quality is
commitment to and love of neurology.
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