Residency Training
Clinical Training | Research Opportunities | Eligibility and Selection | Application |
Mission and Overview
The University of Michigan Health System provides funding for an integrated five- year training program in Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology that leads to eligibility for board certification in Pediatrics and Child Neurology.
The first two years are devoted to Pediatric residency training; the curriculum is designed to meet American Board of Pediatrics requirements and will lead to eligibility for Pediatric certification at the end of the final (fifth) year of training.
Candidates for the five-year program must apply both to the Pediatric residency program and the Pediatric Neurology residency training program through NRMP (ERAS application). (Note that although the NRMP ranking for Pediatrics Residency is for a Preliminary position, the ERAS application for the University of Michigan Pediatrics position should be marked as Categorical. The applicant's personal statement should indicate that the application is for the combined five-year Pediatrics-Child Neurology program.)
Training in Pediatric Neurology begins in the third post-graduate year. The three year Pediatric Neurology training program (which is considered a “residency,” according to ACGME guidelines) includes one year of Adult Neurology, one year of clinical Pediatric Neurology, and one year of additional specialized training. The third year of training is designed to meet ACMGE requirements and to provide residents with opportunities for a broad range of electives.
Required third-year rotations include Child Psychiatry (one month), Pediatric Rehabilitation (one month), Neuropathology (one month), and EEG (two months) as well as clinic rotations in Pediatric Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders.
The University of Michigan offers a broad and diverse academic environment. There are many teaching conferences in the Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics. There are excellent established training programs for physicians interested in clinical and basic research.
The three-year program is under the guidance of Steven Leber, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director. Faye Silverstein, M.D. is the Division Director.
Clinical Training
Clinical responsibilities during the Adult Neurology year typically include combination of inpatient consultation and outpatient responsibilities. Residents attend their own weekly Pediatric Neurology continuity clinics during their year of Adult Neurology training.
During the clinical Pediatric Neurology year, on the inpatient service Pediatric Neurology residents function primarily as consultants for pediatric medical and surgical services. There are typically about ten consults per week. The inpatient Pediatric Neurology service is integrated into the general Pediatric service, and includes a Pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit; there are currently about 350 admissions per year. In their senior year, Pediatric Neurology residents are assigned to a formal supervisory role on the inpatient service for at least one rotation.
A major focus of clinical activities and training is in the out-patient setting. We have an active general Pediatric Neurology out-patient clinic with about 6,000 patient visits yearly (2,000 new consultations and 4,000 return visits). Members of our faculty also participate in a broad range of Pediatric Multi-disciplinary Programs and Clinics - for Neuro-oncology, Sleep Disorders, Neuromuscular Disease, Refractory Epilepsy, Autism/Developmental Assessment and High Risk Neonatal follow-up, Childhood Movement Disorders and Neurocutaneous Disorders Specialty Clinics.
During the third year of the training program, obligatory clinical responsibilities include 1/2 day Pediatric Neurology Continuity clinic per week and full participation in the night and week-end call schedule.
More detailed curriculum information is available.
Research Opportunities
The faculty in the Division of Pediatric Neurology - with their areas of special interest and expertise - include:
Martha Carlson M.D., Ph.D.: Developmental disorders and neurogenetics.
James Dowling M.D., Ph.D.: Pediatric neuromuscular disease.
Timothy Hoban M.D.: Pediatric sleep disorders
Sucheta Joshi M.D., M.B.B.S.: Pediatric epilepsy
Steven Leber M.D., Ph.D.: Pediatric headache; Medical informatics
Patricia Robertson M.D.D: Pediatric Neuro-oncology program.
Renée Shellhaas M.D. : Pediatric epilepsy
Faye Silverstein M.D.: Neonatal brain injury; Pediatric neuropharmacology.
Rani Singh, M.D., Pediatric epilepsy.
The first available Pediatric Neurology residency positions are in 2015 (Pediatrics starting in 2013).
The Department of Pediatrics has an NIH training grant to fund basic science training for pediatric sub-specialty fellows; US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for support from this grant for additional training, or conceivably for a period of research training prior to beginning a clinical fellowship.
Eligibility and Selection
Our program will participate in the National Residency Match Program for Pediatric Neurology positions. We have a combined five-year training program Pediatric Neurology with Pediatrics. Applicants should also apply to the University of Michigan Pediatric residency but must apply separately to that program, via the Pediatric match (also through ERAS and NRMP). Refer to Child Neurology NDD Match Update and the Association of University Professors of Neurology website. Our positions are "categorical".
We will coordinate Pediatric and Pediatric Neurology interview schedules of qualified applicants, so that interviews can be arranged on sequential days and will require only one trip to Ann Arbor. Interviews with faculty and residents in Adult and Pediatric Neurology typically require one full day. (Two days for the combined interviews are preferable; however, we can usually accommodate applicants who want to combine interviews for both the Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology programs into one day.)
Candidates for our three-year residency training program must have successfully completed two years of residency training in General Pediatrics in the United States or in Canada. See our detailed Selection Policy. In addition, please view the Graduate Medical Education policy on trainee selection by clicking here.
Application
For any questions about the residency, please contact Dr. Steven Leber. The best way to reach him is via e-mail at leber@med.umich.edu. For questions about the application procedure, contact Teri Behnke:
Phone 734-763-4097
Fax 734-615-5888
E-mail tbehnke@med.umich.edu
Mailing address for Dr. Leber and Teri Behnke:
Division of Pediatric Neurology
8301 MSRB III
1150 W. Medical Center Drive
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5646
