C. S. Mott Children's Hospital

University of Michigan Health System

Neurology: Residency Training

Clinical Training | Research Opportunities | Eligibility and Selection | Application | Supervision Policy


Current Residents

  • Beata Ruprecht (HO V)
  • Elia Pestana Knight (HO IV)

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 through NRMP (ERAS application) and to the Pediatric Neurology residency training program (San Francisco residency matching 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 direction of Faye Silverstein, M.D.


Clinical Training

Clinical responsibilities during the Adult Neurology year typically include 3 months on the Inpatient Service and the remainder of the time spent in the Outpatient Clinic and/or Consultation Service. Residents attend their own weekly Pediatric Neurology continuity clinics during their year of Adult Neurology training.

During the clinical Pediatric Neurology year, on the In-patient service Pediatric Neurology residents function as consultants for pediatric medical and surgical services. There are typically about ten consults per week. The in-patient Pediatric Neurology service is integrated into the general Pediatric service, and includes a Pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit; there are currently about 300 admissions per year. 

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 5,000 patient visits yearly. Members of our faculty participate in a broad range of Pediatric Multi-disciplinary clinics - for Neuro-oncology, Sleep Disorders, Neuromuscular Disease, Refractory Epilepsy, Developmental Assessment and High Risk Neonatal follow-up; third year Pediatric Neurology residents are encouraged to participate in these clinics, as well.

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.

Renee Shellhaas M.D. (effective October, 2007): Pediatric epilepsy

Faye Silverstein M.D.: Neonatal brain injury; Pediatric neuropharmacology.

Elizabeth Garofalo M.D.: adjunct faculty member; Pediatric epilepsy.

The current Pediatric Neurology residents are:

Dr. Beata Ruprecht
Dr. Elia Pestana-Knight

Positions for 2008 and 2009 have been filled; the first available Pediatric Neurology residency position is in 2010.

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 San Francisco match for Pediatric Neurology positions. Applicants who are interested in applying to the University of Michigan Pediatric residency must apply separately to that program, and to the Pediatric match. 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. The option of a combined training program in Pediatrics and in Pediatric Neurology is currently available.

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. Faye Silverstein. The best way to reach her is via e-mail at fsilvers@med.umich.edu. For questions about the application procedure, contact Teri Behnke:

Phone 734-763-4097
Fax 734-764-4279
E-mail tbehnke@med.umich.edu
Mailing address for Dr. Silverstein 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


Supervision Policy

The Pediatric Neurology residency follows the Graduate Medical Education policy on resident supervision. To view the policy, please click here.