Academic Program

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology require 36 months of training in Neurology after completion of one year internship in internal medicine.

During their training, residents spend approximately 10 months in the ward service, 4 in the consult service, 2 in the neuro-intensive-care unit, 3 in pediatric neurology, 2 in ambulatory neurology, 2 in EEG, 2 in EMG, and typically 1 month in each of the following: movement disorders, neuropathology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neuro-rehab, neuro-ophthalmology, psychiatry, and research.

(See Structure of the residency program, Conferences/courses, and Research opportunities).

Rotations

• Year 1

  During the first year of training, residents typically serve 8 to 10 one-month rotations at Hahnemann University Hospital, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Fitzgerald Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia where they will be able to participate in the diagnoses and management of complicated neurological problems within an acute care setting.

• Year 2

  During the 2nd year of training, the resident serves as consultant to the medical and surgical services for 2-4 months at Hahnemann University Hospital under the direct supervision of the attending physician. Subspecialty training typically begins in the 2nd year. Residents spend 3 months in pediatric neurology training at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.

  During the neuropathology rotation, residents have daily slide interpretation sessions, learn both classic and advanced neuropathological techniques, and participate in frozen-section analysis under the supervision of Drexel University College of Medicine muscle pathologist and neuropathologist.

  A comprehensive program in electrophysiology has been instituted at all levels of residency training. Residents are taught the fundamentals of electromyography and electroencephalography in the early part of their tenure so that they can take full advantage of intensive EEG and neuromuscular rotations. At least two full months are devoted to the interpretation of EEGs and evoked potentials during the residency. Clinical muscle physiology and the techniques of nerve conduction velocity determination and needle EMG are mastered during the neuromuscular rotation.

  A one-month ambulatory care rotation is structured so the resident can participate in a variety of specialty and private outpatient clinics (MS and Movement Disorder).

• Year 3

  Residents may serve as chief/senior resident for four to six months at Drexel University College of Medicine. During their third year, many residents have a free elective period that they can use to gain added experience in a subspecialty, depending on their clinical interests, or that they can devote to research if they plan to pursue a career in academic medicine.

  A two-month ambulatory rotation has been established to prepare residents for outpatient management of neurological disease. The resident spends time in specialty clinics such as epilepsy, neuromuscular, pain and movement disorders. The psychiatry rotation is designed to increase the awareness of psychiatric diagnosis and management of patients in preparation for Board certification. The rotation is spent both on the consultation and liaison service and the psychiatric ER. A one-month neurosurgery rotation and rehabilitation at Magee is also part of the curriculum.

Conferences

Residents attend Morning Report, one hour daily with Dr. Schwartzman, as well as Attending Rounds, one to two hours daily with faculty members. They also have weekly conferences in Stroke, Neuromuscular, Neuroradiology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Basic Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, and Neurology Grand Rounds every Friday, with patient presentations led by Dr. Schwartzman and basic/clinical science lectures delivered by faculty members or guest lecturers who present the most current advances in neuroscience and clinical neurology. Bi-weekly conferences in EEG, EMG and Neuro-Pathology.

During the 3rd and 4th year of training, the residents have the opportunity to attend national conferences, courses and meetings.
 
Research

Residents are encouraged to participate in research either at the basic science or clinical level. Our faculty members’ research interests are numerous and varied.

We receive funding from the National Institute of Health, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and other organizations. Residents have the opportunity to participate in research on ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, Stroke, Pain Management, etc. Every year during Residents’ Day, each resident presents a research project, a faculty panel selects the best presentation at each level of training and the winners receive an award.
 
Evaluations

Residents are evaluated every month by the monthly attending, and twice a year (Dec. and Jun.) by the program director.