University of California (Irvine) Program

Program Overview

The Child Neurology Residency program at the University of California, Irvine, aims to train the next generation of pediatric neurologists through comprehensive clinical exposure and education. This five-year, fully accredited residency is a partnership between the UCI School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The program incorporates training in pediatric and adult neurology, neurocritical care, electrophysiology, neuroimaging, neuropathology, and research opportunities. The mission is to provide exceptional care to patients with neurological disorders, educate trainees at various levels, and advance research in neuroscience.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum is structured over a five-year timeline, with the first two years dedicated to the Pediatric Residency program and the subsequent three years focused on Child Neurology training. The neurology training includes inpatient services as well as outpatient clinics, where residents follow and manage their patients. The program emphasizes a balance between direct patient care, scholarly activities, and elective rotations to ensure broad exposure to subspecialties.

Training Experience

Yearly, residents are required to participate in a mix of inpatient adult neurology and outpatient pediatric neurology experiences, including rotations at UCI Medical Center and CHOC. Elective rotations cover diverse areas such as neuro-ophthalmology, neuroradiology, and sleep medicine, enhancing their overall training experience.

Conferences and Teaching

Participants engage in various educational conferences, including weekly case discussions, grand rounds, and morbidity and mortality conferences. This structure is designed to facilitate continuous learning and collaboration among residents and faculty.

Clinical Training Sites

Residents receive clinical training at three prominent sites:

• UCI Medical Center: Inpatient adult neurology and various electives.
• Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC): The principal site for pediatric neurology, offering a comprehensive patient base.
• VA Long Beach Medical Center: Outpatient adult neurology experience, particularly for subspecialty clinics such as epilepsy and stroke.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Research training is crucial, with each resident completing a scholarly project under the guidance of faculty mentors. Opportunities for both basic science and clinical research exist within the program. The projects are presented at the UCI Neurology’s Resident Research Symposium at the end of the first year.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The program promotes an inclusive culture in line with its mission and vision. A commitment to diversity in its resident body is emphasized, encouraging candidates from varied backgrounds to apply, thus reflecting the diverse community it serves.

Application Process

The application process is conducted through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). It is encouraged for candidates to apply to both the Pediatric and Child Neurology programs. The program specifically seeks out candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship to eligible international medical graduates (IMGs). Candidates may typically seek support for various visa types relevant to their training, ensuring that all residents can fully participate in the educational experiences offered.

Competitiveness and Requirements

The Child Neurology Residency at UCI is regarded as competitive, welcoming applications from both U.S. and international medical graduates. Specific application requirements may include criteria regarding year of graduation and examination performance. It is advisable for applicants to be knowledgeable about any maximum limitations concerning failed STEP examinations.