University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (USC/LA General) Program

The Neurology Residency Program at USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center represents a comprehensive four-year training designed to empower residents through diverse clinical experiences and academic excellence. The program is anchored at two primary hospitals: the Los Angeles General Medical Center, renowned as the largest safety net hospital in Los Angeles, and the Keck Hospital of USC, which serves as a tertiary and quaternary referral center for complex cases. This setting provides an extensive patient population marked by socioeconomic, cultural, and clinical diversity, enriching the educational landscape for residents.1

As part of the residency curriculum, the training is divided into four distinct years, starting from the PGY1 level. New residents are integrated into the program in a fully integrated manner. The PGY1 includes rotations in Internal Medicine, outpatient services, and Neurology, ensuring foundational learning combined with early exposure to neurology services at both primary sites. Residents also participate in weekly Neurology didactics, enabling them to engage deeply with the material and apply it in clinical settings.1

Key rotations throughout the residency include:

• PGY1: 2 months of Elective, 1 month Outpatient (Internal Medicine and Neurology), 4 months of Internal Medicine, 2 months of Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), and 1 month of Emergency Medicine, followed by 2 months in Neurology service and a 1-month vacation.
• PGY2: Includes rotations in EEG/EMG, Los Angeles General Medical Center's stroke service, and general neurology, along with additional elective rotations.
• PGY3: Involves advanced training with exposure to senior-level responsibilities on general neurology and night float, alongside significant rotations in Keck and pediatric neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
• PGY4: Residents undertake senior responsibilities with two months on the stroke service, psychiatric rotations, and various electives.1

The program emphasizes resident feedback, with ongoing discussions to adapt curriculum distribution and enhance educational value. Teaching faculty are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment which values direct patient care involvement from the outset, ensuring that residents gain proficiency in essential neurological assessments and interventions through hands-on experiences.1

In terms of application competitiveness, the residency at USC is structured to be highly inclusive, welcoming international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic (DO) candidates, accommodating diversity within its matching process. Prospective residents must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and should include essential documents such as USMLE transcripts, medical school transcripts, and recommendation letters. A minimum of three letters of recommendation is required for consideration. The program extends its commitment to international trainees by offering J1 visa sponsorship, thus enabling qualified international graduates to apply and train in its residency program.1

Unique features of the residency include a strong focus on healthcare disparities, placing emphasis on culturally informed practices relevant to the diverse populations served. Additional service learning opportunities, such as the Jail Clinic, allow residents to provide care to patients from local incarceration settings, enhancing their perspectives on the intersection of healthcare and social issues.1

The residency also offers robust benefits, including competitive salaries across all PGY levels, a generous vacation policy providing 24 paid days off, and additional sick leave provisions. As part of the Los Angeles County Resident Union, residents are protected by negotiated benefits enhancing workplace conditions. Furthermore, residents receive educational stipends and many resources such as free access to various medical databases and libraries which facilitate their research and clinical education endeavors.1

Clinical exposure is vital as residents rotate through multiple key facilities including Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, which provides specialized rehabilitation training, and the comprehensive pediatric neurology experiences at CHLA. At Keck Hospital, residents gain insight from high-acuity cases typical of a tertiary care center that handles neuro-critical care, interventional neuroradiology, and complex diagnostic challenges.1

In summary, the USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center Neurology Residency Program nurtures the next generation of neurologists through diverse clinical exposures, collaborative learning environments, and a strong commitment to addressing health disparities within the communities it serves. It prepares its trainees not only for clinical excellence but also for versatile career pathways in fellowship training, academic medicine, and beyond.1