Residency Program

The Department of Neurology offers an ACGME accrediated four year residency training program in adult neurology. Four neurology positions are offered each year through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Admission is based upon performance in medical school, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews at the University of Arkansas. Interviews are scheduled November to February preceding the match. Interviews are by invitation only and are required to be considered for a position.

The Neurology Department has inpatient services at UAMS Medical Center (UAMSMC) and at the Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System (CAVHS). The UAMS Medical Center has more than 400 admissions, 600 inpatient consultations and 5,000 outpatient consultations per year. The CAVHS averages 200 patient admissions, 500 inpatient consultations and 3500 outpatient consultations per year. Each resident has two continuity clinics per week; one takes place at the Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System and the other at the UAMS Medical Center. There are also subspecialty clinics at UAMS for neuromuscular disease (with emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), multiple sclerosis, seizures, and movement disorders as well as the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) clinic. At CAVHS, subspecialty clinics exist in neuromuscular disease, chronic pain, movement disorders, headache, seizures, and neuro-ophthalmology. EMG and EEG laboratories are located at both facilities.

PGY-1, Internal Medicine Year
The PG-1 year is integrated into the neurology program but is structured like an internal medicine year. The PG-1 year consists of: 6 months of internal medicine (wards, ICU, CCU), 1 month emergency medicine, and 4 months of electives.. The PG-1 year usually consists of one month of neurology and one required month of psychiatry. The PG-1 year takes place at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the adjacent Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System (CAVHS).

PGY-2, Adult Neurology Residency
The first year of adult neurology residency (PGY-2) is devoted primarily to inpatient and outpatient care. Approximately 3 months are spent on the UAMS Wards, 3 months on the CAVHS Wards, and 2 months at Arkansas Children's Hospital in the child neurology rotation. The latter is primarily consultation and outpatient services with occasional inpatients. PGY-2 residents also rotate through the UAMS Stroke Service where they oversee inpatient care. During this year, residents are also responsible for the night float coverage; this usually consists of 1 to 2 months per resident in an academic year. As scheduling allows, PGY-2 residents are often scheduled electives such as EEG, neuropathology, EMG, etc. (depending upon their interest).

PGY-3, Adult Neurology Residency
The second year (PGY-3) is devoted to consultative services at UAMS and the CAVHS as well as elective time in neuropathology, neuroradiology, EEG, and EMG. During this year and the PGY-4 year, elective rotations can be tailored to accommodate the resident as much as possible.

PGY-4, Adult Neurology Residency
During the third year (PGY-4), the resident serves as the chief resident for three to four months at CAVHS and three to four months at UAMS. One additional month is usually spent in the Neurology Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).  The remaining months are spent as elective rotations to accommodate the resident’s interests and future plans.  Basic laboratory or clinical research work is encouraged. Successful completion of the program will make residents eligible for certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Besides the patient experience, a number of teaching opportunities are available. Ward rounds are held daily with the attending physician. There is also a morning report to review the previous night's admissions. There are weekly neuropathology and neuroradiology conferences. Weekly Grand Rounds are given by both faculty and visiting professors. Neurologic emergency conferences are held in July and August to prepare incoming Adult Neurology residents to take call. There is a basic and clinical neuroscience curriculum that rotates over a three year period exposing the residents to neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuropathology, and other allied basic sciences.

If you have additional questions about the Neurology Residency Program, please contact Athena Davis, Program Coordinator: DavisAthenaK@uams.edu