Unique Aspects of our Program

Friday School: Protected 4-hour session every Friday afternoon for didactics.
Multiple hospitals: Provide a diversity of clinical experiences and practice models & exposure to unique patient populations.
Subspecialty Sampler (SSS) Rotation: Dedicated rotational experience in the first 6 months of PGY1 offering exposure across neurology subspecialties.
Intern Foundations: Embdedded in Friday School, this series provides timely introduction to core neurology concepts.
PGY2 EEG Course: Targeted curriculum designed to build core EEG interpretation skills.
PGY3 EMG Course: Didactic time, hands-on practice, and clinical exposure to jump start EMG skills and hone peripheral neuroanatomy.
Neurology Educator Track (NET): longitudinal curriculum for residents who are interested in education & academic neurology.
Research/SPRINT Track: Longitudinal research track for one resident per year designed to create leaders in academic neurology by offering 1:1 mentored research projects, protected research time, and basic instructions in statistics and ethics. Residents will have 1 month protected time per year in addition to half days on elective rotations, and can expect to publish a first author manuscript and present their work at national conferences.
Research: There are a many opportunities for research more generally. Residents meet with Resident Research Committee bi-annually for support & guidance. Annual Kennedy research symposium provides an opportunity to show your work. Funding available to attend national conferences.
Exposure to multiple specialties: including neurocritical care, stroke, endovascular, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular, epilepsy, dementia, headache, sleep medicine, neuro-oncology, neuro-otology, pain, neuroradiology, neuropathology & neuro-ophthalmology.
Didactic conferences: including grand rounds, interdisciplinary neuro-radiology conference, EEG conference, M&M, and more.

Call Schedule

Curriculum

Didactic Conferences

Research & Scholarly Committee

Friday School: Protected Time for Learning

One of the unique flagships of our program is Friday School, a four hour block of protected didactic time that occurs every Friday afternoon at the University. Residents are excused from their clinical duties and faculty or fellows hold all service pagers so that residents are free to focus on learning. Friday School also provides a time for all of our residents, including G1s, to be together every week and bond as a group.

Basic Structure

12-1 pm: Grand Rounds are held during this time most weeks. Other conferences are held throughout the year on off-weeks:

M&M (co-presented by 2 PGY-3s): 3 times per year
Neuroanatomy Review (Draw it to Know it): Every week during August then every other month (during faculty meetings)
- Resident-led and resident-taught neuroanatomy review.

1-2 pm: Typically a resident presentation, alternating between:

Parry Rounds & Case Presentations: Cases are presented by residents and discussions are facilitated by master clinicians (such as retired department chair, Dr. Parry) lead residents through the though process of neurologic diagnosis and clinical reasoning.
Journal Club: We seek to avoid the stereotype of journal clubs as dry, dull and defeating with an invigorated new format designed to train residents how to systematically analyze a journal article in small group discussions then a large group discussion facilitated by our biomedical librarian, Jonathan Koffel, who brings his expertise in evidence-based medicine to the discussion. To further increase the utility of these sessions, we have our subspecialty faculty members choose landmark papers within their fields that all neurology residents should read.
Skills Workshops
Board Review: Q & A or Jeopardy-style board review sessions led by our G4s.
G1 Mini-lecture Series: During board review sessions, a senior resident leads a 'chalk talk' on important intro neurology topics to our G1s.
Chief Chats: Opportunities for residents to openly discuss any issues or concerns without faculty present.

3-4 pm: Didactics by faculty

2-year curriculum divided into subspecialty blocks which integrate neurology, neuropathology and neuroradiology:
- - Epilepsy/EEG
  - Neuromuscular
  - Neuroimmunology
  - Neuro-opthalmology
  - Pediatric Neurology
  - Neuro-Oncology
  - Cognitive/Behavioral Neurology
  - Neurophysiology
  - Sleep Medicine
  - Psychiatry
  - Pain/Headache
  - Neurovascular
  - Neurocritical Care
  - Systemic Manifestations of Neurologic Disease
  - Movement Disorders

Simulation Days

- Our residency collaborates with the Hennepin County Medical Center Interdisciplinary Simulation and Education Center (ISEC) to provide a guided, safe environment for our trainees to practice real-life medical situations and procedures.
- Annually, trainees participate in high-fidelity simulations designed for learning about and practicing acute stroke care, management of status epilepticus, brain death examination, and lumbar puncture. Faculty members observe the teams of residents during each case and provide feedback in a group debrief afterwards.

Multiple Hospitals: Diversity of Clinical Experiences

Our residents receive training in a variety of healthcare systems and care for a diverse array of patients. Our graduates are ready to step into any clinical setting and provide high-quality care to patients of any background. Minnesota has long been and continues to be a nationwide leader in healthcare, ranking as the #2 best state for healthcare in 2026 by Wallethub. The Twin Cities are home to a large population of refugees and immigrants, with some of the largest communities of Somali, Hmong, and Liberian refugees in the country.

Residents spend the majority of their training at the University of Minnesota, HCMC, and the VA. We provide 24-hour in house coverage at the University and HCMC through a night float model (no 24 hour call shifts), with home call coverage at the VA.

University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC)

World-class transplant center, tertiary referral center and the core teaching hospital of the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Inpatient experiences include primary general neurology and stroke services, consult service, epilepsy monitoring unit and dedicated Neuro ICU. Residents also rotate through the U's numerous subspecialty clinics.

Directions to East Bank Hospital & CSC

Directions to West Bank & Children's Hospital

MHealth Clinics & Surgery Center

Interactive UMN campus map:http://campusmaps.umn.edu/

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

Level 1 trauma center - teaching hospital with a very active neurology service.

Inpatient experiences include general neurology and stroke consult services. HCMC is also home to a nationally renowned emergency medicine residency program, the second-oldest in the country, which our residents rotate through during intern year. It also has the best cafeteria food ever (according to residents).

Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC)

One of the 10 largest VAs in the country and consistently ranked five out of five stars by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Inpatient experiences consist primarily of a consult service with home call duties. Residents also spend time at the GRECC, a national leader in dementia research and comprehensive dementia care and EMG clinic.

https://v2.interactive.medmaps.com/site/minneapolisvamc

Regions Hospital

Formerly St Paul's county hospital, Ramsey Medical Center, Regions provides a unique healthcare setting that introduces features of privatized medicine while remaining a safety-net hospital. Regions is also home to its own renowned emergency medicine residency program and is a major training site for many of the University of Minnesota's residents in a variety of disciplines including internal medicine. Training at this site provides a unique blend of community, urban, and university based experiences in which you will care for insured and uninsured patients with both common and rare diseases. Neurology residents spend a significant portion of their intern year learning internal medicine and critical care at Regions. Residents return later to gain experience practicing inpatient neurology in a private-practice model.

Regions Hospital Campus Map

Program Curriculum

The goals of the University of Minnesota residency education program in Neurology are to prepare the physician/trainee for the independent practice of clinical Neurology and passing the ABPN certification exam in Neurology. These overall goals include attaining competence in the six core areas of the ACGME.

Resident education will be based on supervised clinical work with increasing responsibility for outpatients and inpatients of all ages and genders. It will have a foundation of organized instruction in the basic neurosciences.

Requirements for Clinical Skills Evaluation in Neurology and Child Neurology

Learn more about our curriculum here.

Featured Rotations

Early Exploration: Our PGY1 Subspecialty Sampler (SSS) Rotation

We believe your neurology training should start on day one of your residency. To give you early, broad exposure to the field, all of our residents complete the Neurology Subspecialty Sampler (SSS) Rotation during the first six months of their PGY1 year.

This unique, outpatient-focused rotation is designed to introduce you to the rich variety of ambulatory neurology early in your training, helping you build core clinical skills and discover your specific career interests right out of the gate.

Why Our Residents Love It:

Early Specialty Immersion: We intentionally integrate neurology exposure into your intern year. You'll start practicing neurologic histories and exams early, bringing those skills directly back to your own continuity clinics.
A Broad Survey of the Field: You will rotate through a diverse range of outpatient subspecialty clinics. This firsthand look helps you decide which elective rotations you want to pursue later, sparks early ideas for your chosen career path, and introduces you to supportive faculty mentors.
Hands-On, Paced Learning: This isn't a passive shadowing experience. You will see patients independently, present directly to expert faculty preceptors, and write clinic notes. The pace is designed to be supportive so you can focus on learning clinic workflows and clinical nuances.
Diverse Clinical Environments: Because you will rotate across different clinic sites and work with various faculty members, you'll gain a broad understanding of how different subspecialties operate in real-world practice.

Our Philosophy: We want to fuel your passion for neurology from the very beginning. The SSS rotation gives you the tools, exposure, and faculty connections you need to start shaping your career path during your very first year.

Setting You Up for Success: Foundations & The PGY2 EEG Course

Transitioning from intern year to your first year of neurology residency (PGY2) is a major milestone. To ensure you feel confident and supported, we have designed a progressive, intentional curriculum to prepare you for the wards.

We spread your foundational training out longitudinally during your intern year, culminating in a dedicated, specialized course to start your PGY2 year.

Phase 1: PGY1 Longitudinal Foundations (Friday School)

Learning neurology starts on day one. Throughout your intern year, we utilize our dedicated Friday School to deliver high-yield, foundational neurology training in a longitudinal, digestible format.

Step-by-Step Preparation: Early in the year, you will cover the neuro exam, localization, neuroanatomy, and common conditions. As your PGY2 year approaches, you will be introduced to critical emergency consults, specialized palliative care, and Quality Improvement (QI) basics. We also provide hands-on workshops and training in cutting-edge clinical tools like Viz.AI before you even start your PGY2 year.
A Continuous Runway: This gradual build-up ensures you have a rock-solid clinical foundation and plenty of time to process complex concepts at a manageable pace.
Bonding with Senior Residents: Throughout your intern year, you will learn alongside senior residents at Friday school, with breakout sessions for your cohort to focus on timely introduction to essential concepts.

Phase 2: The PGY2 July EEG Course

To officially kick off PGY2, your entire cohort starts the academic year with a dedicated, four-week EEG Course in July. This block is designed to immerse you in clinical neurophysiology and give you a strong technical edge right away.

A World-Class Classroom: Didactics and workshops are held primarily at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Headquarters in the beautiful Mill District of downtown Minneapolis.
Hands-On Learning: Led by our expert faculty, this section features interactive clinical neurophysiology workshops in the mornings, followed by hands-on clinical EEG reading in the afternoons.
Protected Cohort Bonding: Because this block keeps your class together, it provides a crucial, supportive space for your cohort to reconnect, collaborate, and support each other as you transition into your new roles as neurology residents.

Our Philosophy: We invest deeply in your transition. By pairing longitudinal preparation in your PGY1 year with a dedicated, world-class EEG course in PGY2, we ensure you step onto the wards with confidence, backed by a tight-knit community of peers and mentors.

Training Tracks

Neurology Educator Track (NET)

The teaching track provides an innovative approach to recruiting future neurologists and repairing the perception of neurology amongst medical students by enhancing the role of residents in medical education, who are positioned uniquely to bridge the knowledge gap between student and specialist. It also creates avenues for fostering enhanced understanding and appreciation of neurology in the broader healthcare community through interdisciplinary and interprofessional educational efforts.

The Basics

Number of enrolled residents: 2 per class

Application requirement:

- - Statement of purpose
  - Plans to pursue a career as an academic clinician-educator

Program start: End of PGY-1 year

Program Elements

Curriculum Development Project.

- - Develop and implement a curriculum initiative and/or education scholarship project.
  - Disseminate (via journal publication or poster presentation).
  - This fulfills the research requirement for residents.

Create and maintain a professional teaching portfolio.
Mentorship

- - Meet at least twice yearly with faculty clinician‐educator mentor.
  - Residents’ progress is reviewed twice/year by the NET Committee, who will provide feedback and guidance to support NET residents’ successful completion of their goals and program requirements.

Complete required curriculum.

- - Annual teaching workshop: NET residents will participate in additional education‐related curriculum.
  - Didactics: At least 4 didactic sessions will be held each year on Fridays at noon (NET residents are excused from Grand Rounds on these days). Didactics cover topics in the following areas:
    - - Teaching skills.
      - Curriculum development.
      - Leadership & administration.
      - Career development and scholarship.

Complete mandatory teaching practicum. There are mandatory and optional teaching experiences. Rotation scheduling for NET participant takes teaching obligations into account (i.e. elective time will be scheduled to allow participation in the experiences outlined below).

Options for Teaching Practicum

PGY‐2s

- Facilitate at least one Foundations of Clinical Thinking session for MS1s (as part of the NET FCT group).
- TA at least one MS1 neuroanatomy lab and deliver “clinical correlation” talk.
- Participate in Essentials of Clinical Medicine neurology exam workshop for MS1s.
- Start brainstorming ideas for curriculum development project.

PGY‐3s

Facilitate 2‐3 FCT sessions as part of the shared NET FCT group of MS1s.
Participate in ECM neurology exam workshop for MS1s.
Facilitate at least one small group session for the HHD5 neurology course for MS2s.
Simulation‐based education:
Complete HCMC Sim Center’s Sim Facilitator Course
Write one new neurology simulation case.
Co‐direct annual neurology simulation.
Debrief sim cases at the simulation session.
Curriculum development project: Complete needs assessment, develop goals/objectives, and determine teaching methods for curriculum initiative.

PGY‐4s

- Facilitate 2‐3 FCT sessions as part of the shared NET FCT group of MS2s.
- Co‐teach the HHD5 course (2nd year medical student neurology pathophysiology course):
- Review/revise curriculum in conjunction with faculty course directors.
- Give neurology lectures to the medical students (divided between NET residents).
- Facilitate small group sessions.
- Help write exam questions for the course.
- Lead the core education/leadership skills workshop during Bootcamp.
- Lead at least one educational session for non‐neurology residents/physicians (e.g. IM board review, IM morning report, EM stroke sims).
- Lead at least one educational session for non‐physician healthcare providers or students.
- Curriculum development project: Implement curriculum, evaluate curriculum, and disseminate results (e.g. poster presentation, journal publication, MedEd Portal publication).

Scientific Pathway & Research in Neurology Training (SPRINT) program

The neurology residency program offers a mentored experience designed for residents who intend to pursue a career in clinical research, enabling them to become proficient in research methodology and preparing them to become leaders in the field of academic neurological research. Applications are solicited during the winter of PGY-1 year, with selection of a mentor in the spring of the PGY-1 year.

Purpose:

The aim of the Scientific Pathway & Research in Neurology Training (SPRINT) program is to cohesively integrate research training with clinical neurology residency training. This pathway is designed for residents who intend to pursue a career in clinical research, enabling them to become proficient in research methodology and preparing them to become leaders in the field of academic neurological research.

Logistics:

One resident per year
Residents apply during PGY-1

Core Faculty

Jeff Allen MD - Neuromuscular Medicine
William Mantyh MD - Dementia/Behavioral Neurology
Colum Mackinnon PhD - Movement disorders & Neuromodulation
Peter Kang MD - Muscular Dystrophy
Sandip Pati, MD - Epilepsy

Curriculum

1. Research Project:

Design and complete a research study, including submission of research proposal, study design, data collection and data analysis
Complete and publish a literature review on a research topic of interest
Submit manuscript/research findings at high impact peer-reviewed journals
Present research findings on research day and at a conference of your choice

2. Mentorship:

Meet at least once per quarter with faculty research mentor who will provide assessment, supervision and constructive feedback
SPRINT resident will create and maintain a professional research portfolio
Residents’ progress is reviewed twice per year by the Resident Research Committee who will provide feedback and guidance to support SPRINT residents’ successful completion of their goals and program requirements

3. SPRINT Overview Schedule:

PGY-1

Select a research mentor who will act as the Principle Investigator (PI) of your research project. Set up initial meeting and plan for subsequent meetings during your PGY2-4 years. Research mentors to be identified ahead of time. Goal to have a few options and vet faculty ahead of time.
Identify your research topic. Will be determined in coordination with the research mentor.
Complete required online modules during PGY-1 bootcamp

PGY2:

Complete and publish literature review (meta-analysis or systematic review) in a topic of interest
Sign up to become a junior journal reviewer for a journal of interest (PGY2)
Write and submit a research proposal to the institutional review board (IRB) (PGY2)
Design and work on a research study (PGY 2)

PGY 3 & 4:

Publish research findings at high impact peer-reviewed journals
Present research findings on research day and at a conference of their choice
Be a member in the resident research committee
Play a role in Friday School Journal Club

Protected Time

1 month/year research block
Half day/week on elective rotations are protected to allow for longitudinal progress on research projects and allow for time to meet with mentors

SPRINT resident expectations:

To understand the key concepts in the responsible conduct of research
To be able to critically appraise the medical scientific literature
To be able to independently formulate a research question, as well as be able to design and conduct a study to address that question
To be able to present and publish the results of one’s scholarly work
Identify individual strengths and weaknesses as researchers

Research mentor expectations:

Have robust expertise in the resident’s area of research and the willingness to devote time and energy beyond normal faculty responsibilities
Meet with SPRINT resident on a quarterly basis
Supervise the SPRINT resident and provide assessment and constructive feedback
Establish research training goals that include quality of performance, mastery of information and technical methods relevant to the research

Resident Research

Research is a critical element in the fight against neurological disease; it paves the way for the development and implementation of new therapies and provides opportunities to expand our academic mission. Our physicians and scientists pioneer new surgical therapies for Parkinson's disease and dystonia and the application of deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, groundbreaking clinical trials for glioblastoma, genetic therapies for SNMA, cutting edge treatments for Alzheimer's, MS, and ALS, and a world-class Center for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. There are numerous opportunities for fellows and residents to develop clinical and basic research skills in virtually any area of interest. For residents interested in a more personalized experience, the University offers the Scientific Pathway & Research in Neurology Training (SPRINT) program. The track gives one resident per year the opportunity to complete a 1-on-1 mentored project with protected research time and basic course work in statistics and research ethics.

Research Highlights

The department has earned over 11.9 million dollars in NIH funding making it a top performing academic institution (top 25 programs nationally). In addition it has earned greater than 26.5 million dollars in its robust neurosciences program cementing it in 6th place as a national leader in neurological discovery.
Our department is a Udall Center of excellence in Neuromodulation research, one of just eight such institutions nationally. This gives residents extremely unique opportunities for research in neuromodulation which will position them to be key contributors to the future of the field.
The department is one of 29 programs that form the Stroke-Net research program led by the NIH and routinely places as a top site for acute clinical trial enrollment. As such, it provides residents opportunities to participate in stroke research. This dovetails well with our programs curriculum, which provides strong exposure to stroke, neurological critical care, and endovascular neurology in order to train residents poised for leadership in the inpatient setting.

Neurology Residency Research & Scholarship Committee (NRSSC): Mentored Resident Research

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