The mission of the University of Minnesota Neurology Residency and Fellowship Training Programs is to provide outstanding training in the practice and science of Neurology, through a curriculum that emphasizes direct and supervised patient care of diverse patient populations, critical reasoning, scholarship and professional responsibility, while promoting personal and professional satisfaction in a respectful learning environment.
Will Schmalstieg, MD
On behalf of the University of Minnesota Department of Neurology, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to our neurology residency program.
The University of Minnesota Neurology residency has a long and rich history of training leaders in clinical neurology, academics, and research. Our program was established in the 1940s under the direction of Dr. A.B. Baker, the founding President of the American Academy of Neurology. In the 21st century, the program is housed within a rapidly growing department that drives innovation in patient care, basic and translational research, and education.
The goal of this residency program is to prepare trainees for successful and rewarding careers in the exciting field of neurology. We offer an individualized approach to the professional development of residents throughout training. We aim to provide our residents with the tools needed to succeed in the career path most fulfilling to them – whether as clinicians, educators, academicians, or a combination thereof. Approximately 85% of our recent graduates have chosen to pursue fellowship training, with many remaining at the University of Minnesota and others securing prestigious fellowships at outside institutions including Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, Washington University and many more. We are delighted that four members of our last four classes have now joined the department faculty.
The strengths of the program include:
Integration of PGY-1 residents into the neurology department from the first day of residency, including a weekly continuity clinic and four hours per week of dedicated didactic time, as well as providing each trainee with a personal career development mentor.
A diversity of training sites, including the tertiary care referral center at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, a safety net county hospital at Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center, and a large community practice (HealthPartners/Regions Hospital). Residents become skilled at the management of all aspects of inpatient neurology and neurocritical care as well as outpatient general neurology and sub-specialty practice.
Opportunities for development in research and education, including a formalized Neurology Educator track and the completion of a research project with the guidance of the program research committee and an individual research mentor.
Leadership opportunities for residents: residents are actively engaged in department and University leadership opportunities including the Graduate Medical Education committee, Resident Leadership Academy, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and medical student teaching. Two PGY-3 and three PGY-4 residents are selected for chief resident positions.
Each resident who enters the program helps cultivate and propel our residency into the future of neurology, writing the next chapters in our storied history. We welcome applications to our program for the residency match and eagerly anticipate speaking with the future members of the class of 2029.
Sincerely,
Will Schmalstieg, MD
Neurology Residency Program Director
