Overview
The Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, integrates practical exposure to all areas of clinical child neurology, with numerous opportunities to develop career interests in both neurological education and neuroscience research.
Trainees entering from medical school will complete five years of training. In selected cases, trainees may also be accepted into the final three years, after completion of two years of General Pediatrics training at an outside institution.
of residents match in their top three fellowship programs (86% top choice)
of residents stay at Mayo Clinic for fellowship or jobs
child neurology staff with additional expertise and training in over 25 subspecialties
Education is of foremost importance at Mayo Clinic, as evidenced by our logo representing the three shields of patient care, education, and research. In choosing to come to Mayo Clinic for your residency training, you will share and benefit from that historic legacy.
The many strengths of our program include the close working relationship between residents and faculty, the breadth of clinical experience, the high quality of your fellow residents, and outstanding didactics, all taking place in the very livable city of Rochester, Minnesota.
Our programs goals are to:
- Train future leaders in child neurology, and specifically to graduate residents who will become leaders in their subspecialty field (clinical practice), to kindle enthusiasm and hone skills required to engage residents in research, and to teach residents to be effective educators.
- Provide the highest quality of clinical education in child neurology, including an outstanding didactic and bedside clinical education to graduate residents competent for independent clinical practice in any location.
- Educate residents on ethical principles to effectively deal with complex and challenging scenarios and provide care that is sensitive to the belief systems of the patient and family.
- Recruit trainees of diverse backgrounds to have a program reflective of the various populations who will be served by pediatric neurologists in the U.S.
Accreditation and certification
The Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). After successfully completing the residency, you are eligible to take the board examination of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. If you complete two years of general pediatric training, you also become board-eligible in Pediatrics.
Program history
The Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, began in 1960. Two trainees complete this program each year.
Frequently asked questions (and answers)
What electives can I take?
Our program offers a solid exposure to general child neurology. As a resident, you'll work with world-renowned faculty who are highly dedicated to resident education and have abundant exposure to many subspecialty areas including:
- Neurometabolic disorders
- Neuromuscular disease
- Epilepsy
- Neuroimmunology
- Headache
- Movement disorders
- Neuro-oncology
- Sleep disorders
In addition, residents are also welcome to participate in an international elective in an underserved region.
What type of teaching will I receive?
Our program works closely with the Adult Neurology program to offer strong didactic and interactive teaching in both basic and clinical neurosciences, including courses in:
- Basic neurosciences
- Neuroanatomy
- Neuroradiology
- General neurological disorders
- Neuro-critical care
- Clinical neurophysiology
- Ethics
- Transition to practice
The smaller size of our program facilitates a close working relationship between residents and faculty. Residents are able to easily seek out faculty if they have questions about a case they are managing, or advice about career options.
Can I attend academic meetings during residency?
Our program supports residents to attend two academic meetings: one during their first two years in general pediatrics, and the second during the final three years in child neurology.
Additionally, there is generous support for residents to attend additional meetings to present their research.
Meet our trainees
I have had the opportunity to travel and train in different countries, and when it comes to our program it does represent a true family feeling that nurtures and inspires you. It is an outstanding amalgam of patient care, collegiality, and academic excellence, and I am thrilled to be part of it.
Ersida Buraniqi, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Neurology resident
Meet our faculty
We have a diverse, engaged faculty, who are dedicated to the three shields of Mayo Clinic, outstanding patient care, exceptional medical education and cutting-edge research. We offer an unparalleled didactic curriculum, plenty of patients to see with common and uncommon neurological disorders, a strong belief in graduated resident responsibility, and many opportunities to teach and do research.
Elaine Wirrell, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency program director
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