Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Is the Washington University Neurology program an integrated four-year program?

Yes. If you match with our institution for neurology, you will complete your PGY-1 year as a resident within the Washington University Internal Medicine program.

Q:  Are there further opportunities for fellowship and research at this institution?

Yes. Our graduates often pursue additional clinical and research opportunities both within the WashU institution and other highly regarded programs.

Q: Is there a formal mentorship program?

Yes! Each entering resident is assigned at least one primary mentor based on their area of interest and career goals. Residents are also assigned one primary associate program director mentor. Residents in the first year meet with their assigned mentor and meet other potential mentors as assigned by program leadership and also through interactions during rotations, on neurology family outings and at lectures. At the beginning of each academic year, residents are asked to select a primary mentor for that year. In the PGY2 and PGY3 years, residents and mentors use a Career Development Action Plan template to foster discussions. Most residents end up with several mentors with whom they work closely in the PGY3-4 years. 

Q:  Are there specific “tracks” like a physician-scientist training program, or programs in global health or neurology education?

We offer 11 months of elective time that residents use to customize their residency to match their interests. In addition, we are in the process of launching three formal tracks (physician-scientist, master clinician, clinician-educator). While we do not have a formal global health track, we offer international rotations through the collaboration of Drs. Peter Kang, Mwiza Ushe, David Clifford and other colleagues. Sites in the past have included Mekele Ethiopia, Yangon, Myanmar, internal medicine sites in Guatemala, South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, and Haiti. We also collaborate with the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences so some residents have started or completed programs including Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Clinical Investigation during residency. 

Q:  Is Washington University a good place for residents interested in careers in academic medicine and research?

Yes! Washington University is a leader in neuroscience research, and many of our trainees do choose careers in academic neurology, in basic science, translational, or clinical research and in education. Many of our faculty are physician-scientists, and we have an excellent track record in starting the careers of physician-scientists with several of our graduates being K-awardees at any given time. 

Q:  Since WashU is so strong in research, what about people interested in clinical neurology and clinical-practice careers?  Are they valued as applicants and as residents?  How good is the clinical training at WashU?

Yes again! The first priority of residency is to learn clinical neurology, and we are very proud of the excellence of our graduates as clinicians. We are looking for a broad range of residents and welcome those who are interested in clinical practice, either in general neurology or in one of the clinical subspecialties. We have a dedicated Section of General Neurology, so you will learn about general neurology from experienced neurologists, many of whom have had successful clinical practices in the community. We have very strong clinicians in all subspecialties. For example, the Neuromuscular Disease Center is the go-to online resource for clinicians dealing with neuromuscular disorders. Many of our graduates are in clinical practice in the community around the U.S., and many others are leading clinicians at academic institutions.