Newswise — The Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) at The Methodist Hospital has established its first adult neurology residency program. Dr. Ericka Simpson, co-director of the MDA/ALS Research and Clinical Center and director of the Myotonic Dystrophy/Myasthenia Gravis Clinics at the Methodist NI, will serve as the residency program director.
The Methodist Hospital sponsors 17 accredited residency programs with about 125 of its own residents, including the neurosurgery residency program which began in 2005. Additionally, as many as 600 residents from a multitude of institutions rotate through Methodist annually.
Simpson said the neurology training program's mission is to equip residents with the knowledge and skills to become proficient clinical neurologists and physician scientists.
"Methodist has a strong commitment to the education and training of future clinicians and scientists," said Simpson. "Unique to the neurology program is the incorporation of required clinical or basic science research rotations during the training period. This is based upon a commitment to develop residents for academic careers in neurology research, as well as become competent and skilled clinical neurologists."
Applications are presently being accepted for the program which will begin in July 2008, with plans to train up to a maximum of six residents. Methodist's neurology program encompasses three years of training and includes rotations through both inpatient and outpatient services, including stroke/vascular neurology, general neurology, neuromuscular and ALS, pain/headache, and movement disorder services, as well as participation in translational research.
"Methodist has so much to offer in terms of patients, advances in clinical care and technology" said Dr. Stanley H. Appel, chairman of neurology, and co-founder and co-director of the Methodist NI. "Our faculty is committed to translating advances in basic science research into meaningful therapies for diseases of the nervous system and to educating the next generation of neurologists and physician-scientists. This new neurology residency program presents an exciting opportunity for us all."
Training will primarily be at The Methodist Hospital, with instruction and mentoring provided by faculty with substantial experience in training residents and fellows.
The curriculum includes lectures, conferences and grand rounds designed to advance residents' knowledge and clinical acumen. The training experience will involve specialty training with one-on-one faculty teaching, as well as elective rotations in the resident's area of interest.
About the Methodist Neurological Institute
The Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) houses the practice and research activities of the departments of neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurophysiology and physical medicine & rehabilitation at The Methodist Hospital. The mission of the NI is to advance the discovery of the origins, mechanisms and treatment of neurological disease and to provide comprehensive care for patients with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord.
Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Methodist is also affiliated with the University of Houston. Methodist is ranked among the country's top centers in 14 specialties in U.S News & World Report's 2007 America's Best Hospitals issue. Methodist is ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in Texas, and is 9th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery.
For more on the Methodist Neurological Institute, visit http://www.methodistneuroinstitute.com, or call (713) 790-3333.
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