We are a four-year categorical program, with eight positions per year. During the PGY1 year, residents complete eight months of internal medicine (as required by the ABPN), but spend the remaining four months of the year on Neurology rotations, including an introduction to our inpatient services, outpatient clinics, future continuity clinic patients, epilepsy/EEG interpretation, and a wide choice of electives. Interns are paired with both resident and faculty mentors on arrival and are encouraged to get a head start on research projects. This early integration into the UF neurology community allows residents the opportunity to maximize their education, feel at home in our department, and make well-informed decisions about subspecialty career plans.

The UF Neurology Department actively fosters diversity and inclusion among its faculty, trainees, staff, and overall mission. The department has developed a robust Diversity Council, which enthusiastically welcomes resident participation. Current initiatives include diversity education, inclusive clinical care, mentorship, and community outreach (https://neurology.ufl.edu/about-us/diversity-council/). Diversity in medicine has measurable benefits for patient care, and our residency training includes a longitudinal curriculum to understand the impacts of socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural factors on health and illness, as well as the effects of healthcare disparities. Faculty who work with residents represent diverse backgrounds, training, and perspectives. Residents encounter a diverse population of patients at our two affiliated teaching hospitals: Shands/UF Health Hospital and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. Finally, Gainesville is a true college town that welcomes and supports a diverse population.

Residents have a great deal of flexibility in their elective choices, beginning with the PGY1 year. There are also many supplemental conferences and activities across a wide variety of interests, such as advanced simulation training for those interested in neurocritical care or participation in deep brain stimulation cases in the operating room. Residents have the opportunity to individualize their training by participating in tracks that provide a supplementary experience to the core residency clinical education, including the research academician track and the medical education track. One of the highlights of our residency is the standing weekly meeting between residents and program leadership to discuss resident programmatic feedback. All programs have opportunities for improvement, and working with the residents to craft their ideal program is one of greatest sources of satisfaction we have as medical educators.

Research and Scientific Method are the cornerstones of academic neurology. Every UF Neurology resident is encouraged to engage in research as part of their educational experience, and residents may spend up to several months of elective time working on research.

In order to teach, residents must first have knowledge that is accurate and usefully organized. Teaching responsibilities are integrated into our residency program.All residents participate in the introductory Resident As Teacher (RasT) Program sponsored by the University of Florida.

Residents are paired with multiple mentors throughout residency to provide guidance in career and research planning. From the beginning of residency, intern are paired with a faculty career mentor in their area of interest as well as a senior resident to help with orientation to life as a neurology resident. Each resident also has a dedicated research mentor.

Residents participate in daily topical didactics presented by faculty, as well as interactive case-based learning during daily Morning Report. There are many other departmental and subspecialty conferences that residents are welcome to attend as time and interest permit.

Residents participate in a longitudinal wellness curriculum focused on addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic sources of burnout, including the opportunity for burnout self-assessment and a monthly lecture series (addressing topics such as mindfulness, nutrition, organization, gratitude, forgiveness, exercise, and work-life balance) that aims to provide a toolkit for individual resilience and personal wellness.

We asked our residents: what do you like most about the UF Neurology program? “I chose the University of Florida because I felt very comfortable during my interview while meeting such distinguished faculty. The collegiate atmosphere of Gainesville is unlike any other. Growing up in Florida and knowing the impact the Shands hospital system has on my community made it an easy choice.” – Ziyad Aboudan, PGY3
 

Gainesville is a true “University City”. It has been consistently ranked as one of Florida’s most livable cities, mainly because of its beautiful landscape and urban “forest.” The climate allows year-round outdoor activities. Easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast, and many lakes and fresh water springs in the area makes Gainesville a perfect home for water sports enthusiasts.