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| Neurology & Neurological Sciences |
What are the clinical rotations?
There are several inpatient teams at Stanford University Hospital. Together they cover the general neurology, stroke, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, and neuro-ICU patients. There are typically 4 neurology residents assigned to the different teams in the daytime, and one other resident assigned to night float. Other team members include neurosurgery and psychiatry interns, medicine residents, and medical students. The patient load varies greatly, but the pace is usually extremely hectic.
The neurology team at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital is covered each month by one or two neurology residents, sometimes with a medical student and a pediatric resident. This is a very busy, primarily consultative service.
The Stanford outpatient clinic experience includes rotations in General Neurology and Child Neurology, and Neurologic Subspecialties such as Epilepsy, Movement Disorder, Neuromuscular Disease, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Neuro-Oncology, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, and Stroke. All patients in the clinics may be seen by residents and students. The department does not have private practice patients.
The Neurology Service at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center provides outpatient clinic and inpatient consult services. There are one junior resident and one senior resident on the adult service, and one resident on the child neurology service. Although the services do not have their own ward patients, both the clinics and the consult services are very busy.
The Palo Alto VA Medical Center also has a purely consultative service. There are inpatient consults every day, and a busy outpatient clinic is in session almost every weekday. A junior resident and a senior resident staff the service.
What are some teaching conferences devoted to residents?
Case-based learning is a strong emphasis of the program. Cases are presented at the Tuesday noon conference, Professor rounds, Quality Care conferences and Neurology CPC to illustrate and teach neurologic diseases. Neurology Grand Rounds are devoted to cutting edge neuroscience and clinical neurology, presented by invited speakers as well as our own faculty. Didactic lectures are given during the residents' educational half-day on Wednesday afternoons. Popular conferences also include weekly neuroradiology case conference and subspecialty conferences in stroke, clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy and neuromuscular diseases. There are frequent lectures on neuroscience, ethics, health care policy, and other important topics in the School of Medicine. When you visit, please talk to our residents or ask for a copy of the Department calendar.
How often am I on call?
Residents are required to stay in-house only when they cover the adult neurology service at Stanford University Hospital. The PGY2 and PGY3 residents take all the calls, primarily through a night-float system. This amounts to 4 to 6 weeks of night-float plus sporadic call coverage on weekends during other rotations in the first 2 years. Coverage of the child neurology, VA and Santa Clara Valley services is done from home.
Are there sufficient patients for residency training?
Absolutely! Although Stanford has always been a research-intensive university, its clinical programs serve a diverse patient population in a densely populated region. Despite the busy services, residents have time to read and learn neurology, thanks to the excellent ancillary services at all the hospitals, and the emphasis on consult and outpatient neurology on many of the clinical services.
What is my salary?
- Annual Stipend (2007-8)
A cost-of-living increase may be expected each year.
PGY2 $50,720 PGY4 $57,693 - Educational Benefits
Moving Stipend (one time only, most will qualify) $3,000 Educational Fund (annual) $1,000 Neurology Book Fund (annual) $600 Reimbursement for State License $805
Can I afford to live in Silicon Valley?
It is no secret that even faculty members complain about the affordability of housing. The opportunities in Silicon Valley, the weather and geography, and the quality public schools have attracted young professionals and families to the area. Although housing and rental prices have skyrocketed for the past decades, the current downturn in the economy has moderated the housing cost. The city of Palo Alto, where Stanford is located, is generally the most expensive because of its highly regarded public school system. Some Stanford-owned units are available on campus at below market rates. Other studios and apartments in adjacent cities such as Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Redwood City are available at $800 to $1500 per month within 20 minutes of the medical center. You will have better choices if you can afford to pay more or willing to live farther away.
What is it like to live near Stanford and Palo Alto?
The School of Medicine is located on the main campus of Stanford University. Students and residents have access to the remarkable intellectual, cultural and recreational opportunities of Stanford. Resources include the graduate and undergraduate libraries, athletic facilities, Pac-10 sports events, concerts, theater, and film series. About two-thirds of the 8180 acres of the campus are open space, and are popular among hikers and joggers. The region is a haven for outdoor activities. The Northern California coastline, coastal mountains, San Francisco and San Jose are within an hour of driving. Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks, ski areas around Lake Tahoe, and many other attractions of the Sierra mountains are approximately 3 to 5 hours away.
