The Division of Child Neurology accepts one resident each year for a categorical residency training program.

Led by Dr. Ewa Way, the Child Neurology Residency Program allows increasing patient-care responsibility across three years of training. During the first year, emphasis is on the foundations of clinical neurology, primarily bedside anatomic localization and clinical diagnosis. 

The modern clinical neuroscientist must be well-versed in the most up-to-date technical neurodiagnostic procedures, and all trainees will gain expertise through daily conferences and mandatory clinical rotations. 

Elective opportunity in pediatric neurological rehabilitation is also available. National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded and university-funded programs provide lab-based and clinical research for senior-level residents. 

The residency offers organized clinical neuroscience teaching opportunities with the possibility for significant elective time. Residents complete their first two years of training in VCU’s Department of Pediatrics before joining the team in the Division of Child Neurology for the remainder of the five-year program. Upon completion, successful residents will be eligible for board exams in both pediatrics and neurology. 

Regular didactic engagements include basic neuroscience, clinical neurophysiology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, child neurology and resident care presentations. Grand rounds accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education occur once a week and include a variety of topics and speakers. 

Each of the 13-blocks is four weeks in duration

PGY-3: 

Child Neurology inpatient and clinic: 7.5 blocks  

Adult neurology (inpatient wards, night float, outpatient clinic): 7.5 blocks  

Electroencephalogram (EEG): 1.5 blocks

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PGY-4:

Child Neurology inpatient and clinic: 5 blocks 

Adult Neurology (consult, outpatient clinic, neuro-ophthalmology): 5 blocks 

Neuropathology: 1 block 

Electives: 2 blocks  

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PGY-5: 

Child Neurology inpatient and clinic: 4 blocks 

Child Psychiatry: 1 block 

Electives: 8 blocks

Residency positions begin July 1 of each year, with an application deadline of December 1 the prior year. This program is categorical and only requires applicants to apply to our child neurology program – a separate application to pediatrics is not required. 

The Division of Child Neurology participates in the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) and accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). 

• Additional application materials include: 
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with the applicant’s e-mail address and phone number 
• Personal statement 
• NRMP number 
• Official medical school transcript 
• Test scores 
  • USMLE (must pass – no minimum score) 
  • COMLEX (if applicable)
  • TOEFL (if applicable – minimum score 600)
  • CSA step 2CS (if applicable) 
  • TWE (if applicable) 
• Notarized copy of visa (if applicable – VCU can only sponsor J-1 clinical visas) 
• Letters of recommendation: A minimum of three U.S. or Canadian physicians who know the applicant’s clinical skills and have worked with the applicant during the past two years (must be originals; no electronic copies) 

Applicants to the child neurology residency must successfully complete the prerequisit training outlined by the American Board of Pediatrics. 

After acceptance and prior to joining the program, applicants must provide a list of rotations completed during prerequisite training. This document, on letterhead from the institution where training was completed, must arrive no later than July 15. 

Applicants who plan to complete this training at another institution must ensure it meets American Council for Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology requirements.  

The Children's Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) was designed for and with the help of families and providers in the community, based on extensive research into best practices in pediatric health care. When combined with the adjacent outpatient Children’s Pavilion, the Children’s Tower (shown above) completes a city block – nearly 1 million square feet – dedicated to caring for kids. The 16-story building houses the region’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center and emergency department with 24/7 access to any pediatric specialist a child may need, along with family amenities and 72 all-private acute and intensive care rooms that are among the most spacious in the country.

CHoR has seen parallel growth with child neurology faculty and the expansion of the new state of the art Children's Pavilion and a new children's inpatient tower (shown). The strength of the child Neurology Division lies in its friendly atmosphere with approachable faculty, making it a welcoming and inclusive group. 

Recently, U.S. News & World Report has named Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU one of the nation’s best hospitals for kids in eight out of 10 pediatric specialties – the most since the Best Children’s Hospital rankings were established 17 years ago.

"Recent years have seen the city of Richmond and the greater metropolitan area transform from an older traditional city of the south to a vibrant diverse community as we grow, attracting people from all backgrounds and regions. There has been an underlying excitement that is palpable for the future in the new opportunities. Likewise, we who take care of the children of the Greater Richmond area and more broadly through the Commonwealth are embarking on a new era with the opening of our dedicated inpatient tower. Good teams do not happen by accident but rather a coming together of people unified by the common goals of the care of children, building upon the dreams and vision of those who preceded us. It is humbling that our efforts have been recognized by colleagues nationally." -Dr. Lawrence Morton