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The UNC Adult Neurology Residency Program is a four-year (PGY-1 to PGY-4), categorical training program which all 4 years are spent at the main UNC Medical Center and our outpatient clinics

Currently we are matching seven residents per class. 


Program by Training Year

PGY – 1

Your intern year is spent primarily with the Internal Medicine Department where you will join other categorial program interns, preliminary program interns, and internal medicine interns.

Rotation: Total Duration:
Internal Medicine 32 weeks
Emergency Medicine 4 weeks
Neurology 8 weeks
Psychiatry 4 weeks
Vacation 4 weeks

PGY – 2

Your PGY-2 year is the first year as a primary neurologist.  This is largely focused on inpatient neurology and learning the fundamentals of common neurologic disorders. You will also start your longitudinal resident clinic where you will follow your own primary patients throughout the duration of your residency.  We employ and X+Y model for the PGY-2 schedule to allow for dedicated inpatient weeks separated by dedicated outpatient weeks.  

Rotation: Total Duration:
Inpatient Neurology (General Wards, Stroke Wards, Consults) 16 weeks
EEG 4 weeks
Child Neurology 4 weeks
Clinic Rotation 10 weeks
Elective 4 weeks
Neuro Intensive Care 4 weeks
Night Float/Jeopardy 4 weeks
Vacation 4 weeks

PGY – 3

This year focuses on developing your subspecialty interests by rotating through the subspecialty clinics and growing more independent in neurologic practice.  You have the opportunity and space to do dedicated scholarship electives in research, education, global neurology, or procedural subspecialties.   

Rotation: Total Duration:
Inpatient Neurology Senior (General Wards, Stroke Wards, Consults) 8 weeks
Night Float/Swing 16 weeks
Child Neurology 4 weeks
EMG 4 – 12 weeks
Clinical Elective/Jeopardy 8 – 16 weeks
Vacation 4 weeks

PGY – 4

You return to the inpatient services as a senior and focus now on learning how to lead teams, teach, and be the primary decision-maker in the management of neurologic patientsYour attendings will continue to be there for assistance and additional teaching, but the goal is to grow into fully independent and excellent in clinical practice.

Rotation: Total Duration:
Inpatient Neurology Senior (General Wards, Stroke Wards, Consults) 16 weeks
Night Float/Swing 12 weeks
Child Neurology 4 weeks
Clinical Elective 16 weeks
Vacation 4 weeks

Curriculum

Noon Conference (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

We utilize a rotating block curriculum so that a total of 9 subspecialty lecture series will be covered per academic year.  Noon conferences are offered in a hybrid model of in-person and virtual to allow our outpatient residents to attend lecture.  

Case Report (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)

Opportunity for the inpatient services to share each other’s interesting cases. Facilitated by the senior residents, it is an opportunity for our junior residents to practice the art of localization and differential development.

Resident Teaching Conferences

Twice monthly including Localization Series and Board Review 

Professional Development Series (Monthly)

Specialty topics relevant to career development and practice with sessions on teaching as a resident, time management, building a curriculum vitae, research as a resident, advocacy and more. 

Neurology Grand Rounds

UNC Neurology faculty and invited guest lecturers on innovations and best clinical practice in Neurology.  

Neurology Boot Camp and Simulation Series

PGY-2 specific series during July and August to bring you back into the great big world of Neurology.  Includes live stroke code simulations, rapid response simulations, LP training, and intensive learning in acute care neurology, common clinical questions, and interactive quiz show. 

Collection of photos from the Adult Resident 2024 Boot Camp.


Program Administration

Questions regarding the application and interview process as well as general program questions may be directed to the Program Director, Dr. Winnie Lau; the Associate Program Director, Dr. Dena Williams; or the Residency and Fellowship Coordinator, Sharon Ward. Email them at: .

Winnie Lau, MD
Winnie Lau, MD
Adult Residency Program Director
Dena Williams, DO
Dena Williams, DO
Adult Residency Associate Director
Sharon Ward
Sharon Ward
Adult Residency Coordinator