Child Residency Program

Find Out About

• Overview
• Rotations
• Apply
• Prerequisite Training
• Program Leadership
• Residents
  
  

Overview

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 their training. During their first year with neurology, 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.

Rotations

Each of the 13-blocks is four weeks in duration

Pgy-3

Child Neurology inpatient and outpatient: 5.5 blocks

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

Electroencephalogram (EEG): 1.5 blocks

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Pgy-4

Child Neurology Inpatient: 5 blocks

Child Neurology Electives: 3 blocks

Adult Neurology Inpatient: 1 block

Neuro-ophthalmology: 1 block

Neuroradiology (Pediatric and Adult): 1 block

Neuromuscular Medicine: 1 block

Pediatric Palliative Care: ½ block

Adult Neurology Elective: ½ block

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Pgy-5

Child Neurology Inpatient: 5 blocks

Child Neurology Electives: 4.5 blocks

Child Psychiatry: 1 block

Movement Disorders: 1 block

Pediatric Palliative Care: ½ block

Neuropathology: ½ block

Adult Neurology Elective: ½ block

Apply

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)
  

Prerequisite Training

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.

Leadership

Ewa M. Way, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Program Director, Child Neurology Residency Program

Ewa M. Way, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Program Director, Child Neurology Residency Program

Department of Neurology

Division of Child Neurology

Phone: (804) 828-7929

Email: ewa.way@vcuhealth.org

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View Faculty Expertise Profile

Kelsey Schneider

Fellowship Coordinator

Kelsey Schneider

Fellowship Coordinator

Education Department

Phone: (804) 828-0100

Email: Kelsey.Schneider@vcuhealth.org

Current Residents

Prateek Sharma, DO – PGY-5

Prateek Sharma, DO – PGY-5

Prateek (he/his) was born and raised in Madison, WI. He went to undergraduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Des Moines University for medical school. Prateek’s interests in neurology include both general adult and pediatric neurology as well as neuromuscular, headache, and sleep medicine. He was drawn to VCU Child Neurology because he felt like there was an unmatched camaraderie within the program, and that he would get a chance to treat a diverse population of patients. Prateek enjoys exploring the wide variety of restaurants in Richmond as well as walks along the James River. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Lauren Gebhardt, DO – PGY-4

Lauren Gebhardt, DO – PGY-4

Lauren (she/her) was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She majored in Neuroscience and Classical Studies at the College of William and Mary and then completed her medical degree at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Lauren’s research areas of interest include neurodevelopment and neuromuscular disorders. She chose to join the VCU Child Neurology program due to the opportunities to work closely with providers who specialize in neuromuscular disorders and research as well as the strong community between faculty, residents, and other health care providers at VCU. In her free time, Lauren enjoys trying new restaurants around the city and spending time with her family, friends, and co-residents.

Fatima Issa, MD – PGY-3

Fatima Issa, MD – PGY-3

Fatima (she/her) was born in Canada and raised in Michigan. She went to Wayne State University for her undergrad studies, and University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts for medical school. Fatima's research areas of interest include brain tumors, epilepsy, and the association between the gut-brain barrier. She decided to join the VCU Child Neurology team because of the advanced educational structure that is present, the strong comradery between faculty, as well as the ability to branch out and delve into any subspecialty within child neurology during her residency. In her spare time, Fatima enjoys painting, completing puzzles, training for her first half marathon, and practicing yoga. Fatima greatly enjoys spending time with friends and family, so she makes sure to get that quality time when available.

Hani Abdullah, MD – PGY-2

Hani Abdullah, MD – PGY-2

Hani (she/her) was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed medical school at Aga Khan University and then moved to Indiana to attend Purdue University, where she completed her Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. Hani’s research areas of interest include neurogenetics, neuromodulation and autism spectrum disorders. She decided to join Virginia Commonwealth University, as it is an excellent location to raise a family with lots of green spaces, outdoor activities and quality childcare options. In her spare time, Hani likes to visit zoos, parks, libraries and farms with her daughter. She also enjoys exploring local cafes and traveling with her husband.

Tulan Le, DO – PGY-1

Tulan Le, DO – PGY-1

Tulan (she/her) was born and raised in Austin, TX. She went to University of the Incarnate Word for both undergrad and medical school. Tulan's interests in neurology include neuromuscular, autoimmune and headache. She was drawn to VCU Child Neurology because of the strong relationships between the health care providers and the ability to work with a diverse patient population. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, traveling, attending concerts/music festivals and spending time with friends and family.