Neurology
Education and Training
Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
Overview
Welcome to the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) at
the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Our SIGN chapter is very active, and approximately one-quarter
of the school's medical students are members of SIGN. The enthusiasm
and excellence of the faculty, residents, and staff of the Department
of Neurology contribute, in a large part, to the interest of
Rochester students in neurology. Our adviser is Ralph Jozefowicz,
M.D., who directs Mind, Brain, and Behavior Parts One and Two
(second year neurology class and third year clerkship, respectively)
and the neurology residency program at the University of Rochester.
History and Purpose of SIGN
From the American Academy of Neurology: Student Interest Group
in Neurology (SIGN) brings together medical students who are
interested in exploring the practice
of neurology.
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) supports each SIGN
chapter along with the Neurology Department or Dean's Office
at each
member's institution.
SIGN Member Benefits
The following are the benefits you receive as a SIGN member.
Contact Cheryl Alementi at calementi@aan.com for
more information.
Meetings
Meetings are held monthly during the academic year, at which
faculty and/or residents speak about a wide variety of topics.
Recent speakers include:
Frederick Marshall, M.D.
Jonathan Mink, M.D., Ph.D.
Gerald Honch, M.D.
Ralph Jozefowicz, M.D.
Jennifer Kwon, M.D.
Heidi Schwarz, M.D.
The speakers discuss a wide variety of topics, from clinical
knowledge about their subspecialties to a general discussion
of the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a career in neurology.
Neurology residents always participate in a panel at least once
each year to address specific questions about the application
process, the character and quality of life as a resident, and
other issues that students may raise. The meetings also promote
congeniality and camaraderie between students and faculty; members
of each group often gather at a nearby restaurant after meetings
for informal socialization.
SIGN Shadowing Program
The University of Rochester medical school curriculum is unique
in that students now begin outpatient clinical rotations in the
first year of medical school. Students are briefly introduced
to outpatient neurology in the second year. The SIGN Shadowing
Program provides students with the opportunity to spend more
time with a neurology resident in his or her weekly clinic. Interested
students may also take call with a resident in the hospital,
thus gaining exposure to acute neurology before beginning the
neurology clerkship in the third year.
CO-SIGN
Our SIGN group hopes to launch COSIGN (College Student Interest
Group in Neurology) beginning in the 2002-2003 academic year.
Members of SIGN will serve as mentors and teachers of regional
undergraduate students who plan to apply to medical school and
are considering careers in neurology. Please see the AAN
web site for more details.
Handbook for Applicants to Neurology
Residency Programs
American Academy of Neurology 2001 Annual Meeting
Resident/Fellows Consortium
Top Ten Tips for Finding Your Residency Program:
-
Look early and
get exposure to neurology early (if not required in the
third year).
-
Make sure that the place you are interviewing for your
internship is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology (see web site for certified programs).
-
Ask questions
of residents currently in the programs to which you apply.
-
Consider
spending time at program to which you apply or stay an extra
day after you interview.
-
Find out what kind of fellowship opportunities
the program's graduates achieve.
-
Ask about the performances
of the residents on the boards.
-
Find out what relationships
between faculty, staff, and residents are like.
-
Determine what
types of hospitals you will work in (university? Community?
VA?). Consider applying to a program that offers all three.
-
Find
out what types of patients you will see as a resident.
-
Consider
the location of the school/program in making your choice.
