Medical Students

The Department of Neurology at University Hospitals provides a variety of educational programs for students in the School of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.

Visiting students from other schools may also participate in these rotations in the fourth year.

How to Apply

Visiting medical students wishing to take an elective can apply through the AAMC-VSLO platform.

The sole exception is with our major affiliate, Case Western Reserve University. CWRU SOM students should continue to register through the Case SOM Registrar’s Office.

Learn More about our application process and timelines at the UH Medical Student Office.

We ask that non-CWRU visiting students DO NOT contact departments directly. If you have any questions, please email the visiting student coordinator, Erin Zawolowycz, at Erin.Zawolowycz@uhhospitals.org.

Neurological Medicine Electives

NEUM 4000A: Neurology Acting Internship (University Hospitals): The student will have prime responsibility for patient care under direct supervision by house staff and attendings. The student will learn the basics of neurological history-taking, neurological examination, neurodiagnostic studies, and neurological therapeutics. The student will workup, write orders and will be directly responsible for the management of all patients admitted to the Neurology Service at University Hospitals of Cleveland. OBJECTIVE: To provide the student with an experience of functioning as an intern on an active acute Neurology Service. Students will function as interns on a service that does not have PGY-1 physicians functioning in that role. The PGY-2 Neurology Resident will always be available for immediate supervision, as will be PGY-3, Chief Resident. Completion of Core Clerkships in Medicine and Neuroscience.
NEUM 4000D: Neurology Acting Internship (Cleveland VA Hospital): The student will have prime responsibility for patient care on the Neurology inpatient service at the VA Medical Center, under the supervision of Neurology residents and attendings. The student will act in the role of a junior Neurology resident, performing initial histories and physicals, daily follow-ups, and executing chart entries, including initial H&Ps, progress notes, and discharge summaries. While attention will be focused on neurological issues, care must encompass medical, psychiatric, and social issues as well. In addition to Neurology inpatient care, the student will also be involved in inpatient consultations and outpatient clinics, reflecting the usual range of activities of a PGY2 Neurology resident on the VA service. OBJECTIVE: To provide students with an experience of functioning as an intern on a hospital Neurology Service, particularly those students seriously considering applying for Neurology or related residencies. DUTIES: Identical to that of a PGY2 Neurology resident, but with heavier supervision from Neurology residents. PREREQUISITE: Completion of core medical and neurology clerkships. NEUM 4000D is available exclusively in the months of JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER.
NEUM 4001A: Neurologic Critical Care (University Hospitals): The student will function as a member of the neurologic intensive care team at University Hospitals of Cleveland. The team consists of a dedicated neurointensive care attending, fellow, senior neurology resident, and 2nd year neurology residents. Together with the team, she/he will evaluate Neurology and Neurosurgery patients admitted to the neurologic intensive care unit. The student will evaluate the patient and formulate a plan for diagnosis and treatment and then present the patient to the attending. The student will also attend several weekly conferences held in the Department of Neurology. OBJECTIVE: To improve the skills of evaluating and managing patients with critical neurologic problems. Students will be responsible for development of diagnostic and treatment plans to be discussed with the house officer, fellow and attending neurologist. Completion of Core Clerkships in Medicine and Neuroscience is a prerequisite.
NEUM 4001D: Consult Neurology (Cleveland VA Hospital): The student will function as a member of the inpatient Neurology team at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Together with the residents assigned to the team, the student will gain exposure to a broad mix of neurology from the neurology inpatient service, inpatient consultation service, and the outpatient clinics. The student will be expected to function at the level of a beginning Neurology PGY2, performing complete evaluations for presentation directly to the senior resident and precepting attending, and writing initial consultations/admission notes and all follow-up notes. The student will attend all rounds and conferences required of the neurology residents assigned to VA service. OBJECTIVE: To build advanced neurology history, exam, and diagnostic skills in students interested in neurology who have already completed core medical and neurology clerkships. DUTIES: Student(s) will be responsible for development of diagnostic and treatment plans to be discussed with senior neurology house officers and the attending neurologist. PREREQUISITE: Completion of core medical and neurology clerkships. NEUM 4001D is NOT available in the months of JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER.
NEUM 4002A: Neurology Adult Stroke Acting Internship (University Hospitals): Description: During this rotation, the medical student will join the medical team involved with management of stroke and vascular neurological problems. Participants will be involved in the care of stroke patients, in the emergency dept, the Neuro-critical care unit, step down unit and floor. Students will learn how to approach an acute stroke including management decisions regarding the use of intravenous tPA. Students will also become familiar in identifying which patients may benefit from interventional procedures including intra-arterial thrombolysis, mechanical revascularization, stenting and surgical interventions. Students will participate both in the care of patients on the inpatient service and consults on other services and will become familiar with the management of both ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhages. The student will participate in daily rounds and will be responsible for the medical care for selected patients, supervised by Neurology residents, fellows, and attending physicians. Formal educational opportunities include daily rounds and a weekly stroke conference as well as the opportunity to participate in the many educational activities provided by the department of Neurology. Evaluation will be made by the Attendings on the stroke service after receiving input from other staff who have substantial contact with the student. A report will be given to deans and phase coordinators upon request. Objective: To provide an organized introduction to issues relevant to the diagnosis and management of acute neurological problems. Prerequisites: Must have completed all Core Clerkships.
NEUM 4003A: Neurology Adult Epilepsy (University Hospitals): Description and Objectives: 1. Introduce the medical student to clinical assessment of adults with new onset seizures. 2. Introduce the medical student to history -taking of adults with a seizure disorder. 3. Teach the principles of managing epilepsy with medications and surgery. 4. Expose the student to some "cutting-edge" technologies applied in epilepsy - PET, SPECT, and invasive EEG. 5. Give the medical student a clinical approach in the management of epilepsy induced comorbidities (social, psychologic, etc.). Prerequisites: students must have completed core clerkships in Medicine and Neuroscience.

Third Year Core Clerkship

All medical students are required to complete the third year Block III Core Clerkship which includes neuroscience and psychiatry. The foundation of neurologic diagnosis rests on the knowledge of neuroanatomy in conjunction with the neurologic history and physical examination. More than any field, neuroscience relies upon the oldest principles of medicine and the latest in modern technology.

With this knowledge base, advanced imaging techniques, immunologic studies and molecular genetics can then be applied to define the underlying disorder. Rapidly evolving advances now allow for treatments and surgical techniques of various neurologic disorders that were not possible a few years ago.

Clinical Experience across Neurological Disease Processes

The neuroscience portion of the Block III core clerkship allows students direct hands-on experience with a variety of neurologic patients and disease processes. All students will have responsibilities for inpatient care under the supervision of either neurology and/or neurosurgery house officers and attendings. In addition, students will attend weekly outpatient clinics. Each student will be assigned to rotate through University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center's general neurology, stroke neurology, neurocritical care, pediatric neurology or neurosurgery services or the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center's neurology service.

Each Friday, all students convene for didactic sessions covering core topics, including clinical aspects of neurology and neurosurgery.

Please keep in mind, it is not possible to master the entire field of neuroscience during a several year residency, let alone a month clerkship. However, with diligent study, motivation and initiative, each student will be able to become proficient in the evaluation of neurologic patients and learn the core concepts of neuroscience every physician needs to know, regardless of the field of medicine or surgery he/she ultimately practices.