To educate outstanding neurology residents and assist their entrance into academic medicine or excellent private neurology practice. We will do this by providing a firm foundation for lifelong learning through exposure to research intense faculty with excellent didactic and clinical skills.
The Michigan State University/UMH-Sparrow Neurology Residency Program provides its residents with a vibrant and focused neurology training program. This program, over its first decade, has accomplished some remarkable things. Our specialty board pass rate is 100% to date. Graduates have entered into terrific fellowships, secured academic faculty opportunities nationwide and also acquired exceptional private Neurology positions. There have been exciting research projects pursued and presentations at national meetings. The successful resident applicant has the opportunity to learn from faculty that have been brought together in East Lansing from top programs throughout the United States.
At UMH-Sparrow:
Organized and progressive responsibility in the care of patients with neurologic diseases is the essence of the Residency Program. This is achieved under the supervision of outstanding and dedicated faculty. As residents progress through the program, their clinical neurologic judgment will mature. We help provide interest in research trends through exposure to clinical and basic researchers. Teaching skills are highly coveted and emphasized. Continuity of residency education experience is an essential part of training. The program will strive to provide residents with this vital continuity in medical educational efforts to build a foundation for lifelong learning. UMH-Sparrow Hospital
At Michigan State University:
The Residency Program provides each resident with senior resident and faculty mentors upon arrival. We then expose residents to graduated patient care responsibilities as they develop their expertise. The outpatient component of the education program provides opportunities for longitudinal care in general neurology and subspecialty areas. The outpatient setting occurs on the campus of a well-known academic community (Michigan State University). This allows the residents additional opportunities in teaching and research. The Department of Neurology and its outpatient clinics are located in the Michigan State University Clinical Center.
Residency selection is the responsibility of the Michigan State University/UMH-Sparrow Neurology Residency Selection Committee. Supervision over the selection process and residency notification resides with the committee and is led by the Committee Chair and the Program Directors. To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria including the following:
The length of the program is four years and includes the PGY-1 year. The residency can include up to one year in experimental neurology, research, or work emphasizing the neurological relationship with basic science if desired by the successful applicant. The program is designed to integrate clinical care and bedside teaching. Integral parts of the program include didactics, instruction in principles of education, organization, administration, ward management, and teaching.
Clinical work shall at least include performing/exposure to neurologic procedures and techniques, including:
Active participation by residents is expected at educational conferences and meetings, including the following forums:
The faculty and staff of the Department of Neurology participate in numerous subspecialty care clinics, including:
Inpatient rotations will take place predominantly at UMH-Sparrow Hospital, while outpatient clinics will take place at the MSU Clinical Center. A sample curriculum appears below:
PGY-1
PGY-2
PGY-3
PGY-4
Elective rotations may include additional months in:
This is a brief description of the benefits provided by UMH-Sparrow Hospital. This summary is intended only to provide an overview. Residents are welcome to review the detailed policies in the Human Resource or Medical Education offices. Employee benefit plans are reviewed at least annually and changes may be mandated by governmental regulation or may be desirable from the employer's standpoint. The employer reserves the right to add, terminate, alter or replace the various benefit programs.
I. Resident/Subspecialty Resident Stipend
Residents and Subspecialty Residents are paid an education stipend, as specified in their contract, which is payable in biweekly installments.
Residents-2025-26 | Subspecialty Residents 2025-26 | ||
PGY 1 | $61,000/year | PGY 5 | $69,000/year |
PGY 2 | $63,000/year | PGY 6 | $71,000/year |
PGY 3 | $65,000/year | PGY 7 | $73,000/year |
PGY 4 | $67,000/year |
II. Other Financial Benefits
III. Duty Hours and Time Off
The purpose of resident education programs offered by UMH-Sparrow Hospital is education. UMH-Sparrow recognizes that quality education can only be provided when quality patient care is foremost with attending and resident physicians. In order for a resident to achieve optimal educational benefit and patients to achieve optimum patient care, a variety of duty hours are necessary. The hours of duty and responsibilities of residents will be determined by the Residency Programs in conformance with standards set by Accrediting Agencies, specialty guidelines, and high standards for the specialty care patients. Duty hours will be limited to 80 hours per week, averaged over a four week period, inclusive of all in-house call activities and all moonlighting. Time spent by residents in Internal and External Moonlighting must be counted towards the 80-hour Maximum Weekly Hour Limit. Interns cannot moonlight. Residents must be scheduled for a minimum of one day free of duty every week (when averaged over four weeks). At-home call cannot be assigned on these free days. Residents may not be assigned to in-house call activities more frequently than every-third-night. The frequency of at-home call is not subject to the every-third-night limitation, but must satisfy the requirements for one-day–in-seven free of duty, when averaged over four weeks. Residents must not be scheduled more than six consecutive nights of night float. A resident must report any violations of duty hours rules to his/her Program Director and/or to Graduate Medical Education. Time off for any reason must receive prior approval of the Residency Director. Residents must be responsible for understanding that accreditation, graduation licensing and board eligibility may all be affected by Leaves of Absence from a Residency Program. If there is any doubt about the effects of a Leave of Absence on graduation, accreditation, licensing, or board eligibility, the Resident is responsible for obtaining written clarification prior to taking the Leave of Absence. The Residency Program Director may provide guidance and assistance. Leaves of absence must follow Human Resources’ policies.
IV. Insurance
Residents are eligible for the standard Hospital insurance coverage as defined in the Human Resources policies as they exist from time to time. Residents are subject to conditions and details of these policies. Below is a summary:
V. Medical Care and Pharmaceutical
VI. Other Benefits
Employee benefit plans are reviewed at least annually and changes may be mandated by governmental regulation or may be desirable from the employer's standpoint. The employer reserves the right to add, terminate, alter, or replace the various benefit programs.
The UMH-Sparrow Hospital is a 650-bed non-profit, community governed, comprehensive integrated health delivery system. It is committed to improving the health status of all people throughout Michigan by providing quality, compassionate care to everyone, every time.
UMH-Sparrow Hospital Services include: Cancer Center (regional); Children’s Center (regional); Community Health Education; Diabetes Center (regional); Medical Education and Clinical Research; Occupational Health Services; Pain Management Center (regional); Pharmacy Services; Pulmonary Diagnostic Services; and Women’s Services. UMH-Sparrow has a designated “Neurology Center of Excellence” comprised of specialists with one goal in mind to provide a complete range of care for patients with neurological disorders.
Recognitions for the UMH-Sparrow Hospital include HCIA “100 Top Hospitals in the Nation”, HCIA “100 Top Hospitals for Cardiovascular Services”, JCAHO accreditation, and accreditation to the UMH-Sparrow Regional Cancer Center and Tumor Registry by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. UMH-Sparrow is Michigan's first certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. It is one of a few such programs in the United States. In addition, Neuro-Intervention is also under the direction of UMH-Sparrow's Stroke Neurologists and Neuro-Interventionalists. UMH-Sparrow’s Trauma Center has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. It provides the latest technology in neurosurgery, neuroimaging, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitative services. UMH-Sparrow is Michigan’s first member in the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network giving our doctors direct access to experts at Mayo Clinic. This collaboration is helping to provide some of the most advanced care in the nation.
The new Neuroscience Center opened in July 2013. This comprehensive patient-centered facility will bring together our leading-edge William & Claire Dart Stroke Center, Neuro-Interventional Unit, Neuro Trauma ICU, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Neurophysiology Unit and Neuro-Oncology Services, as well as a support for patients and their families on the top two floors of the UMH-Sparrow Tower. (www.sparrow.org/neurosciences) UMH-Sparrow Hospital
The Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology was formally established at Michigan State University on July 1, 2000. It is an outgrowth of the former Neuro-Ophthalmology and Clinical Neurosciences Unit that has existed on campus since 1986. The Department’s broad research program is supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and multiple other granting agencies. A current focus of this research is directed at diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, optic neuritis, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. The Department also collaborates with dozens of affiliated basic neuroscience research laboratories on the MSU campus. The clinical responsibilities of the Department are fulfilled by on-campus faculty who have subspecialty training in a number of different disciplines of neurology. To enrich its research, clinical and educational programs, the Department also collaborates with numerous clinical faculty within Lansing and statewide.
Michigan State University
Founded in 1855 as an autonomous public institution of higher learning by and for the citizens of Michigan, this institution was in 1863 designated the beneficiary of the Morrill Act endowment. It became one of the earliest land-grant institutions in the United States. Since 1863, MSU has evolved into an internationally esteemed university, offering a comprehensive spectrum of programs and attracting gifted professors, staff members, and students. The University seeks excellence in all programs and activities, and this challenge for high achievement creates a dynamic atmosphere. At MSU, instruction, research, and public services are integrated to make the institution an innovative, responsive public resource.
MSU fulfills the fundamental purposes of all major institutions of higher education: to seek, to teach, and to preserve knowledge. As a land-grant institution, this university meets these objectives in all its formal and informal educational programs, in basic and applied research, and in public service. As an AAU institution, this university meets these commitments through its instructional and research programs. Through the excellence of its academic programs, the strength of its support services, and the range of its student activities, the university provides opportunities for the fullest possible development of the potential of each student and each citizen served, and enhances the quality of life and the economic viability of Michigan. Education of its citizens is the state’s best investment in its future. MSU has honored, and will continue to honor, this public trust.
INTERACTIVE LEARNING
The Michigan State University Department of Neurology is actively involved in promoting interactive learning between the department and our affiliated hospitals throughout the state via desktop videoconference (DVC) technology. The Department currently utilizes DVC technology with weekly state and interstate teleconferences. Additionally, neuroscientists are occasionally invited to deliver didactic lectures over DVC.
The Department of Neurology is involved in research in many areas, including multiple sclerosis, pediatrics, concussion, seizure, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. These projects include:
Myasthenia Gravis
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Migraine
Thyroid Eye Disease
Epilepsy
Stroke
Parkinson’s Disease
Cervical Dystonia
Alzheimer’s Disease
The tri-county Lansing area is also the capital of Michigan, home to nearly 500,000 people. Lansing and its surrounding area offer a host of activities for everyone, regardless of age. In every season, there are thrills and traditions to be experienced by all. Whether you love sports, shopping, fairs, or music, Greater Lansing has a spectacular list of things to do and places to visit. Read why Mid-Michigan Region is the best of both worlds! Some of the local attractions include:
If sports are your passion, we have just the ticket. We offer athletics in the form of a variety of MSU sports, including football, basketball, and hockey.
The Lansing Lugnuts is the local minor league baseball team which plays in the 10,000 seat Jackson Field Stadium.
Michigan State University and UMH-Sparrow Hospital offer an in-depth, didactically rich, clinical neurology experience to residents successful in application to this program. The experience offers a well-balanced integration between inpatient and outpatient experience. The residency has the unique feature of being able to provide an aggressive research experience based in MSU’s affiliated clinical neuroscience and neurobiology laboratories if desired by the successful candidate. There is a broad didactic educational experience based on resident exposure to multiple neuroscience courses already offered on campus. Graduating neurology residents will be prepared to perform well on certifying examinations and to provide excellent care for their patients. We anticipate residents entering academic programs or well regarded private neurology practice upon graduation.