Neurology Residency Program

Faculty in Support of the Program
  • Thomas A Schubert DVM, Diplomate ACVIM - Neurology, Service Chief and Coordinator, Diplomate ABVP
  • Roger M. Clemmons DVM, PhD; Medical neurology and neurosurgery
  • Gerald Demuth DVM, Board Qualified ACVIM
Other Specialty Faculty in Support of the Program
Cardiology
  • Amara Estrada, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM
Clinical Pathology

• Rick Alleman, DVM, Diplomate ACVP
• John Harvey, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
• Rose Raskin, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP

Dermatology

• Diane Lewis, DVM, Diplomate ACVD
• Rosanna Marsella, DVM, Diplomate ACVD

Internal Medicine

• Colin Burrows, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVIM
• Kirsten Cooke, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM
• Richard Hill, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM
• Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM
• Michael Schaer, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM, and ACVECC
• Andrew Specht, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM

Ophthalmology

• Kathy Barrie, DVM, Diplomate ACVO
• Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVO

Pathology

• Claus Buergelt, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
• William Castleman, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
• Pam Ginn, DVM, Diplomate ACVP

Radiology

• Kathy Gelatt, DVM, Diplomate ACVR

Surgery

• Gary Ellison, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
• James Farese, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
• Dan Lewis, DVM, Diplomate ACVS

Historical Background

The Neurology residency program at the University of Florida has been in existence for 25 years. Ten residents have completed the program and are Diplomates of the ACVIM - Neurology specialty.

Past University of Florida Neurology Residents

• Tom Schubert - private practice
• Linda Shell - consulting practice
• Julia Blackmore - private practice
• Gillian Irving - private practice
• Laurie Pearce – academia
• Shirley Shelton – academia
• John C. Meeks - private practice
• Simon Platt – academia
• Christopher Mariani – academia
• Ronald Johnson - private practice
• Heidi Barnes - private practice
• Kara Sessums - Board qualified - private practice
• Jerry Demuth - Board qualified - ?

General Considerations

The goals of the Neurology Resident Training program are to develop clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of small and large animals with neurological disease, fulfill the requirements for certification in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Specialty of Neurology and prepare the veterinarian for a career in medical and surgical neurology in academia or private practice. To meet these goals the Resident will spend 75% of their time in small animal neurology service activities and 25% of their time in research, special rotations, manuscript preparation, seminars, and independent study.

A formal internship or its equivalent and a formal neurology resident training program with 75 weeks assigned to a clinical neurology service and supervised by a Diplomate in the Specialty of Neurology are required to satisfy ACVIM - Neurology requirements. The 75 weeks should include 50 weeks of direct supervision where the resident and the Diplomate are on clinic duty
at the same time. The remaining 25 weeks may be indirect supervision where the Diplomate and resident meet four times weekly. To fulfill these qualifications, we require 3 years in the Neurology Resident Training Program.

The resident will have a committee of 2-3 individuals, one as their major advisor and others related to their clinical and research interests. The committee and resident will meet a minimum of once every 6 months to review the completion of program goals and for planning of the next 6 months activities.

A research project must be completed and presented at Phi Zeta Research Day. The resident's committee must approve a completed research manuscript, before the certificate of residency completion is issued.

Overview of the ACVIM Neurology Requirements
  • The resident must spend 75 weeks working in the clinic with an ACVIM board certified neurologist, develop competence in clinical neurology and be endorsed by the ACVIM
    board certified neurologist at the completion of their residency.
  • The resident must have 25% of their time as a Chief Neurology Resident with primary management of cases.
  • In addition, the resident must spend 50 hours of activity in each of the following: clinical pathology, neuropathology, neuroradiology and neurosurgery.
Required ACVIM and UF Residency Activities

Neurology Service Activities (75% of time)

  • Participate in the diagnosis and management of animals in the small animal neurology service including client and referring veterinarian communications and medical records.
  • Accurately complete and interpret:
    • a neurological history
    • a neurological examination and localization of lesions
    • a differential diagnosis list based on mechanisms of disease
    • diagnostic plans and initial therapeutic plans when applicable
    • cerebrospinal fluid collection and analysis
    • electroencephalography
    • electromyography
    • brain stem auditory evoked responses
    • spinal cord and cortical evoked responses
    • myelography and other radiograms
    • computerized axial tomography
    • magnetic resonance imaging scans
    • final diagnosis
    • medical and surgical treatment plans
      common neurosurgical approaches to the lumbar and cervical vertebral column and cranium
    • prognosis
    • gross necropsy findings
    • histological findings
  • Review necropsy and histology on all cases managed that go to the Pathology Department by attending afternoon "Show and Tell" rounds for gross findings.
  • Organize and set a schedule for monthly neurology, neuroradiology and neuropathology rounds.
  • Participate in the clinical instruction of Phase III Neurology junior and senior veterinary students including clinic case management, informal rounds and seminars and formal
    seminar presentations.
  • Be primary consultant on neurology case calls from outside veterinarians and in-house neurological case consultations on small, exotic and large animals in other services.
  • Attend the resident's conference weekly and give formal neurology presentations to the group.
  • Attend faculty and resident CPC weekly and present at least 2 neurology case presentations to the group.
  • Organize and set the schedule for weekly neurology journal club and present articles in Neurology when scheduled.
  • Attend weekly radiology rounds for residents (counts toward 50 hour requirement).
  • Attend neurology rounds at the Brain Institute whenever possible.
  • Attend internal medicine rounds and seminars whenever possible (preparation for ACVIM qualifying exam).
  • Attend ACVIM qualifying board preparation seminar topics for residents.
  • Teach in neurology didactic courses.
  • Attend lectures and laboratories in the freshman neuroscience course and present case discussions (review for neuroanatomy and neurophysiology for ACVIM certifying examination).
  • Attend one annual ACVIM Forum and present an research abstract as an oral
    presentation or poster.
  • Review of all veterinary neurology articles in journals on the reading list monthly.
  • Participate in the VMC Emergency Service on a rotating schedule with the other residents.
  • Attend bimonthly meetings with the major advisor to discuss cases, research projects and miscellaneous topics.
  • Participate in 6 month planning sessions with the advisor and others to outline the program needed to achieve the yearly goals.
  • Participate in a program and resident review and evaluation every 6 months with committee. Submit a residency program evaluation to the College Residency Committee.

Required Other Activities (25% of Time)

  • Research project proposal completed 6 months after beginning residency program.
  • Preparation and submission of a first author clinical neurology paper to a refereed journal.
  • Completion of resident research project, manuscript preparation and submission as first author to a refereed journal.
  • Clinical pathology, radiology, and neuropathology experience.
  • Rotations in internal medicine (qualifying exam preparation).
  • Rotations with other board certified neurologists in private practice or academia.
UF Neurology Residency Overview

Suggested Year 1:

9 Months Small Animal Neurology Service Activities:

  • Medical neurology only
  • Medical neurology plus neurosurgery

3 Months Other Activities:

  • Internal medicine
    Radiology, clinical pathology and neuropathology
    Research project proposal
    2 weeks vacation

Goals for Year 1:

  • Increase internal medicine experience if needed
  • 10 hours radiology and clinical pathology experience
  • Beginning clinical neurology and neurosurgical skills including electrodiagnostics and neurodiagnostic imaging
  • Research Project written and submitted for funding

Suggested Year 2:

9 Months Small Animal Neurology Service Activities:

  • Medical neurology only
  • Medical neurology plus neurosurgery

3 Months Other Activities:

  • Internal medicine
  • Radiology, clinical pathology and neuropathology
  • Complete research project
  • Submit first author clinical neurology manuscript to refereed journal
  • Prepare for and take ACVIM Qualifying Exam (5 weeks total)
  • 3 weeks vacation

Goals for Year 2:

  • Prepare for and take the ACVIM Qualifying Exam
  • Submit first author clinical neurology manuscript to refereed journal
  • 20 hours radiology and clinical pathology experience
  • Strengthen clinical neurology and neurosurgical skills
  • 20 hours neuropathology experience
  • Complete resident research project

Suggested Year 3:

9 Months Small Animal Neurology Service Activities:

  • Medical neurology only
  • Medical neurology plus neurosurgery

3 Months Other Activities:

  • Large animal neurology
  • Radiology and clinical pathology experience
  • Neuropathology experience
  • Present resident research project at Phi Zeta day
  • Prepare research manuscript
  • Present abstract of research at ACVIM Forum
  • Prepare for and take ACVIM Neurology Certifying Exam (5 weeks total)
  • 3 weeks vacation

Goals for Year 3:

  • Large animal neurology experience
  • 20 hours Radiology and clinical pathology
  • Expertise in all types of neurological problems of all species and common Neurosurgical procedures of the vertebrae and cranium.
  • Expertise in electrodiagnostics and diagnostic neuroradiography
  • 20 hours of neuropathology
  • Complete and present Resident Research Project as an abstract or poster at the ACVIM Forum and Phi Zeta day and submit the manuscript to refereed journal
  • Receive neurology residency certificate from University of Florida
  • Prepare for and take the ACVIM Neurology Certifying Exam

The Resident Advisor and resident may alter the program as outlined above to take advantage of special learning opportunities that might arise.