Pediatric Neurology

Program Director
Dr. Jean Mah
Alberta Children's Hospital
2888 Shaganappi Trail NW
Calgary  AB  T3B 6A8
Phone: (403) 955-2481
Fax: (403) 955-2922
e-mail: jean.mah@albertahealthservices.ca

Program Administrator: 
Anny Neisz
e-mail: anny.neisz@albertahealthservices.ca 

For further information see also:
http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/clin/child/paed (click on Directory)
http://www.carms.ca (click on Directory)

Program Outline
The program in Pediatric Neurology at the University of Calgary is divided into 2 components:

• During the first 1.5 years, the major emphasis is on General Pediatrics. During this time, Residents complete the following rotations (each block equals 4 weeks):

4 blocks	General Pediatrics on the Wards
2 blocks	Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
1 block	Pediatric Cardiology
2 blocks	Medical Genetics
1 block	Research Methods Course
2 blocks	Critical Care Medicine
1 block	Infectious Diseases
1 block	Pediatric Neurology
1 block	Pediatric Emergency Medicine
1 block	Child Psychiatry
1 block	Developmental Pediatrics
1 block	Metabolic Diseases
1 block	Pediatric Oncology

 

• In the final 3.5 years, the focus is on Adult and Pediatric Neurology. During these years, the Residents complete the following rotations:

18 blocks	Pediatric Neurology
6 blocks	Adult Neurology
3 blocks	Neuroradiology
1 block	Pediatric Neurosurgery
2 blocks	Neuropathology
1 block	Physiatry
3 blocks	EEG

 

• At least 6 blocks are available for electives, which may include additional Neurophysiology training (EEG, EP or EMG), Neuro-ophthalmology, Neuro-oncology, Neuro-metabolic disorders, Epilepsy, Neuromuscular Diseases, enrollment in graduate studies (i.e., Master or PhD program), and/or either basic science or clinical research. Residents who have completed six blocks of EEG may be eligible to sit for the Canadian EEG Board Certifying Exam at the end of their fourth year.

• There are four weeks of holiday each year, which can be taken together, or divided into shorter periods and taken during the mandatory rotations to increase the available elective time to 11 blocks in total.

• The Pediatric Neurology service has a very active patient consultation service with 120-140 referrals per month. While doing their Pediatric Neurology rotation, Residents participate in a minimum of 2-3 outpatient clinics per week in which a wide range of clinical conditions are seen, including epilepsy, developmental delay, stroke, neurodegenerative conditions, cerebral palsy, headache, movement disorders, and neuromuscular diseases. In addition, there are approximately 10-15 neurological consultations per week through the inpatient service and the Emergency Department.

• Beginning in the 1st year of the program, Residents participate in a half day pediatric neurology longitudinal follow-up clinic under the supervision of one of the attending pediatric neurologists. They see patients through this clinic on a weekly basis throughout their training.

Seminars and Rounds
The Pediatric Neurology Program at the University of Calgary is education driven. During the first year of the program, Residents attend the weekly Pediatric Grand Rounds and participate in other General Pediatric teaching rounds and Pediatric academic half day seminars one half day per week. During the teaching time, Residents are excused from their clinical duties.

After their first year, Residents participate in the weekly Neurosciences half day seminars with the Adult Neurology residents. Other regularly scheduled teaching rounds include Pediatric Neurology Rounds (weekly), Clinical Neuroscience Grand Rounds (weekly), Pediatric Neurology didactic teaching sessions (weekly), Epilepsy Surgery Conference (twice monthly), Stroke Rounds (monthly), Neuromuscular Rounds (monthly), Neuropathology / brain cutting sessions (weekly), and Journal Clubs (monthly).

Research
During the first year, the Residents take part in a 4-week Research methods Course, which enables them to prepare a clinical or basic science research project to be completed within the next two to three years of their training. On-going technical support and mentorship is provided by the assigned Pediatric Neurology Faculty, and funding is available to allow Residents to present their results at a national or international scientific meeting.

Resources
Most of the 5-year Pediatric Neurology Residency Training Program is spent at the Alberta Children's Hospital with the exception of the rotations in Neonatal Intensive Care, which take place at the Foothills Medical Centre, and rotations in Adult Neurology, which occur at the Foothills Medical Centre, the Peter Lougheed Centre and the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary. 

The Alberta Children's Hospital is the tertiary care pediatric centre for south-central Alberta, eastern British Columbia and western Saskatchewan with an estimated population of 1.5 million people. All of the pediatric neurologists in the health region work out of this hospital.

Selection Criteria
Entrance into the Pediatric Neurology program is through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). In addition to high academic standing, the candidate should have strong communication and team-work skills which are confirmed during the in-person interviews.