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Child Neurology Residency Program

UC Irvine Health School of Medicine offers a three-year ACGME-accredited Child Neurology Residency Program.

The Categorical Track is a five-year program that includes two years in the UC Irvine-CHOC Pediatric Residency Program, followed by a three-year residency in child neurology. Applications for the categorical track must submitted to the Child Neurology Residency Program and the UCI-CHOC Pediatric Residency categorical program. Candidates invited for interviews meet with representatives of the Pediatric Residency Program and the Child Neurology Program on separate days. There are two categorical-track positions available beginning July 1.

Neurologist checking in on patient

How to Apply

The Child Neurology Residency Program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are accepted only through NRMP’s Electronic Residency Application Service, also called ERAS®.

Applications must be submitted to the UCI-CHOC Pediatric Residency Program and the UCI Child Neurology Residency Program.

Residency applicants must provide:

  • A dean’s letter (MSPE) from your medical school.
  • Three letters of recommendation. We prefer one letter from a neurology faculty member who worked closely with you as well as two letters from a faculty member of your choosing.
  • Personal Statement
  • Medical school transcript
  • USMLE Step I score (required)
  • USMLE Step II CK and CS scores is required to begin any of our residency training programs – score reports are highly recommended prior to rank list due date. We also prefer those who passed their USMLE examinations on the first attempt.

Application Deadlines

The deadline to submit ERAS applications for the Child Neurology Residency Program is Dec. 1. However, we recommend applying by early October. Once your completed application is submitted, it will be forwarded for review by the selection committee.

Selected applicants will be contacted to arrange interviews.

Questions? Please email uci-choc-pedsneurofellowship@choc.org

Learn more about the categorical pediatric residency program and UC Irvine salary and benefits here.

UCI-CHOC Child Neurology Fellowship

Dr. Maija Steenari, CHOC pediatric neurologist and fellowship program director, explains more about the program.

Watch a virtual tour of CHOC Hospital

Program Administration

Maija Steenari, MD

  • Program Director Child Neurology Residency Program
  • Assistant Clinical Professor, UCI Department of Pediatrics

Karen Olson

  • Coordinator, UCI Child Neurology Residency Program

Didactics

Year 3:

  • Monday morning report — 8-9 a.m.
  • Tuesday evening journal club — 6-7 p.m.
  • Wednesday lecture series — 7:30-9 a.m., Neuroradiology; 9-10 a.m., Neurophysiology
  • Thursday morning lecture — 8-9 a.m.
  • Friday grand rounds — 8-9 a.m.

Years 4 and 5:

  • Monday morning sign out rounds — 8-9 a.m.
  • Tuesday afternoon professor rounds — 2-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday core lecture series — 1-2 p.m. (While on electives, residents can attend the Adult Neurology Lecture series from 7:30-10 a.m.)
  • Thursday case conference — 12-1 p.m.
  • Friday grand rounds — 8-9 a.m.

Previous Graduates

Rachel Pearson, MD, 2019 graduate
Fellowship in Neuro Trauma at UCLA, Los Angeles, California

Desiree Levyim, MD, 2019 graduate
Locum Tenans, Sacramento and Long Beach, California

LeAnn Hoang, MD, 2018 graduate
Progressive Neurology & Sleep Medicine Associates, Riverside, California

Rita Marshall, MD, 2018 graduate
Pediatric Neurology private practice, Kaiser Permanente, Fontana, California

Megan Waldrop, MD, 2016 graduate
Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University

Monika Garg, MD, 2015 graduate
Private practice, Los Angeles, California

Suman Ghosh, MD, 2014 graduate
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Maija-Riikka Steenari, MD, 2013 graduate
UC Irvine/CHOC Epilepsy Fellowship, 2013-2014
Faculty member, CHOC Hospital in Orange faculty, 2014

Rohini Coorg, MD, 2012 graduate
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, Washington University
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine

Anjalee W. Galion, MD, 2012 graduate
Sleep Medicine Fellowship 2012-2013, Cedars Sinai-UCLA
Assistant Program Director, Child Neurology Training Program, UC Irvine Department of Pediatrics
Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Irvine/CHOC Hospital in Orange

Guojun Zhang, MD, 2012 graduate
Neurophysiology Fellowship 2012-2013, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Pediatric neurology private practice, San Antonio, Texas

Sharon Kim, MD, 2010 graduate
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship 2010-2011, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Irvine/CHOC Hospital in Orange