University of California San Diego Medical Center Program

Child Neurology Analyst Verified · Aug 30, 2026

University of California San Diego Medical Center Program

University of California San Diego Medical Center Program is a residency program specializing in Child Neurology, located in San Diego, California, directed by Jeffrey J. Gold, MD, PhD and coordinated by Lurenette Griffin. and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (858) 966-6449. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

This is a five-year categorical academic program combining pediatrics and adult/child neurology training, based at Rady Children's Hospital—San Diego County's only free-standing children's hospital—alongside UC San Diego Medical Center's Department of Neurosciences, the top NIH-funded neurosciences department in the country. The clinical population spans the full socioeconomic spectrum, explicitly including underserved and refugee populations, and residents encounter both routine and rare pediatric neurologic presentations. Research is a stated major focus of the division, with active work in neurodevelopmental disorders, stroke, movement disorders, and epilepsy (including a Level 4 pediatric epilepsy center and dedicated Epilepsy Research Center), though the program explicitly notes research experience is "beneficial but not required" for selection. With only two positions filled per year, the program emphasizes a small, tightly connected cohort integrated across pediatrics and adult neurology services.

Who it fits

An applicant pursuing academic child neurology who values strong clinical grounding across the full acuity and socioeconomic spectrum, with research as a genuine interest rather than a mandatory pillar of their application narrative.

Research intensity

Moderate - research is described as a major divisional focus and encouraged, but explicitly stated as not required for selection.

Career orientation

Mixed - Academic Medicine, Fellowship

Important

The program states it values performance on neurology, pediatrics, and other clinical rotations, letters of recommendation (preferably at least one from a neurologist), general academic performance, and personal qualities and achievements, with research experience noted as beneficial but not required.

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