Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program

Neurology Analyst Verified · Sep 16, 2026

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program is a residency program specializing in Neurology, located in Cleveland, Ohio, directed by Andrew B. Buletko, MD and coordinated by Lori Cesa. The program accepts applications through October 31, 2027 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (216) 218-5209. 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

Cleveland Clinic's Adult Neurology Residency is a large, academically-driven, four-year categorical program (12 positions/year, integrated internal medicine PGY-1) embedded in a quaternary-care neuroscience institute with subspecialty depth across all major domains of neurology, from vascular and neuroimmunology to epilepsy and neuromuscular disease. The program is built around graduated autonomy—residents progress from general neurology teams to neurohospitalist, consultant, and acute stroke responder roles, with structured subspecialty clinic immersion (eight core areas) beginning in PGY-2 and rotations at regional community hospitals for contrast in case mix and workflow. Research infrastructure is substantial but optional-intensity for most residents (mentored PGY3 project, funded statistical support, NIFT Research Day) while a dedicated Resident Research Track (one slot/class, six months protected research time) and Resident Educator Track exist for those pursuing clinician-scientist or academic-educator paths. Graduate outcomes overwhelmingly show fellowship placement (frequently in-house at CCF) across nearly every subspecialty, indicating the program is structured to feed into subspecialization and academic neurology rather than general/community neurology practice.

Who it fits

An applicant who has already demonstrated commitment to a specific neurology subspecialty niche (through sub-I's, case reports, or mentorship) and is oriented toward eventual fellowship training and academic or quaternary-care practice, rather than someone seeking a general community neurology career.

Research intensity

Strong - research is well-resourced and structurally supported (mentored PGY3 projects, funded statistics, travel funds, protected time) and central for the dedicated Research Track, though not universally mandatory for all residents.

Career orientation

Fellowship - the program's outcomes and structure (subspecialty clinic rotations, elective time, near-universal fellowship matriculation) are built around subspecialization.

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