Loyola University Medical Center Program

Program Identity & Fit

Loyola's Neurology program is a university-affiliated academic residency built on two adjoining campuses—Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA—giving residents a fixed, non-satellite training footprint spanning tertiary academic and veteran patient populations. The four-year categorical structure (one preliminary medicine year plus a distinctive "4+2" scheduling system) emphasizes graduated autonomy, continuity clinic embedded within the cyclic schedule, and a chairperson (Dr. José Biller) who is personally and weekly involved in resident didactics. Scholarly activity is built into training via the required Brumlik Resident Research Symposium (quality improvement projects aimed at publication and national presentation) rather than through a heavy basic-science or NIH-funded infrastructure, and fellowship placement is a consistent, visible outcome, with graduates matching into vascular neurology, neurophysiology, neurocritical care, movement disorders, and headache fellowships at strong academic centers (many staying at Loyola or matriculating to Rush, University of Chicago, Northwestern). The program values residents who can function with increasing independence across a busy two-hospital system, engage in structured procedural and simulation training (stroke code, lumbar puncture, brain death discussions), and pursue subspecialty fellowship training as the default career path.