University of Virginia Health System

   Hi there and thank you for considering the University of Virginia for your Pediatric Neurology training. I find it difficult commenting with brevity on my appreciation for both the Pediatric program and the Pediatric Neurology program, as well as the surrounding community as a whole as my time here has been such a wonderful experience for many reasons.
   I start with Charlottesville as a whole. This is a town that certainly embraces a small-town feel. There are Saturday morning fruit and vegetable markets, evening walks along the downtown mall, great, eclectic food opportunities, outdoor music concerts, and strollers full of kids everywhere. Charlottesville truly expresses a perfect degree of southern charm. And yet, the town allows for easy access to more metropolitan cities such as Richmond, Va, Washington, DC, and even Charlotte, NC and the opportunities they provide. Then there is the University.
   The University of Virginia is obviously the major force in Charlottesville. However, the University creates a wonderful college-town feel to it. Having the university near-by creates an environment full of youth, vitality, energy, and opportunity. Music, theatre, and history abound here and I feel lucky to have had the chance to part-take in these. Plus there are obviously an infinite number of sporting events to attend through the university.
   What about the weather in Charlottesville? Here you will enjoy a full 4 seasons and the various opportunities that come with each. I have enjoyed skiing in Wintergreen during the winter, hiking the seemingly infinite number of trails in the spring, swimming in surrounding swimming holes during the summer, and camping during the fall and all of that during residency. The closeness of these opportunities makes Charlottesville a unique place.
   Finally, and most importantly, what about the Pediatric Neurology program? In short the program is a 5 year program with 2 years in pediatrics(with the option of 3 years) and 3 years in pediatric neurology. Both programs offer a tremendous amount of experience, allow for a wonder degree of diversity, and provide a significant blend of attending physicians and their approach to patient care and management. These qualities ensure an important breadth of education. I can attest that both programs and their attending physicians are dedicated to patient training and education and yet are supportive and respectful of resident quality of life.
   Once again, thank you for your interest in the Pediatric Neurology program here at the University of Virginia. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions.

— Russ Bailey

   As a high school student, I imagined that Charlottesville and Jefferson’s campus would be a great place to live and learn. I was right. Charlottesville is a scenic and scholarly community. The social offerings of this small city rival those of much larger cities. I enjoy music and there are multiple music venues that attract major bands. There is also free music on the downtown mall every Friday throughout the summer in a community event called ‘Fridays After Five.’ Furthermore, my wife and I have found Charlottesville to be an excellent place to raise our children. We have had both of our children, Bella and Samantha, during my time as a resident at UVA. There are numerous churches and opportunities for children.
   The most important part of choosing my residency were those factors affecting my family. I chose to be part of the combined five-year program in child neurology at UVA so that my family and I would not have to relocate after finishing my pediatrics residency. The residency directors in pediatrics and neurology, Linda Waggoner-Fountain and Ted Burns respectively, have families of their own and are very supportive of residents who choose to have children during residency. The salary for residents is highly competitive and the medical insurance for residents is excellent – health insurance is included as part of your benefits package! Your family is included in the plan at no extra cost. The competitive salary and the fact that medical insurance is included has allowed my wife to stay home with our children. Charlottesville is also one of the few places in the country with training in child neurology where commuting is not a major part of your day. My total commute time to and from work is 20 to 25 minutes. Some residents live even closer to the hospital. Charlottesville is also an extremely safe community.
   The pediatric residency training is excellent and I have left pediatrics feeling very comfortable in my ability to care for children. Dr. Rob Rust is the director of the child neurology residency program. He is one of the most well known and accomplished child neurologists in the world. He is an excellent teacher and mentor – he is reason enough to pursue your neurology training at UVA. I have had very close contact with Dr. Rust and the other child neurologists throughout my training. I also had the unique opportunity to begin my child neurology continuity clinic in my second year of my pediatrics training.
   I would be thrilled to speak with any child neurology candidate who may have questions about our program (jm4ej@virginia.edu).

— John Mytinger