MIDB is One of Four Sites for New Child Neurology Residency Program at the University of Minnesota

Child neurologists play a critical role in providing care for infants, children and adolescents who experience disorders with the nervous system, including migraines, headaches, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Unfortunately, a 2023 report forecasted the demand for child neurologists in the United States exceeds availability by 20%. The need disparity is greater for children and their families who  live in geographically-dispersed and non-urban areas.

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain will be part of the solution in preparing more child neurologists through the University of Minnesota Medical School’s recently-accredited Child Neurology Residency program, which will join its partner programs in pediatrics and adult neurology. Directed by Jessica Goldstein, MD, the five-year training occurs over four sites including the M Health Fairview Clinic at MIDB. The inaugural resident class will begin in July 2025.  

“The process for accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education represents years of work, initially halted by the pandemic, and re-initiated again in 2022. Re-opening the residency program completes the pipeline from medical school to practice for our state, with the opportunity to train the next generation of child neurologists for Minnesota and the larger region,” said Goldstein. “Built on the strong foundations of both the pediatrics and adult neurology residency programs and departments, the reintroduction of the child neurology residency represents a strong commitment from both departments to pediatric brain health and neurological care.”

In particular, Goldstein highlights the unique opportunity for resident training at the MIDB clinic where she and fellow child neurologist Michael Cole, MD, serve children and their families.    

“The M Health Fairview Clinic at MIDB is an innovative clinic that offers continuity of care for children and their families. The range of clinical services available at the MIDB clinic allow us to comprehensively address all of the neurological and psychological needs for our patients, in a multi-disciplinary manner in a space designed to be welcoming and comfortable for children and their families. Knowing that children are getting consistent high-quality care across multiple expert clinical groups without leaving the building is comforting for me and for the families,” said Goldstein. 

Michael Georgieff, MD, professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and developmental psychology and co-director of MIDB adds, “The MIDB mission is to emphasize pediatric brain health and to develop and practice therapies that bring benefit throughout the lifespan. Part of MIDB's commitment to the mission of improving mental health in our next generation of children is to train the next generation of health care providers to serve those children. Hosting the child neurology residents at MIDB is a perfect fit since the institute houses all of the subspecialties related to assessing and treating neurobehavioral conditions. We are excited to be a part of the new program."