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UTGSM Launches New Neurology Residency Program in 2025

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) is proud to announce the launch of its new Neurology Residency Program in 2025. Housed within the Department of Medicine, the largest department at UTGSM, this four-year categorical program is designed to train the next generation of general neurologists to serve patients with empathy, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to health equity.

Clinical training will take place primarily at the nationally ranked University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) and its affiliated clinics in Knoxville. Residents will gain experience in a variety of specialized clinics, including a state-of-the-art Memory Disorders Clinic, Movement Disorders Clinic, ALS Clinic, Neuromuscular/Neurophysiology Clinic, Transition of Care Clinic, Neuroimmunology/MS Clinic, Pediatric Neurology Clinic, and Epilepsy/EMU Clinics.

Each year, the program will welcome two residents into a close-knit learning environment that fosters individualized attention, mentorship, and academic growth. The integrated Internal Medicine internship year includes four months of inpatient neurology rotations and a dedicated resident outpatient clinic, giving trainees a strong foundation from day one. A comprehensive didactic curriculum, personalized learning time, and evening float call system further support the residents' development.

With access to robust basic science and growing clinical research opportunities, residents are paired with research mentors early in their training. The department’s expanding research portfolio - ranging from neurogenetics to imaging - offers fertile ground for scholarly activity.

"We are committed to train the next generation of neurologists," said Denia Ramirez-Montealegre, MD, MPH, PhD, Neurology Residency Program Director. "Our residents will be equipped with the skills necessary for high-quality diagnosis, treatment and with the ability to provide cost-efficient solutions that prioritize the well-being of patients and their families."

Dr. Ramirez-Montealegre brings to the program a global perspective and a rich background in medical education and research. A Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist, she trained in her native Costa Rica before completing her MPH in Public Health Informatics, PhD in Genetics, and Pediatric Neurology Residency at the University of Rochester. She later served on the faculty at the University of Virginia and joined UTMC in 2017.

The program's development is a testament to the continued growth of the Department of Medicine at UTGSM, which is home to 19 divisions and more than 180 faculty. The department is deeply invested in providing an exceptional educational experience while advancing the frontiers of medicine in East Tennessee and beyond.

Posted April 9, 2025