| Block | Wk | Dates | PGY1 | PGY2 |
|---|
| Date | Resident |
|---|
Develop teaching and leadership skills for senior neurology residents. You'll organize educational activities and conferences for learners at DSMC and may oversee a junior resident. Half the rotation includes direct patient care on the neurocritical care service.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFF | EDU Senior Exam Talk / EEG Rounds |
EDU Senior EEG Rounds |
EDU Senior Chief Rounds |
NCC | NCC | NCC |
Main responsibility is coordinating educational conferences for inpatient team learners. Anticipated end of day: 3:00 PM.
⚠️ If clinical demand makes chiefs rounds infeasible, coordinate with inpatient seniors and notify the scheduled attending before 8am Thursday.
Via Scheduling Book View
Check all clinical inboxes and follow up on results at least 1x/week. Urgent tasks are communicated by each clinic's MAs/RNs:
You must manually check on results for HTB patients.
Keep your clinic schedule handy so you can check availability on given days, write the patient in for that date/time, and list yourself as provider.
All safety labs must be ordered by the resident. Common infusions: Rituxan, Ocrevus, Truxima, IVIG, Tysabri, Uplizna.
Track your clinic dates (list or calendar) and check availability on those days.
⚠️ Discuss risks/benefits and obtain consent prior to any procedure/RN witnessing.
Supplies: 2× Botox vials, alcohol wipes, normal saline vial, blunt-tipped needle ×1, 5mL syringe ×1, 30G injecting needle ×4, 1mL syringe ×4
⚠️ Botox for dystonia may use different mixing ratios. Always complete the Botox charge sheet.
Procedure note template:
Botox #_ (date) — injections carried out as follows: Trapezius 30U, Corrugator 10U, Procerus 5U, Frontalis 20U, Temporalis 40U, Occipitalis 30U, Cervical Paraspinal 20U. Total 155U, Discarded 45U. Vial #(s) with expiration. Consent obtained; sites cleaned with alcohol; patient tolerated well, no complications, minimal bleeding.
Procedure note template: consent obtained; sites cleaned with alcohol; 2% xylocaine/Kenalog-40 mixture injected — Greater occipital L/R 1mL each, Lesser occipital L/R 1mL each. Total 4mL, discarded none. Patient tolerated well, no complications, minimal bleeding.
Didn't like how something was done? Something that could be better? Didn't know how to do something?
Guide created by Sonal Gagrani (former CNP Fellow and neuro resident)
4-week PGY3 rotation on electrodiagnostic studies and neuromuscular medicine. Combines practice-based learning, assigned readings, and self-assessments to build a foundation for board exams and ACGME milestones. Further elective time is available for residents with deeper interest.
The schedule below is a recommended template. Check all faculty schedules on Athena each night to confirm which clinic has EMG/neuromuscular patients scheduled for the next day — faculty may be on PTO or inpatient service.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Dr. Pokala · Dr. Shah | Dr. Austin (neuromuscular clinic) · Dr. Pokala |
| Tuesday | HTB EMG clinic · Dr. Collins @ Hays | Dr. Austin · Continuity clinic @ CUC or HTB EMG clinic |
| Wednesday | Continuity clinic @ HTB or Dr. Jefferson @ Hays · Dr. Pokala | Continuity clinic @ HTB or Dr. Jefferson @ Hays · Dr. Austin · Dr. Pokala |
| Thursday | Continuity clinic @ Jefferson or Dr. Austin (EMG/neuromuscular clinic) | Continuity clinic @ Jefferson or Dr. Austin (EMG/neuromuscular clinic) |
| Friday | Continuity clinic @ HTB or Dr. Pokala · Dr. Shah | Reading time or independent practice |
⚠️ Don't miss more than 2 half-days a week of continuity clinic. Notify the chiefs if this happens.
Neuromuscular disorders and electrodiagnostic studies are integrated into the daily noon lecture series throughout the year.
Spot a broken link? Have an idea to make the portal more useful? Let us know below — this opens a pre-filled email you can review and send.
We are pleased to announce our new Neurology Mentor Program led by Dr. Leorah Freeman. This program offers our residents the opportunity to schedule an individual appointment with a neurology mentor. This is a great opportunity to connect one-on-one for guidance, support, professional development, or to discuss your goals and questions.
Our mentors are Dr. Leorah Freeman, Dr. John Jefferson, Dr. Rachel Pearson, Dr. Jonathan Theo, Dr. Kass Reyes, and Dr. Joe Hidrogo. Before scheduling your meeting, please read the bios below to help you learn more about each mentor's background, experience, and areas of interest so you can choose the mentor who is the best fit for your individual needs, interests, and goals.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with a mentor and support your professional and personal development.
I'm Leorah Freeman, a neurologist and researcher at Dell Med. I spend my days running our MS and Neuroimmunology Center, seeing patients with MS, NMO, and other neuroinflammatory conditions, and leading a research group focused on clinical research and trials in MS. I also direct our MS and Neuroimmunology fellowship program, and helping early-career neurologists find their footing as specialists and clinical researchers is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Outside the clinic, I partner with organizations like the MS Association of America to close gaps in MS care and build programs for people living with neurological illness. Before the rest of my house wakes up, I write a Substack called The Neuroimmunologist (theneuroimmunologist.com), where I break down science for clinicians and patients. I'm also a mom of five kids, so I know a thing or two about juggling, improvising, and running on coffee.
Book with Dr. Freeman Available: Sept 18, Oct 19, Nov 13I am a general neurologist, who works both in the hospital and clinic, and does EMGs. I am primarily based out of Seton Hays. I am one of the neurology associate program directors. I have a passion for small and medium sized towns, and the people from them. I enjoy learning from the residents and the residency. I like seeing residents getting excited about the aspects of neurology and healthcare that they are excited about. I believe we are all here for a reason, and we are happiest when we are pursuing that reason. I believe that the definition of success is different for everyone. I hope to help residents get excited about who they are, and who they are here to help. I was raised in Austin and Round Rock, did undergrad at A&M, medical school at UT Houston, residency at UW in Seattle, and pursued a neurophysiology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai/UCLA. I love hanging out with my wife and kids, appreciating nature, cheering on my favorite sports teams, and drinking coffee. My two favorite places are Texas and Washington state.
Book with Dr. Jefferson Available: Sept 24Rachel Pearson grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Dell Seton Neurology Residency. She attended her stroke fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. She has worked as a neuro-hospitalist practicing general and stroke neurology. She enjoys traveling, attending baseball games at all of the MLB stadiums, and visiting her golden retriever niece.
Mentoring interests:
I'm a general neurologist primarily based out of Seton Hays. I work both in the hospital and outpatient neurology clinic, and I also perform EMGs. I am a recent graduate of this program; I finished my neurology residency at Dell Med in 2025, as well as my Neurophysiology fellowship again at Dell Med this year. I'm originally from Beaumont, TX. I did my undergrad in Dallas and med school in Fort Worth. I'm happy to talk about recent attending-hood and job hunting, as I just finished up with this process! Outside of work, I enjoy live music, art house movies, and knitting.
Book with Dr. Reyes Available: Sep 24, Oct 8, Nov 3I'm Jonathan Theo, a movement disorders specialist based out of Seton Hays. I grew up in Los Angeles and did my residency here at Dell Seton and my fellowship training at UT Houston. My wife and I love food and travel and we're always planning our next adventure! I'm happy to share my two cents whether it be about life, job applications, movement disorders, or anything else. I'm always glad to help however I can.
Book with Dr. Theo Available: Sept 29, Dec 17Bio and booking link coming soon.
Neurocritical care covers comprehensive management of the critically ill neurological/neurosurgical patient — high-acuity, sometimes rapidly evolving. Common admitting diagnoses: acute ischemic stroke, acute hemorrhagic stroke (SAH, ICH), status epilepticus, acute neuromuscular emergencies, severe meningoencephalitis, brain masses, acute encephalopathy. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and communication are essential — stay engaged in discussion of every patient on rounds.
NCC attending, senior resident, junior resident, APP — occasionally joined by a neurosurgery intern, child neurology resident, or medical students. Dedicated NCC nurses should be present for rounds on their patient. Multidisciplinary collaboration includes a dedicated clinical pharmacist, social work/case management, PT/OT, nutrition, respiratory therapy, and palliative care.
All rotating learners are encouraged to participate in NCC procedures — part of the department's educational mission.
Discuss attendance, messaging, and approach with the NCC attending in advance. Attend meetings for your assigned patients; participation level tailored to your experience.
During dayshift, notify the NCC attending of: new consults, potential admissions, acute clinical/exam changes, new severe vital sign changes, unexpected developments (e.g. illness refractory to treatment), consulting service updates, and any patient/family complaints. Include the APP freely — especially for general critical care issues. Discuss all potential consults with the attending before finalizing recommendations.
Bedside nursing reviews all in-dwelling devices (ventriculostomies, NG/OG/PEG, ETT, central/PICC lines, peripheral/MIDD lines, Foley/suprapubic catheters) with placement dates and removal candidacy. Establish removal timelines and voiding trial plans with nursing as appropriate.
Before moving on, check for additional questions/concerns from the team (Pharmacy, RT, PT/OT). The order-entry team member reads back the full order list as a final checkpoint.
Follow the systems order above both when presenting on rounds and when writing your note. Complete notes in a timely manner.
PGY2 residents complete a 4-week rotation in the pediatric EMU; PGY3 residents complete a 4-week rotation with adult epileptologists covering epilepsy and EEG. Combines practice-based learning with assigned readings/modules aligned to the ABPN certification exam blueprint and ACGME milestones. Further elective time available for residents with deeper interest.
All residents need access to Neuro Workbench (adult EEG) and Natus (pediatric EEG) before the rotation starts — accessible via citrix.seton.org with your normal Compass login. If you lack access, contact Dolly Martin at DCMC at least one week prior to your rotation start.
| Timing | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Prior to Rotation | Review Jeremy Moeller EEG Basics videos (1–7) |
| First Day | Pick up reading materials from Dell Children's |
| Week 1: Seizure Semiology | Rowan's Primer of EEG — The Normal Adult EEG; Moeller videos (8–16) |
| Week 2: Epilepsy Syndromes | Reading/article/video on pediatric epilepsy syndromes; Rowan's Primer — The EEG and Epilepsy |
| Week 3: Anticonvulsants | Reading on anticonvulsant MOA/side effects; Rowan's Primer — The Abnormal EEG; The New Anti-Epileptic Drugs |
| Week 4: Putting It Together | Reading/article/video; Rowan's Primer — The EEG in Other Neurologic/Medical Conditions |
| Last Day | Return reading materials to DCMC |
| Timing | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Prior to Rotation | Review Jeremy Moeller EEG Basics videos (1–7) |
| First Day | Pick up reading materials from DSMC |
| Week 1: Normal EEG | Read routine EEGs; Moeller videos (8–16); AES Modules (Artifacts, Normal adult EEG) or Practical Approach to EEG Ch. 4 (Localization) |
| Week 2: Abnormal EEG | Read routine + 4-hr EEGs if comfortable; AES Modules (Abnormal non-epileptiform, Abnormal epileptiform) or Practical Approach to EEG Ch. 6 (Artifacts), Ch. 9 (Abnormal EEG) |
| Week 3: Abnormal EEG | Read routine + 4-hr EEGs; AES Modules (Syndromic approach, Critical care EEG) or Practical Approach to EEG Ch. 10 (EEG in Epilepsy) |
| Week 4: Seizures & Status | Read routine + 4-hr EEGs; Practical Approach to EEG Ch. 11 (Normal Variants), Ch. 12 (EEG in Stupor/Coma) |
| Last Day | Return reading materials to DSMC |
Epilepsy and EEG didactics are integrated into the PGY-2 bootcamp and the daily noon lecture series throughout the year.
Courtesy is to return pages within 15–20 minutes (can wait only if not STAT). It's okay to step aside during rounds to address these. If you get a consult during rounds, let your Senior know.
Try to get all orders in before lunch — sooner is better.
⚠️ Keep yourself organized and write things down — find a system that works for you.
Consults run 7 AM to end of your call (long call vs. short call):
M–F 12–1 PM. Rounds need to finish shortly before so everyone can grab lunch — the Senior is responsible for ending rounds on time.
You'll meet with Dr. Meltzer about halfway through the year — don't stress about it earlier, but keep brainstorming ideas as you go.
Sometimes in person, more often during didactics. Read the article beforehand for a good discussion.
Ascension Seton Specialty Clinic (Resident Clinic): Health Transformation Building, 1601 Trinity Street #804, Austin, TX 78701 · Phone: 512-324-7865
Check Lightning Bolt to see which attending(s) are staffing clinic (AM and PM).
Referring hospital patients to your clinic or a specific attending — typically unfunded or MAP patients (insured patients can go to Jefferson Clinic on 38th).
Email sic@ascension.org with "-PHI-" in the subject, including: Patient Name, MRN, DOB, Diagnosis, Timeframe (1–2 weeks, 1 month, ASAP, etc.), Resident.
Ask the patient where they live and their insurance to help coordinate the best follow-up clinic:
Ask your senior if you're unsure where to send the patient.
Please don't hesitate to reach out anytime you have questions, concerns, or just need someone to talk to.
Only for patients with NO insurance, HMO, MAP, or Medicaid
PPO insurance only
With Drs. Krause and Theo — 4-week rotation (resident can choose how many weeks to work with each attending)
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