The University of Nebraska Medical Center Adult Neurology Residency Program

Steven Phillips, DO

At UNMC, our primary goal is to train exceptional clinical neurologists with a robust foundation in education, research, and hospital operations. While residency is demanding, we cultivate a supportive, engaging, and inspiring environment. Our aim is to create a tight-knit neurology family at UNMC, where residents and faculty genuinely enjoy collaborating, learning, and working together. 

As the primary tertiary referral center for Nebraska and parts of Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri, our hospital offers exposure to a diverse patient population and a wide range of neurological conditions. We are confident that you will graduate from UNMC equipped with the skills to excel as a neurologist. Many of our residents pursue fellowship training, with recent graduates matching into programs in pain medicine, epilepsy, vascular neurology, neurocritical care, and endovascular neurology. Our department boasts 46 faculty members, including 36 clinical neurologists specializing in areas such as general neurology, headache, neurohospitalist care, cerebrovascular/stroke, neurocritical care, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, behavioral neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-immunology, and multiple sclerosis. Elective rotations are available in endovascular neurology, neuro-oncology, and sleep medicine for those interested. 

Numerous opportunities exist to collaborate with neuroscientists through labs such as the Mind and Brain Health (MBHL) Lab and the Dynamic Imaging of Cognition and Neuromodulation (DiCON) Lab. Residents can make meaningful contributions in basic and clinical research, quality improvement, medical student and resident teaching, curriculum development, community service, and leadership. Through UNMC’s HEAL track, we were the first institution to offer an optional program for residents to engage in graduate-level courses in education. 

The PGY-1 curriculum includes four months of neurology, with the final month dedicated to a neurology boot camp for all interns. This month features simulation-based training, buddy night calls with a senior resident, transitioning continuity clinics, and focused educational sessions. By the end of this month, you will be well-prepared to take call as a PGY-2 resident. The PGY-2 year consists of six months of inpatient neurology, three months of outpatient neurology, and three months of electives. During this year, you will take call, but our night float system ensures you always sleep in your own bed. We have also implemented a swing shift for senior residents to manage busy call hours from 3 PM to 11 PM, handling new consults and triaging pages as needed. The PGY-3 year begins with an eight-week Neuroanatomy Course, offering a deep dive into neuroanatomy and neuroradiology. This period fosters resident bonding and recharging, free from pages, night float, or patient care responsibilities. As a PGY-3, you will serve as a senior resident, assist with night float, and have three months of elective time, with ample opportunities for fellowship and job interviews. The PGY-4 year includes six months of elective time, allowing you to refine skills in areas of interest or address deficiencies. During this year, residents synthesize their knowledge, manage teams, and lead junior residents as a “pre-ttending,” preparing to act as an attending physician. 

We take great pride in our residents and the strong bonds they form during their training. We are equally proud of our exceptional educators at UNMC. We cherish the time spent with each resident and are confident that you will form lifelong friendships during your time here. We warmly invite you to join our UNMC Neurology Family! 

Steven Phillips, DO 

Assistant Professor, Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurological Sciences 
Program Director, Residency Program