Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the University of Iowa Neurology Residency Program. If you are beginning to explore residency programs or envisioning where you hope to spend the next four years of your training, I invite you to explore our website and learn more about the people, opportunities, and community that make our program unique. As one of the nation's oldest neurology residency programs, our four-year categorical residency combines a rich tradition of excellence with an innovative, resident-centered approach to training. For generations, we have trained neurologists who have gone on to become exceptional clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders in the field.

As an international medical graduate from Syria, when I first arrived in Iowa City to start my own residency, I could not have imagined that one day I would have the privilege and honor of serving as Program Director. In many ways, I grew up in this program. It shaped me not only as a neurologist, but also as an educator, mentor, and physician. One of the most defining periods of my training came later in residency when the COVID-19 pandemic turned medicine, education, and daily life upside down. During a time filled with uncertainty, I witnessed firsthand how deeply our program leadership cared about residents. They worked tirelessly to keep us informed of the latest updates, prioritize our safety and well-being, and preserve the quality of our education. More importantly, they made us feel valued, and we were treated as individuals whose voices, goals, and growth mattered. That experience taught me what an exceptional residency program should be. It is not just about clinical volume, prestigious faculty, or innovative curricula. It is about investing in people.

Today, it is my privilege to carry forward those same values. Our mission is to provide every resident with a personalized training experience that supports their unique interests and career aspirations. Whether your goal is academic neurology, subspecialty training, clinician education, research, or community practice, we are committed to helping you build the skills and confidence to succeed.

As Iowa's only academic medical center and the region's largest tertiary referral hospital, we provide exposure to an extraordinary breadth of neurologic disease, from common conditions to the rarest and most complex cases. Training at both University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and the Iowa City VA Medical Center offers an ideal balance of comprehensive neurology, subspecialty expertise, and continuity of care. Residents can further tailor their experience through our clinician-educator and clinician-scientist pathways, community electives, and early exposure to neurology subspecialties as soon as their PGY1 and PGY2 years.

Beyond the hospital, Iowa City is an outstanding place to live.  Not only is Iowa City a UNESCO City of Literature, but it is also a ‘city of festivals’ including music, arts, and film. It is a vibrant, welcoming college town that consistently earns national recognition as one of the best places to live in the USA. National organizations including Forbes, Fortune, and Livability have highlighted Iowa City for its quality of life, affordability, limited commute, educational and rich cultural opportunities, and strong sense of community. Iowa City has something for everyone.

Residency is one of the most transformative chapters of your career. You will learn an incredible amount about neurology, medicine, and yourself. Along the way, you will build lifelong friendships, discover your professional identity, and develop the foundation for the physician you aspire to become.

We would be honored to be part of that journey. 

-Lama Abdel Wahed