1. To train pediatricians through the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program at OHSU who desire to become leaders in the care of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, attention deficit disorders and other neurobehavioral disorders, and other chronic neurological conditions at the local, regional, and national level by providing them the tools needed to develop their skills in academics, research, education, innovation, and quality improvement and patient safety.
2. To train NDD residents through an interdisciplinary educational model established within OHSU’s Institute on Development and Disability (IDD) and the Department of Pediatrics in conjunction with the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), a national network of pediatric disability care organizations.
3. To provide residency training in the context of a truly interdisciplinary approach. The NDD resident will acquire expertise in the diagnosis and management of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities through individualized training and supervision from NDD and Child Neurology faculty in addition to faculty from other disciplines, including psychology, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, special education, audiology, and psychiatry.
4. To train NDD residents in the diagnosis and management of the spectrum of neurodevelopmental disabilities and related neurological and neurobehavioral conditions in a program fully integrated with Child Neurology and Adult Neurology where the fellow will acquire knowledge and skills in management of child neurological disorders, genetic and neurometabolic disorders, and psychiatric disorders.
5. To train residents in the scientific method and to encourage them to develop a particular area of research interest during the course of training by taking advantage of the multiple research opportunities across the institution and its affiliates. At the conclusion of their training, residents will be well positioned to make significant long-term research contributions in the field of NDD.
6. To provide a well-rounded training experience while nurturing personal well-being, building resources and skills in the training program to promote a positive work-life balance and prevent burnout, and providing institutional resources to develop skills needed to develop a well-balanced career.

Please see the Department of Pediatrics fellowship page for departmental benefits available to all pediatric fellows, and the OHSU GME page for Employment and Benefits information, including salary, transportation, and insurance.

Clinical training

The Institute of Development and Disability (IDD) is a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), a national network of pediatric disability care organizations. The training programs within the IDD include faculty and graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines. The programs incorporate a truly interdisciplinary approach, and the NDD resident will acquire expertise in interdisciplinary diagnosis and care. The NDD resident will become skilled in developmental assessment, medical diagnosis, and management of children with disabilities. Interviewing, family observation, and the appropriate use of behavioral strategies are also taught. The trainee will participate in many settings, both medical center based and community based, and will receive training and supervision from faculty in other disciplines, including psychology, social work, psychiatry, special education, and all the therapy disciplines. The NDD resident will routinely interact with trainees from all the other disciplines in the UCEDD training programs. 

Goal areas for trainees from all disciplines:

• Development of skills in interviewing and communication
• Development of knowledge and understanding of child development and skill in its assessment
• Development of knowledge and understanding about those pathological processes which interrupt or alter neurodevelopment
• Development of knowledge and skills in patient management and treatment strategies
• Development of an understanding of interdisciplinary theory and practice, knowledge about other professional disciplines, and increased skill in working with them
• Growth in understanding of administrative functions and participation in the development of public health policy
• Development of an understanding of developmental disabilities in the community: epidemiology, prevention, community agencies, and resources
• Development of clinical research skills and the ability to critically review the research of others
• Growth in leadership skills

In addition to the above goals, there are several areas in which the NDD trainee will have the opportunity to acquire particular knowledge and skill: 

• Knowledge and skill in the medical diagnosis and management of the spectrum of neurodevelopmental disabilities, related neurological conditions, and neurobehavioral disorders
• Knowledge and skill in adult and child neurology
• Knowledge and skill in clinical genetics, genetics interviewing, and genetics counseling
• Knowledge and skill in neurometabolic disorders
• Knowledge and skill in behavioral pediatrics, child psychiatry and psychopharmacology

Clinical resources

The clinical setting of the IDD is the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC), which comprises a comprehensive array of child development clinics plus the rich offerings of the Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (OCCYSHN) clinics, conducted jointly in the CDRC. The clinical programs include the following: 

• Child development (behavior and learning) clinics
• Neurodevelopmental (cerebral palsy and feeding) clinics
• Child neurology clinics
• Autism clinic
• NICU follow-up clinic
• Genetics clinic
• Metabolic disease clinic
• Hemophilia clinic
• Spina bifida clinic
• Craniofacial disorders clinic
• Down syndrome clinic
• Rett syndrome clinic

Additional clinical programs on and off the OHSU campus include the adult neurology programs, Shriners Hospital clinics, physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics, psychiatry and behavioral pediatrics clinics, Eugene CDRC clinics, OCCYSHN community developmental clinics, and many others. 

In the clinical arena, the trainee is given responsibility commensurate with his or her experience. Extensive observation facilities encourage unobtrusive faculty-trainee supervision and feedback as well as the appreciation for the techniques of other disciplines. Participation in community programs is considered to be a vital component, where trainees have the opportunity for further clinical experience in the context of various communities that have differing populations and different resources. Parent education programs accompany many of these programs. Individual, mentored research activity is an essential element of each NDD resident's training experience.

Didactics

Interdisciplinary seminars and conferences provide a forum for didactic instruction and discussion. The Neuroscience Seminar is the central classroom session for NDD and Child Neurology residents and is jointly organized by Child Neurology, Neuroradiology, and Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics. Neuroscience Seminar includes journal club, morbidity and mortality conference, research updates, and overview lectures on high-yield clinical topics. Trainees are invited to attend the journal clubs conducted by other disciplines. In addition, the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities trainee is encouraged to attend appropriate conferences from the wide variety offered by the OHSU Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology. At the start of the PGY-3 academic year, NDD trainees participate in Neurology Boot Camp with the adult neurology residents, when offered.

Tuesday:

• Neuroscience Seminar

Wednesday:

• Adult Neurology Grand Rounds
• Pediatric Neuroradiology Conference (2nd and 4th Wednesdays)
• Fenichel Rounds

Thursday:

• Pediatrics Grand Rounds
• Adult Neurology Weekly Resident Didactics
• LEND Seminar

Friday:

• Pediatric Chair’s Friday Forum

Scholarship and mentorship

During the first year of the program, the resident is assigned a mentor with experience in the resident’s area of clinical or research interest. NDD residents have dedicated blocks and rotations set aside for research and scholarship activities. While publication or grants are not requirements for graduation from the program, all residents are encouraged to submit their research activities for publication or presentation at local and national meetings. Departmental funding is available to facilitate residents’ travel for presentation of their work at a national conference or meeting.

Teaching opportunities

NDD residents have numerous teaching opportunities in the department and in the School of Medicine. In addition to bedside clinical teaching of medical students, residents, trainees, and professionals in allied health professions, residents also participate in formal didactic teaching experiences. Previous residents have led longitudinal clinical skills groups of medical students in their pre-clinical years, as well as formal lectures in the School of Medicine curriculum. Residents participate in presenting Neuroscience Seminar topics, and the weekly resident-led Fenichel Rounds provides ample opportunity for tailored review of topics in neurology and neurodevelopment.

Our Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Pediatric Neurology Residency Programs are educationally and clinically intertwined. As such, our excellent faculty are instrumental to the educational quality of both programs.

Upcoming residents

Shaily Patel, D.O. (Starting July 2025)
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Danna Garcia-Guaqueta, M.D. (Starting July 2026)
Pediatric Neurology

Emily Garavatti, M.D.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2024
Current Position: Researcher in Neonatal Neurology and Neurodevelopment, External collaborator at OHSU
Why I choose OHSU: The opportunity to train in various interdisciplinary clinics, such as LEND clinic, within our Child Development and Rehabilitation Center was a big motivator as I find this model to be beneficial for me as a trainee and provides superior patient care. I also was drawn to the abundance of outdoor adventure possibilities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Dhana Angappan, M.D.
Pediatric Neurology, 2024
Current Position: Provider at Pheonix Children’s Hospital in Pheonix, AZ
Why you chose OHSU: I had a great interview day at OHSU and liked the faculty group here with expertise in various sub-specialties. I realized this was a very resident friendly program and loved the work culture here. Not to mention the beauty of Portland and Oregon which can draw anybody to this place. It’s one of the best places to live in, with a number of waterfalls, parks, and restaurants around to explore. The coast and the beach towns are the other places that can get everyone’s attention. Overall, a great program and wonderful place to be in.

Mac Garrett, M.D.
Pediatric Neurology, 2024 
Current Position: Fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology at Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL.
Why I chose OHSU: Faculty with a wide range of experience and expertise. I had a great interview day. The culture here is casual and we get to know our attendings and the subspecialists. Portland! I wanted to be in a place with vibrant and active LGBT culture.

Max Perelman, M.D.
Child Neurology, 2022
Current position: Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University  
Why I chose OHSU: Portland is just as fun as everyone says it is, and only half as rainy. As far as OHSU itself, I can't say enough good things about the people who work (and teach, and go to school) here. Whether on the pediatric or adult side, people are friendly, approachable, and interested in teaching. I would choose it again in a heartbeat. 

Mandie Wiebers Jensen, M.D., OT
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2020 
Current position: Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University  

Sophia French, M.D.
Child Neurology, 2020 
Current position: Provider at Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL  
Why I chose OHSU: I ranked OHSU highly because it is a collaborative and nurturing center of excellence in a beautiful location. During my 2 years of pediatric training I formed lasting friendships with my co-residents while building a solid foundation of general pediatric knowledge. The 12 months of adult neurology training is integrated over 3 years and offer an excellent breadth of training in areas ranging from neuromuscular disease to neuro-ophthalmology. The pediatric neurology faculty was passionate in their teaching and were all incredibly invested in me. They allow progressively greater levels of autonomy and by the end of training I feel confident in my ability to practice independently. 

Daniel Crowder, M.D.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2019 
Current position: Program Director, NDD Residency Program; Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University,

Ittai Bushlin, M.D., Ph.D.
Child Neurology, 2018 
Current position: Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University  
Why I Chose OHSU: I immediately fell in love with OHSU the first time I visited, and am grateful for the high quality and hands-on training that I received here. Portland is a beautiful and vibrant city, and OHSU is the academic hospital for the state of Oregon, which means there are a large variety of cases here, from the bread and butter to the highly unusual. Staff, residents, and faculty at Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital have created a tight knit, close, supportive community that works together day and night to take care of kids. There are so many opportunities to pursue your niche interests, clinically or research-wise or both, and the residency program emphasizes your individual needs. By the end of my training I felt more than fully prepared to be a pediatric neurology attending. 

Alison Christy, M.D., Ph.D.
Child Neurology, 2017  
Current position: Clinical Director of Pediatric Neurology, Providence Health and Services, Portland, OR  
Why I Chose OHSU: I chose OHSU primarily for the location in Portland, Oregon – but I was really glad I did, because I found a small program that gave me a lot of personal attention, supportive faculty, and an excellent exposure to a wide variety of patients and diagnoses. 

Melissa Svoboda, M.D.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2014 
Current position: Director, Autism Clinic; Chief of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine/The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio  
Why I chose OHSU: My training in the NDD program at OHSU was top notch! I am a very well-rounded clinician and have a strong foundation for clinical child neurology – more so than many of my friends who trained at other programs when we started out. I feel this is due to the amount of clinic exposure we are given during training and the excellent attendings who staff those clinics. I also received good research exposure and now have my own research grants because of the training I received there. The teachers at OHSU were not just limited to attendings – I learned as much from the excellent ancillary services such as the experienced speech therapists, physical therapists, etc. If it weren’t for my family being in a different place, I’d be back there now as an attending. It was a wonderful, rich, diverse place to train.  

Jason Coryell, M.D.
Child Neurology, 2011  
Current position: Associate Professor, Oregon Health & Sciences University  
Why I Chose OHSU: I chose OHSU because it is the most collegial place that I have worked/trained. There has never been bad blood between any of the divisions or faculty, and it makes a difference in the quality of the workday to really like the people with whom you surround yourself. And, oh yeah, Portland: great restaurants, close to coast, most affordable West coast metropolitan area, skiing, mountain biking, wineries, and evergreens!! 

Michael Kruer, M.D.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2011  
Current position: Director, Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Associate Professor, Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Why I chose OHSU: I chose OHSU because of the fantastic faculty and the well-balanced interdisciplinary training I received in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. NDD training at OHSU was instrumental in providing me with the skills I needed to become a successful physician-scientist   

Kit Yeng Lim, M.D.
Child Neurology, 2010  
Current position: Providence Pediatric Neurology – St. Vincent, Portland, OR  

Amy D. Harper, M.D.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2006 
Current position: Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University 
Why I Chose OHSU: OHSU offers broad array of multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental clinics providing learners with an in depth teaching experience from many perspectives.

How to apply

Welcome to the 2024-2025 recruitment cycle. Thank you so much for your interest in our program. The Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Training Program accepts applications through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) for selecting our incoming residents each year. For the current application cycle, we ask that all items in the checklist below be submitted through ERAS:

• Personal Statement: Please discuss why you have chosen Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and, specifically, why OHSU might be a good fit for you and your career goals. This can be included as a brief addendum to the end of your personal statement.
• A minimum of three Letters of Recommendation (we do not require a letter from the Chair of the department)
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) from medical school
• USMLE and/or COMLEX completion (our program requires at least Step 1/Level 1 of USMLE/COMLEX exam to apply; Step 2/Level 2 completion must be uploaded by January 31*)

Please also see the OHSU GME information on Applying to OHSU Residencies and Fellowships.

International graduates

For graduates of a foreign medical school, at least one year of clinical training in the US or Canada must have been completed in order to apply (observerships/externships will not be considered). 

Applicants must provide a copy of a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), participate in the National Residency Match Program, and apply through ERAS. Our program supports H1B and J1 visas.

Invitation to Interview

Applicants are invited for an interview based on holistic review of their application and will be notified of their invite via email. We will use the Thalamus scheduling system to set up our interviews. All interviews will be conducted virtually through OHSU Webex. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to interview all applicants. 

Oregon Health and Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity organization that does not discriminate against applicants based on any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Office of Civil Rights Investigations and Compliance at 503-494-5148 or ocic@ohsu.edu.
 

Interview Day

All interviews will be conducted virtually to allow equitable access for all applicants. Interview dates will range from November 2024 through January 2025. The virtual interview day will be approximately four hours in length with opportunities to meet our faculty and fellows as well as a chance to participate in one of our weekly educational experiences.

Rank order lists will be submitted by March 5, 2025, through the NRMP Main Residency Match. Match Day will follow on March 21, 2025.

After your interview

We hope that you find your virtual interview day with us to be informative and enjoyable! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any follow-up questions.

• Program Coordinator: Melissa Gittings
• Program Director: Daniel Crowder