Tom Ford, MD, a previous UMass Chan Medical School student who participated in the neurology clerkship shares, “I came into my neurology clerkship here at UMass very excited about neurology, thanks to the incredible neuroanatomy course that Dr. Sue Gagliardi had put together, although I was nervous to apply these concepts in taking care of patients. I was grateful to learn that the faculty, especially Dr. Kate Daniello, and the residents with whom I worked, had a true passion for localization and neuroanatomy. The faculty worked through cases with me to connect the pieces of the neurodiagnostic puzzle in treating our patients. I came out of my clerkship with an even greater appreciation for neurology as a specialty, and the confidence I could see myself pursuing, and practicing, for what I hope amounts to a very long career.”   

Dr. Ford moved onto Boston University, to complete his neurology residency program, and fellowship in vascular neurology, before returning to UMass as an assistant professor of neurology, and a clerkship mentor. He shares, “Getting the opportunity to meet with students over the course of their clerkship and act as a sort of impartial guide through the various aspects of the course has been the most exciting aspect for me. I’ve worked with multiple students to this point who are very interested in neurology, such that I am able to provide some guidance on what sort of activities beyond the clerkship would be helpful in preparing for a successful residency application, as well as answer questions about parts of neurology that aren’t so clearly highlighted during a clinical clerkship such as, work-life balance, non-clinical work in the specialty, and opportunities for growth and development.   

The fact that, for the most part, we are not also working with our mentees clinically allows for a reasonably open line of communication as far as sharing questions and concerns about how things are going, which in turn helps to make things better for each sequential group of students and keep an open dialogue about how I can support my mentees. I am grateful the new curriculum has allowed for this program to exist, and I’m excited to see where it goes in the future!”