Welcome from the Chair - Robert G. Holloway, M.D., M.P.H.

Welcome to the Department of Neurology
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry

Welcome to the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry! Rochester Neurology has a long-standing tradition as one of the premier neurology training programs in the world. Established by Dr. Robert Joynt in 1966 on the conviction that excellent science and genuine humanity belong together, our training programs have always been the heart and soul of the department.

I know this first-hand—I was a neurology resident here from 1990 to 1993, and those years remain among the most meaningful and enjoyable of my professional life. The reasons for that success continue to thrive today, and our adult residency program will expand in size by 2027.

Outstanding Leadership

Our faculty are deeply committed to teaching and education. This commitment begins with our exceptional educational leadership team—Dr. Colleen Tomcik, Program Director, Adult Neurology Residency; Dr. Rob Stone, Program Director, Child Neurology Residency; Dr. Lauryn Heminninger, MD, Neurology Clerkship Director; Dr. Chris Tarolli, MD, Associate Chair, Education—who have built innovative and highly effective educational offerings across all levels of neurologic training.

Dr. Ralph Jozefowicz, a visionary educator who helped elevate our programs to national prominence, continues to be an active and inspiring mentor to students, residents, and faculty. The passion and skill our faculty bring to teaching neurology is truly unparalleled—and their enthusiasm is infectious. You must experience it to believe it—our residents alone earn over 20% of all teaching awards given by medical students each year.

Curricular Innovation

Our teaching philosophy is forward-thinking and learner centered. At the undergraduate level, our Mind, Brain, and Behavior course has been the highest-rated basic science course in our medical school for more than a decade.

At the residency level, we’ve implemented a dedicated half-day block teaching model, ensuring that all residents have protected time every Wednesday afternoon for in-depth, active learning together. For residents drawn to teaching themselves, our growing Educator Track prepares the next generation of academic neurologists.

Mentors in all Fields, for all Careers 

With over 120 faculty across 13 divisions, we offer 16 fellowship programs, including 7 ACGME- and 4 UCNS-accredited subspecialties, and a prestigious NINDS-funded T32 Training Program in Experimental Neurotherapeutics. Whether your goal is to become a master clinician, an inspiring teacher, or an innovative physician-scientist, we provide the resources, mentorship, and environment to support your personalized professional growth.

Mentorship is not just a value here—it is a cornerstone of our departmental culture.

A Global Community

We are deeply committed to fostering a welcoming, safe, and collegial environment for everyone, and to a global view of neurology. For three decades, our residents and students have trained alongside colleagues in Poland, Spain, Peru, and across Africa — with chief residents even serving as teaching attendings during our month-long exchange in Krakow.

In April 2024, we proudly launched the Unity Gallery in the Joynt Corridor, using art to celebrate the many voices, faces, and perspectives that shape our department and the broader URMC community.

Welcome again to our Department. We have much to accomplish as we work to harmonize and reimagine clinical care, research, and education in service of our patients and their families. There has never been a more exciting time in neurology, and we hope you’ll consider joining us on this transformative journey.

To learn more about our clinical and research programs, please visit the Department of Neurology website.

Meliora,
(Ever Better)

Robert G. Holloway, MD, MPH