Program Details

The new ACGME-accredited Adult Neurology Residency Program at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) will begin accepting applications in fall 2025 for its inaugural class to start in July 2026. The HUMC Adult Neurology Residency Program aims to train the next generation of neurologists as strong clinicians, compassionate providers, thoughtful learners, community advocates, and skilled researchers.

Based in Hackensack, New Jersey, HUMC is a member and the flagship hospital of the Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) Network. HUMC’s faculty includes 40 neurologists and 6 pediatric neurologists. Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at HUMC is composed of a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, researchers, neuropsychologists, health psychologists, social workers, geriatricians.

Our neurologists represent a broad array of subspecialization, including stroke, movement disorders, neuro-ophthalmology, sleep disorders, neuromuscular conditions, neurogenetics, neuro-immunology, headache, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, neuro-oncology, pain management, and others.

Hackensack University Medical Center is the first hospital in New Jersey’s history to be ranked among the Top 20 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report 2025-2026 (USNWR). It’s also the #1 hospital in the NY-NJ Metro Area, and the #1 hospital in New Jersey. HUMC has the only nationally recognized Neurology & Neurosurgery program in New Jersey, is among the top 35 programs in the nation, and ranked as one of the Top 10 Neurology & Neurosurgery programs in the NY-NJ Metro Area, according to USNWR. HUMC is a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, certified by the Joint Commission and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and is a Center of Excellence for many neurological subspecialties.

Curriculum

The four-year, ACGME-accredited Adult Neurology Residency Program at Hackensack University Medical Center offers three categorical positions per year, with a PGY-1 year in fundamental clinical skills mainly with Internal Medicine, followed by three years of neurology training. Our goals are rigorous clinical education, strong mentorship, and resident well-being.

Scheduling model

We organize rotations in one-week blocks (grouped into 4-week rotations) to improve service balance, didactic continuity, and elective access.

PGY-1

• 6 months of internal medicine: The rotations will be assigned by the internal medicine department and include direct patient care responsibilities.
• One month of ICU and one month of ER
• 4 months of Neurology: PGY-1s participate in targeted neurology experiences (e.g., vascular neurology, general neurology, neuro-radiology, EMG/EEG and outpatient clinics

PGY-2 to PGY-4 (Core Neurology)

• Inpatient: general neurology, vascular neurology, pediatric neurology consults, and the neuro-ICU.
• Outpatient: residents complete at least six months of ambulatory adult neurology, including a longitudinal continuity clinic.
• Procedures & labs: graded exposure to EMG/NCS, EEG, and chemodenervation (botulinum toxin) with progressive responsibility.

June Neurology Foundations (“Boot Camp”) for Incoming PGY-1

In late June, all incoming PGY-1s complete a Neurology Foundations Boot Camp to become confident and ready for PGY-2 call responsibilities. Content includes:

• Acute neurologic emergencies (stroke codes, status epilepticus, meningitis/encephalitis)
• Focused neuro exam & localization, ward workflows, handoffs, and pages
• Basics of EEG/EMG, lumbar puncture techniques, and neuro-imaging triage
• Simulation, night-float preparation, and EHR order sets

Coaching, feedback, and wellness

• Each resident is assigned a faculty Coach from PGY-1, with quarterly meetings for career planning, progress reviews, and well-being check-ins.
• Frequent, structured feedback (including weekly on busy inpatient blocks) and 360° evaluations support growth and professionalism.
• We prioritize workload balance, protected didactics, and access to counseling and mentorship resources.

Conferences

Several conferences take place throughout the week. These include general neurology and subspecialty case conferences, and resident didactic sessions. Resident didactics will be presented by HUMC Neurology faculty. A boot camp will be provided for rising PGY-2 residents prior to their first neurology rotations. Residents will also participate in journal clubs and board review sessions, and monthly Neurology Grand Rounds featuring national speakers.

Residents are encouraged to present at local and national conferences. Residents will be supported to attend one national conference during their training.

Living in New Jersey

The population served by HUMC in Northern New Jersey, a suburb of New York City, is highly diverse in socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures.

Living in Northern New Jersey offers a vibrant culture with an exciting array of urban life and natural parks and attractions. Northern Jersey is convenient to both New York City and the beaches and boardwalks in Central and South Jersey. The region's diverse communities are mirrored in its exceptional food scene, where you can savor everything from world-famous pizza, classic delis, and bagels to a wide array of Ethiopian, Mediterranean, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Cuban, Middle Eastern, Korean, Chinese and every kind of fusion cuisines. Sports fans can cheer on the Giants or Jets at MetLife Stadium, while outdoor enthusiasts have access to numerous parks, nature trails, fishing, and scenic spots ideal for running, hiking, biking and skiing. The area’s strategic location, with easily accessible airports and convenient public transport, further enhances its appeal, making North Jersey a dynamic, well-connected, and highly desirable place to call home.