Neurology

A group of residents stand together in a hospital, smiling at the camera

Grand Rapids Neurology Program at Hauenstein Neurosciences

Mission Statement

To educate the next generation of neurologists through a tradition of passionate clinical teaching. We will do this by providing exposure to a diverse patient population in an environment of patient-centered care taught by dedicated faculty and staff, using an interdisciplinary approach, with a broad subspecialty base and a foundation for neurological disease processes. We will provide a comprehensive and collaborative environment of mutual enrichment for residents and mentors to foster a culture of lifelong learning.

Our commitment is to serve the community today and in the future, and to inspire our graduates to bring excellence in neurological care, stewardship, humanism and healing to the communities they will serve.

Our Program AIMs

To prepare our residents to be exceptional clinical general neurologists by providing clinical and didactic experiences in an extensive array of neurological sub-specialties.
To provide an overall culture of clinical and research excellence, firmly based in an unwavering commitment to our patients and our community.
To develop expert neurologists by providing a tailored educational plan that focuses on a progressive resident responsibility and autonomy over the course of an intensive 4-year experience, in accordance with the ACGME milestones and program requirements.
To ensure collegiality, professionalism and passion for teaching and lifelong learning by encouraging robust dialogue with our residents and faculty to create an environment that supports an ever-improving educational experience, patient safety and resident well-being.

Program Highlights

Resident education is centered at the first comprehensive Neuroscience Center in West Michigan.
Hauenstein Neurosciences offers fully-integrated inpatient and outpatient facilities within the Grand Rapids campus, with additional educational opportunities throughout West Michigan.
Hauenstein Neurosciences is the largest neurology department in West Michigan, featuring both general neurologists and fellowship-trained sub-specialists representing all areas of neurologic care.
Our faculty has completed their training at a broad range of world-renowned institutions, prior to locating in West Michigan to be part of a unique blend of cultural integrity, clinical excellence and an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, evolving and innovative neuroscience program.
Our faculty maintain a high level of academic activity, including research and publication in their areas of expertise.
Our institutional culture is singularly unique, with a focus on exceptional patient care, service to the community, and innovation through our philosophy of excellence.
Our graduates have 100% board passing rate and have matched to world class fellowship programs.
Our Continuity Clinic trains residents to be independent in procedures, including Botox, Nerve Blocks, and Lumbar Punctures.

Welcome from the Chair and Hauenstein Center Leadership

We are pleased to welcome you to Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We provide a unique opportunity for residency training that is anchored in a special institutional culture, philosophy of excellence, and commitment to our patients and community.

Our mission is to provide a transforming and compassionate health care presence in the community, and our vision is to be a trusted health care partner for life. The general and subspecialty neuroscience programs at Hauenstein Neurosciences emphasize team work, comprehensive care, and community support and outreach. Thus, we strive to provide a bridge to a full continuum of patient-centered programs.

Our History

As the first comprehensive neuroscience center established in West Michigan, we are proud to be part of the legacy of Ralph Hauenstein, the namesake of our center and a great humanitarian and philanthropist. Mr. Hauenstein lived his life with reverence, integrity and by placing the community first.

He helped to rebuild Europe after World War II, was an advisor to US Presidents, and through generous donations helped to build institutions of higher education and health care in West Michigan and beyond.

Trinity Health has a rich history of participating in resident medical education, though our name has evolved over the years. Initially, a joint venture, our first neurology residents were welcomed to our institution as part of the Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners under the leadership of Dr. David Kaufman. In 2017, we matriculated our first independent class of neurology residents as the Mercy Health Neurology Residency Program, guided by the vision of our emeritus medical director, Dr. Phil Gorelick. Since then, our numbers have grown, and our program has only become stronger.

We seek residency applicants with substantial human qualities and clinical acumen to honor the legacy of Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences.

Training Opportunities

Our neurology residency is anchored by training opportunities in programs such as neuromuscular disease, ALS and muscular dystrophy clinic, memory disorders and Alzheimer’s disease, comprehensive epilepsy care, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, headache and general neurology, multiple sclerosis, neurocritical care, interventional neuro-radiology, neuro-hospitalist services, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-palliative care, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, sleep medicine, spine and back care, vascular neurology and neuro-oncology.

A hallmark of these programs is an award-winning faculty and national recognition achievements for high-quality, well-coordinated, and comprehensive health care. In addition, we have access to other training opportunities through a statewide educational initiative in the neurosciences.

Not only are we notable for regional neuroscience care in West Michigan and outreach to our surrounding communities, we also provide excellence in neuroscience research as a component of many of our specialty programs. Research offerings include opportunities for medical students and residents to work with us and present their findings under our supervision at national meetings.

Explore our residency website to learn additional details about our faculty’s professional and research interests. These are exciting times in Grand Rapids as Hauenstein Neurosciences is rapidly growing and evolving to recruit competent, talented and engaging individuals who fit our warm culture at Trinity Health for our fully accredited and approved residency program in neurology.

Respectfully,

Herman Sullivan, MD
Executive Medical Director

Program Director Introduction

Welcome to the Neurology Residency Program at Trinity Health Grand Rapids!

I am delighted to introduce you to our program and share a bit about what makes it special. My name is Emily Johnson, MD, and I am honored to serve as the Program Director here. My journey in neurology began at the University of Michigan, where I majored in Movement Science within the School of Kinesiology.

I went on to complete my medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and further specialized in neurology during my residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. My sub-specialization is in Headache Medicine through the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties, though my primary scope of clinical practice is as a community-based general neurologist in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Since joining Trinity Health, I have been deeply involved in developing our residency program from the ground up, working alongside our former Program Director, Dr. Chris Morgan, MD, since our first residency class matriculation in 2017. After serving as the Associate Program Director for seven years, I was thrilled to step into the role of Program Director in July 2024.

Our residency program is designed to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded education that prepares our residents not only to become excellent general neurologists but also to lead in their chosen subspecialties. We emphasize a solid foundation in general neurology, complemented by in-depth exposure to subspecialties, research opportunities, and community outreach. Under the guidance of renowned faculty like Dr. Aileen Antonio, our curriculum equips residents with the skills they need to excel on both national and international stages.

One of the aspects I value most about our program is the sense of community we foster. We believe in the power of collaboration, where every voice is heard, and every team member contributes to our collective strength. Our residents are not only learners but also integral to the culture of excellence and humanism that defines Trinity Health.

Living and working in West Michigan is a joy, with its vibrant community, diverse cultural opportunities, and beautiful natural surroundings. Whether it's spending summers on the shores of Lake Michigan or enjoying the rich arts scene in Grand Rapids, there's always something to inspire and rejuvenate.

As Program Director, my vision for the future is to continue expanding our program's reach, particularly in the outlying communities of West Michigan like Muskegon and Grand Haven. I am passionate about innovation in medical education and am committed to recruiting and training the next generation of leaders in neurology.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading, and music, and I have a unique passion for woodturning. Just as I craft functional pieces of art from rough wood, I find great fulfillment in guiding and shaping the careers of our residents.

Thank you for considering our program. I look forward to the possibility of working with you as you embark on your journey in neurology.

Warm regards,

Emily C. Johnson, MD
Program Director

Program Overview

The Trinity Health Grand Rapids Neurology Residency at Hauenstein Neurosciences offers a fully-integrated clinical and didactic program that has been thoughtfully developed to offer the very best in neurology training. We pride ourselves on being a dynamic program that is continually evolving through the input of our residents.

We have very enthusiastic faculty members, representing all areas of neurologic sub-specialty practice and with diverse backgrounds of training at some of the best neuroscience centers in the world. Our faculty are dedicated to offering an exceptional residency education, and we are truly excited to inspire residents to become strong, resilient, compassionate neurologists.

Goals and Philosophies

The Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Neurology Residency at Hauenstein Neurosciences offers a unique training opportunity, based on an institutional culture that is distinctly different. Our goal is to prepare our residents to be exceptional and compassionate clinical neurologists, through clinical and didactic experiences led by our diverse team of general and fellowship-trained physicians.

Our training philosophy is an outgrowth of our overall culture of clinical and research excellence, firmly based on an unwavering commitment to our patients and our community. This is further supported by the transformative institutional mission of Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, and guided by the reverence, integrity and generous spirit of our namesake, Ralph Hauenstein.

Our program provides exceptional neurology training through a carefully designed curriculum that focuses on a progressive increase in resident responsibility and autonomy over the course of an intensive 4-year experience, in accordance with the ACGME MILESTONES process. We encourage robust dialogue with our resident colleagues, fostering an environment that supports an ever-improving educational experience, patient safety, and resident well-being.

Ready to apply?

All applications are accepted through ERAS. Please see the Applicants section of your preferred program for additional details.