Dear Child Neurology Applicant,
Welcome to the Child Neurology Residency at the University of Colorado. We’re thrilled that you’re considering our program and hope you find the answers to your questions about our program on these next few pages. If not, please reach out to any member of our education team (contact information below).
Here in Colorado, you will find a training program that provides exposure to a wide breadth of child neurology while emphasizing resident wellness and an individualized training experience. Many of our graduates go on to additional sub-specialty training, while others choose general child neurology, academic, and private practice across the country. Our program will truly allow you to become whatever type of excellent child neurologist you wish to be.
For the 2024-2025 recruitment season we will be recruiting four residents into our categorical program, five years of training program (pediatrics and child neurology) here at the University of Colorado.
We’re looking for residents with a strong track-record of excellence in their medical training who are great communicators, team-players, and want to help us continue to improve our training program year after year. We strive to have a diverse residency that mirrors our surrounding community. As the only free-standing children’s hospital in Colorado, this encompasses our large metro area of Denver as well as our seven-state catchment area in the Mountain West.
As a resident here, most of your training will take place at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, where you will be led by our large faculty of over 60 child neurologists with expertise in inpatient neurology, critical care, neuro-immunology, stroke, neuro-genetics, epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, neurocutaneous disorders, headache, and general child neurology, among others. During the pediatric training years, as well as during the adult neurology training year, our residents rotate at Denver Health, a large safety-net hospital, providing care to nearly 25% of Denver's population, including the under and uninsured.
We also offer an optional 5-year longitudinal interest track system, allowing incoming residents to pick a specific area of interest including research, global health, community neurology, or medical education. Residents will spend at least four months over their training dedicated to this track, with didactic, clinical, and research components built-in as appropriate.
Thank you for considering our program. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and learn more about your choice to pursue child neurology.
Sincerely,
Teri Schreiner, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Section of Child Neurology
Program Director, Child Neurology
Children’s Hospital Colorado
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Education Team |
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Teri Schreiner, MD, MPH I came to Colorado from the east coast in 2006 after medical school and have never left! Prior to medical school I earned a master's degree in public health and worked as a healthcare consultant. I conduct clinical research, see patients and hold leadership roles within our section in addition to serving as the child neurology program director and pediatric neuroimmunology fellowship director. Clinically, my focus is pediatric neuroimmunology, with a particular focus on pediatric onset multiple sclerosis and acute flaccid myelitis. I am married and have twin 6-year-olds in first grade. |
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Elizabeth Troy, MD
I'm originally from south Louisiana but welcome the milder weather, mountain views, and inviting culture of the Centennial State. In 2014, I joined the team of Children's Hospital Colorado as a pediatrics intern and have been here ever since. My clinical focus is outpatient child neurology while my primary academic and research interest is medical education. During my time away from the hospital, my husband, daughter, son, and I enjoy local eats, gravel trails, and mountain towns. |
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Andra Dingman, MD
I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, but was a 8-year Californian when I came to Colorado in 2010. My clinical interests are neurocritical care, and specifically Neonatal Neurology. In addition to attending on the Neuro-ICU service I see patients in the Neonatal Neurology clinic and oversee the NICU Hospital discharge clinic, a resident clinic for NICU grads that need to establish Neurology follow up care. I also run a basic-translational research lab studying cellular mechanisms of injury repair after neonatal stroke. |
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Laura Konopka, MST
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Priscilla Harlan I joined the education team in January 2024, after working in Neurology on the Children’s side for over 17 years. Outside of work I spend my time with my husband and our two young kids at the park, library, going out to restaurants, or hanging at home with our dog. I also enjoy watching almost any sport, especially football and hockey.
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PGY 5 - Child Neuro Residents |
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Jaisyn Glickman, MD Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida
Undergraduate School: Floria State University
Medical School: FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time outdoors (especially with my 2 pups), hiking, skiing, cooking/eating, reading, spending time with my lovely co-residents
Why Colorado: I chose Colorado because I felt most at home with the culture of the group. They value inclusivity, collegiality and feeling passionate about both your profession and your life outside of work. Also, the geographical opportunities were a major draw. It allows me to train in a places where I can also engage in so many exciting hobbies and outings during my time off. |
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Sarah Guistolisi, MD Hometown: Griffith, Indiana Undergraduate School: Indiana University Medical School: Chicago Medical School at RFUMS Hobbies: Being a mom, thrifting, painting and multiple other forms of art, medical and non-medical creative writing, hiking, spending time outdoors Why Colorado: I loved the academic but inviting feel of the hospital and specifically, the Child Neurology section. I love that every season here has something great to offer - it's easy to escape the summer heat with the many local pools or the higher elevation of the mountains, and winter is mild but has so many great activities like skiing and snow-shoeing, festivals. The weather is almost always beautiful, which is such a treat coming from the Midwest. We love being outside at parks and exploring the many museums, restaurants, and breweries of Denver. Additionally, I have come to realize over the last few years that Denver is a really wonderful place to raise children. |
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Mollie Lesser, MD Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate School: University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) Medical School: Rush University Medical College Hobbies: Dancing, soccer, skiing, hiking, hanging by the pool, exploring local restaurants Why Colorado: I love being able to explore the outdoors and hang out in a city on my days off! Colorado gives me a great combination of being able to learn at both a large Children's hospital with complex patients and patients with rare diseases, as well as the community hospital, Denver Health. When I came to visit Denver for my interview I knew it was the right fit for me with a super welcoming group of residents who have fun together outside of work! |
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Kelsey Patterson, MD, PhD Hometown: Columbus, Ohio Undergraduate School: UC Berkeley/University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine Hobbies: Running, gardening, home improvement projects, hiking with the dogs Why Colorado: I was sold on the natural beauty and amazing outdoor opportunities that exist here in Denver and on the front range. CHCO is a top program and provides a depth and breadth of exposure to everything you might expect to see in your future career. To top it off, there is an unmatched level of camaraderie among the residents, both pediatric and neurology, which makes life in residency SO much better. |
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Amy Young, MD Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota Undergraduate School: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Medical School: University of Colorado Hobbies: Bouldering, Hiking, Biking, Volleyball in the park, Painting Why Colorado: I love the people! I went to medical school here (CU School of Medicine) and was able to meet many of the Child Neurology residents, fellows, attendings, nurses and other staff members during my rotations throughout 3rd and 4th year and felt so welcomed. I met many inspiring physicians in the field of Child Neurology who were excellent care providers, researchers and educators (who I continue to look up to and aspire to be), and found that they also really valued their lives outside of medicine in addition to their careers. The residents seemed to have fun together at work and enjoyed getting together outside of work. I also picked up many different hobbies here while in medical school that I wanted to continue during residency. I love all the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer and spend most of my time outside the hospital with friends at the climbing gym, hiking, biking or at City Park playing volleyball. |
PGY 4 - Child Neurology Residents |
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Emily Eichner, MD Hometown: Rochester, NY Undergraduate School: Northwestern University University of Vermont
Why Colorado: because of the combination of excellent clinical training with a large patient population, multiple hospital experiences at both an academic center and a community hospital, and the amazing camaraderie between the residents. It's also such an incredible place to live with both the benefits of a big city and the ability to travel to beautiful mountains with endless activities.
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Erin Guth, MD Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia Undergraduate School: Christopher Newport University Medical School: Eastern Virginia Hobbies: DIY home renovation and design, hiking, sourdough baking, taste testing my husband's homemade cider and wine Why Colorado: I was initially drawn to this program because of the exposure to mentors in my subspecialty of interest as well as the large catchment area (meaning I would get to see all kinds of cool pathology). Once I began getting to know the people and the location, I knew this was the right program for me! I also felt strongly that as someone who entered residency with a partner, I needed to find a program and location that would help my not-in-medicine partner thrive, since ultimately he spends more time outside of work than I do. This was absolutely the right program to accomplish that goal! Not only have the program and my fellow residents/fellows been incredibly welcoming to my partner, but Denver has offered all the activities he could want to do in his free time. |
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Anna Leigh McVicar, MD Hometown: Henderson, KY Undergraduate: University of Kentucky Medical school: University of Louisville Hobbies: reading, hiking, and camping/mountain weekends/brewery hopping with friends Why Colorado: It cannot be overstated: THE PEOPLE. Residency can be difficult at times, so having a support system of like minded, hilarious, and kind co-residents makes all the difference. Also, it doesn’t just stop with my co-residents. The faculty within this program and the peds program are some of the most welcoming, intelligent, and supportive people I have ever met. Colorado has given me the autonomy to grow into the physician I want to be, while also maintaining a safe and inviting learning environment where it is okay to make mistakes and ask questions. This was evident to me from day one. Also, having the opportunity to spend your days off in places people normally plan entire vacations for doesn’t hurt. |
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Lucas Morgan, MD Hometown: Elkhart, IN Undergraduate: Butler University Medical school: Indiana University Hobbies: playing the piano, hiking, scuba diving Why Colorado: During my interview/happy hour, it looked like the residents really got along and genuinely enjoyed being around each other. I had an attending in medical school tell me that, "as long as you're around people you like, you can be happy," which I think holds true and is the main reason I'm here! (In addition to the mountains, Red Rocks, etc.) |
Chelsea Lee, MD Hometown: Albany, GA Undergraduate: Emory University Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine Hobbies: Skiing, mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding, and thrifting Why Colorado: Colorado had it all for me! The hospital and training are top-notch. I loved how there is every subspecialty in neuro, so I knew I would get a ton of exposure and be well-rounded. Everyone I met felt like a friend. Life outside of work is just as important, and I am a mountain girl at heart. Being able to go into the mountains every week on my days off has been the best thing ever! |
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Karina Rivera, MD Hometown: Edinburg, TX Undergraduate: Brown University Medical school: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Hobbies: acrylic painting (landscapes and animals) reading fanfiction, exploring hot springs in CO, currently learning how to tailor my own clothes with the help of YouTube. Why Colorado: Resident community, training and patient population. Even over zoom, I quickly sensed that the residents were grounded, passionate, and supportive, which is exactly what I needed for my personal and professional growth. Although I was born and raised near the Texas-Mexico border, Colorado was where I first experienced a Dia de Los Muertos Festival, A Dragon Boat Festival, and many more cultural experiences. After a family member struggeled to get a diagnosis of Myasthemia Gravis, it became essential to find a residency training program that could offer exposure to a wide range of medical conditions. Colorado's program provides unique training through its vast catchment area and exposure to an academic center and community hospital. |
PGY 2 - 2nd year Pediatrics Resident |
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Tristan Brown, MD Savannah Bush, MD Jason Glanzman, MD Lauren Hurst, MD Grace Newell, MD Jacob Story, MD |
PGY 1 - 1st year Pediatrics Resident |
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Athena Clemens, MD Logan Fortenberry, MD Megan Fritz, MD Sadie Meller, MD
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Residents graduating from our program enjoy continued success in a variety of different areas, which include academic positions, continued educational advancement, and neurology practice. Child Neurology graduates are in high demand both in Colorado and around the country.
Our residency program:
General Program Overview
Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine's Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics offer a five-year categorical residency in child neurology. We train 4 residents per year.
The goal of the program is to train physicians in child neurology and prepare them for careers in clinical or academic medicine. As a residency training program, the program curriculum is designed to meet two objectives: to independently and competently attend to the neurological disorders of childhood and to prepare residents to sit for board exams at the completion of the program. The Child Neurology Residency Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine has been training pediatric neurology residents since the 1960s. Formal ACGME accreditation has been continuous since guidelines for this program were established in 1988.
To date, more than 50 residents have trained here since the program’s inception. All child neurology faculty are certified by the ABPN with special qualification in child neurology and have diverse interests and skills to provide the breadth of teaching necessary. See "Our Patients” tab for more details. The main office and the majority of clinical services are located at Children’s Hospital Colorado, in Aurora, Colorado.
We also provide clinical services through Children’s Hospital Colorado Network of Care centers in Broomfield, Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Wheat Ridge, Parker, and Colorado Springs. Additional outreach locations include: Durango, Grand Junction, Alamosa, and internationally in Guatemala.
We train physicians to provide compassionate, high quality, evidence-based care to children with neurologic disorders within today’s healthcare environment while supporting resident wellness. Child Neurology graduates are in high demand, both in Colorado and around the country. Residents graduating from our program enjoy continued success in a variety of different areas, including academic positions, fellowship training programs, and private neurology practice. Furthermore, in the past 10+ years, we have a 100% pass rate for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Child Neurology board examination.
Social Media
Be sure to follow us on Instagram
Curriculum
Our program meets the requirements for categorical child neurology training as set by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which are
24 months of general pediatrics training
12 months of adult clinical neurology
12 months of child clinical neurology with a minimum of four months of outpatient experience
Participation in a resident longitudinal/continuity clinic at least one half day weekly
12 months of elective and specialty training including: neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuro-ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, neurological surgery, neurodevelopment, clinical research, and the basic sciences
We are committed to education and work-life balance. Our schedule is compliant with all ACGME duty hour regulations and allows our residents the personal time to spend with loved ones and enjoy the beauty of Colorado. Patient care responsibilities are meant to ensure a balance between patient care and education that achieves for the trainee an optimal educational experience consistent with the best medical care. Patient care responsibilities include inpatient, outpatient and consultation experiences.
We now offer a 5-year longitudinal track system that will allow our residents to specialize in a specific area. During the second year of training, our residents will pick a specific track that will allow them 4 months (1 month per year) to focus on training in their area of interest.
2 months: adult neurology outpatient clinical adult neurology at UCH, VA, DH
2 months: blended pediatric/adult electives in subspecialty areas of neurology including neurophysiology, neuromuscular and pathology.
1 month: child neurology inpatient (primary and consult), ICU, & emergency consult services
1 month: Child neurology elective
Continuity clinic in child neurology at CHCO; one-half day weekly
For more specific information regarding Adult Neurology training program, please visit the Adult Neurology website.
3- 4 months: core electives in neurophysiology, neuroradiology, neuro-oncology
2 months: rotating outpatient clinics in child neurology, genetics, rehabilitation, neuromuscular, development, psychiatry, metabolic disease
1 month: blended pediatric/adult electives in pathology
2-3 months: elective in research and/or clinical setting
Continuity clinic in child neurology at CHCO; one-half day weekly
3 months: child neurology inpatient (primary and consult services), ICU & emergency consult services
2 months: remaining core electives in neurophysiology, neuroradiology, neuro-oncology
1 month: inpatient psychiatry (3 weeks) & medical risk management (1 week)
2-3 months: rotating outpatient clinics in child neurology, genetics, rehabilitation, neuromuscular, development, psychiatry, metabolic disease
1 month: adult neurology outpatient clinical adult neurology at UCH
2-3 months: electives in research and/or clinical settings
Continuity clinic in child neurology at CHCO; one-half day weekly
Longitudinal Interest Tracks
We currently support four resident interest tracks that span our 5-year training program; research, medical education, global health, and community neurology;
Research Interest Track – this track is designed for residents with a strong basic science background and in interest in pursuing a career as a physician scientist. We support one resident per year to forgo eligibility for general pediatric board certification and complete six months of basic science research during their PGY2 year in lieu of traditional clinical pediatrics rotations. We will match you with a mentor during your PGY1 year and can support additional longitudinal research months in the PGY4-5 years as desired.
Medical Education – this track is designed for residents interested in becoming clinician educators or improving their education skills. Residents will participate in the Medical Educators track as organized by the Pediatrics residency program throughout their five years which includes courses, didactics, journal clubs, and small group sessions. They will also participate in an educational research project or curriculum development project under the mentorship of one of our education faculty within neurology and/or pediatrics
Global Health – this track is designed for residents interested in the practice of medicine and neurology internationally. Residents will participate in the Global Health track through the pediatrics residency program in their PGY1-2 years, including an intro to global health course and an international elective at our sister clinic in Guatemala. Additional international experiences in the PGY3-5 years might include educational or quality improvement rotations in Ethiopia or Tanzania. Residents will complete a scholarly project in global health.
Community Neurology – this track is designed for residents interested in practicing general outpatient neurology either in a private community or primarily clinical academic setting. This track will incorporate a scholarly project related to outpatient neurology as well as outreach experiences at many of our rural locations throughout Colorado, in addition to a didactic component dedicated to general outpatient management and practice.
Our program currently uses a modified night float system that combines an on-site evening shift with at-home call. Residents in their PGY4 and PGY5 years rotate through our nights system, for a total of 5-6 weeks over the course of each year. Residents in the PGY3 year do a total of 5-6 weeks of night coverage split between the Pediatric and the Adult programs.
The pediatric residency program has an established relationship with Trifinio (FUNSALUD) clinic in Guatemala where our residents can participate in education and research in collaboration with our general pediatrics program and the local training hospital in Guatemala City.
The child neurology program has an established relationship with two hospitals in Uganda.
Educational Conferences and Didactics
Mon | Noon - EEG Conference |
Tues | 7:30am - Neuroradiology Conference: with neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroradiology faculty and trainees |
Wed | 12-1pm - Neurology Department Grand Rounds
2-5pm - Neurology Residency Didactics Educational series |
Thurs | 12:30pm - Child Neurology Lecture Series |
Fri | 12-1 pm- Case Conference, |
Our residents are highly involved in decision-making processes. In our monthly resident meetings, we discuss all aspects on the program. An education committee comprised of the faculty and at least one of the child neurology residents meets bi-annually to review various aspects of the training program. In addition, we hold a yearly retreat and multiple off-site gatherings each year. More program details can be found online in our GME Program Handbook and Policy Manual Child Neurologyy. Additionally, information regarding the University of Colorado Graduate Medical Education Office, policies/procedures, and resident stipends/benefits can be found on the GME website.
The section of child neurology is nationally recognized for providing outstanding consultation, clinical care, and surgery for children and adolescents with neurological disorders. Our department is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases, pediatric stroke, and genetic disorders affecting the nervous system. Children's Hospital Colorado has an eight state referral area which ensures an incredibly rich educational experience for our residents.
The section of child neurology currently has over 60 faculty members including: physicians, neuropsychologists, researchers, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The section of child neurology treats approximately
14,000 patients per year on the inpatient services and in our outpatient clinics.
As a resident in our program you will have the opportunity to evaluate and treat patients in our outpatient clinics including:
Neurology Clinics | Multidisciplinary Clinics |
· General Neurology Clinic · Hospital Discharge Clinic · Headache and Integrative · Headache Clinic · Biofeedback · Epilepsy Clinic · Ketogenic Diet Clinic · Multiple Sclerosis Clinic · Non-Epileptic Spells Clinic · Complex ·Neuropsychology Services · 22Q Deletion Clinic | · Accidental Brain Injury Clinic (with rehab, PT/OT/ST, social work, and school support services) |
Our team regularly travels to locations throughout the Rocky Mountain Region giving patients access to specialty care in more remote locations. Residents participate in at least one outreach clinic trip in each of their PGY 4 and 5 years.
Applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service, and we participate in the National Residency Match Program.
When applying to the University of Colorado Child Neurology Residency Program, please consider the following requirements:
We are a categorical program and currently offer four categorical positions with pediatrics. All applicants must apply directly on ERAS to only the University of Colorado Child Neurology program and submit the requirements as specified below. A separate pediatrics application is not required.
Child Neurology Criteria for Intern, Resident and Fellow Selection
1. Dedication to Pediatric Neurological Care
2. Commitment to Education and Research
3. Emphasis on Personal and Professional Growth
4. Advocacy for Wellness
5. Effective Communication and Feedback
6. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
These criteria aim to ensure that residents and fellows selected for our programs are aligned with our core principles and are dedicated to contributing positively to the program's mission and values.
Interview Day
Once selected to interview you will work with Laura Konopka, program coordinator, to schedule your child neurology and pediatrics interview. Both programs will use Thalamus for the interview scheduling process. All interviews will be conducted virtually for the 2023-2024 recruitment season.
Candidates with MD/PhD degrees will also meet with research faculty during their interview day.
There will be a virtual social event at the end of your interview day to provide all applicants a chance to interact with current residents.
A final agenda will be sent to you with interview/social logistics prior to your interview date.
2024-2025 Interview days
TBD
The University of Colorado offers salary and benefits packages that are competitive with other fellowship programs across the country. View current salary levels. In addition to the University provided benefits the program provides $225 to purchase books and $1250 a year to attend conferences.
The Mile High City is nestled at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains and is the largest city in the region with a population of 2.8 million. Denver enjoys one of the best climates in the country, with 300 days/year of sunny skies. Although it snows in the winter, the snow melts quickly and temperatures are usually moderate. Hot summer days give way to cool summer evenings. The city is the home to dozens of highly rated restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. The city attracts many outdoor enthusiasts with its extensive system of hiking and bike trails and the largest city park system in the country. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the largest performing arts complex under one roof in the country and attracts many of the top national theater tours each year. Red Rocks Amphitheater, a natural amphitheater in the foothills west of town attracts the nation’s top touring musical talent throughout the summer. Denver is home to the Denver Broncos (NFL), the Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Rockies (MLB), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), the Colorado Rapids (MLS) and the Colorado Outlaws (MLL). The University of Colorado, the state flagship school and a world-class educational institution, is based in nearby Boulder. In addition, Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, which offer abundant recreational and sightseeing opportunities year round. The state of Colorado is home to over 20 major ski areas, many of which are within 2 hours of the city. For more information, please visit the Denver Travel and Visitor Bureau.
Please address any application questions to:
Laura Konopka
Education Coordinator for the Department of Child Neurology
Children's Hospital Colorado
Child Neurology Residency
13123 East 16th Avenue, B-155
Aurora, Colorado 80045
Tel: (720) 777-0595
Email Laura
Adam Finney
Education Coordinator for the Department of Child Neurology
Children's Hospital Colorado
Child Neurology Fellowships
13123 East 16th Avenue, B-155
Aurora, Colorado 80045
Tel: (720) 777-2704
Email Adam
Diversity / Equity / Inclusion |
We are committed to creating a diverse environment for students, residents, fellows, and faculty. We believe that an environment of inclusiveness and respect promotes excellence and that a setting where diversity is valued leads to the training of physicians who are prepared to practice culturally effective medicine and meet the needs of the various populations we serve. Visit our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage for more.... |