About the Department of Neurology

The University of Iowa College of Medicine Department of Neurology was founded in 1928.  It was one of the first academic departments of neurology in the nation, and the first to be established west of the Mississippi River.  In its 82 year history the Department has established an enduring national reputation for excellence in each of its component missions, patient care, education, and research.

As one measure of clinical excellence, the Department is ranked among the top 25 departments in the nation in the most recent U.S. News and World Report poll.  13 of our 24 MD faculty members are currently named as “Best Doctors in America” by their peers. 

The Department places a special emphasis on education at all levels.  In the most recent year, Neurology faculty members accounted for one-third of the total nominations of the Junior and Senior medical school classes for the College of Medicine faculty “Teacher of the Year.”  Similar devotion to educational excellence is evident in our 24 person residency program and the highly successful University of Iowa Graduate Program in Neuroscience which is directed from within our department.  We are proud of our former Neurology trainees, 14 of whom have gone on to chair an academic department of neurology and 45 of whom currently hold academic appointments at 26 different medical schools.  As well, 22 former cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology trainees hold current academic appointments at 15 different universities.  Funded research in the department spans a large segment of the spectrum of neuroscience investigation ranging from neuroepidemiology to clinical translational research, molecular biology, and systems cognitive neuroscience.

The Department currently hosts 10 individual NIH grants and 20 NIH subcontracts totaling $4.8 million annually in total costs, plus an additional 3 VA Merit Review grants.