Objective:

The Neurology Academy was developed to provide early exposure to neurology for first-year medical students. The program aimed to improve student comfort with neuroanatomy and neurologic clinical reasoning, introduce procedural skills, and foster early mentorship in the field.

Background:

Despite its importance across clinical disciplines, neurology is consistently perceived by medical students as one of the most challenging fields, contributing to a phenomenon commonly referred to as “neurophobia.” With the growing burden of neurological disease and an aging population, there is an urgent need to increase interest and confidence in neurology among future physicians.

Design/Methods:

The curriculum was embedded within a week-long intersession. It included interactive seminars, procedural workshops, and a faculty and resident career panel. Instructional sessions covered neuroanatomy, clinical localization, and neurologic emergencies through case-based and multi-sensory formats. Procedural workshops offered hands-on training in lumbar puncture, botulinum toxin administration, and stroke code simulation. Pre- and post-program surveys assessed student attitudes, confidence, and interest in neurology.

Results:

Participation in the Neurology Academy was associated with a significant increase in student confidence with neuroanatomy (p = 0.001) and a significant increase in interest in pursuing neurology as a career (p = 0.005). All post-survey respondents recommended offering the program to future students, and nearly half requested longitudinal mentorship from neurology faculty.

Conclusions:

This pilot program suggests that targeted early exposure to neurology, delivered through interactive and procedural learning, can promote interest in neurology among preclinical medical students. The Neurology Academy was made possible through philanthropic support from a grateful patient, illustrating how community partnership can serve as a novel and impactful model to advance early neurology education and strengthen the future workforce.