Where do your residents go after completing residency?
Many of our residents choose to continue their graduate medical education by training in a fellowship. Others begin their work as independent practitioners right away. Below is a list of our most recent graduates and their placements:
UAMS Neurology Residency Graduates 2020-2025
| Harada, Yohei | 2020 | Neuromuscular Medicine, Duke University, Durham NC |
| Kairamkonda, Supriya | 2020 | Neurohospitalist, Indiana University Health |
| Malatesta, Lindsay | 2020 | Neuromuscular Medicine, Vanderbilt University |
| Marszalek, Jolanta | 2020 | Epilepsy Fellowship, UCLA |
| Elkhider, Hisham | 2021 | Brigham Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Epilepsy Fellowship |
| Sheng, Sen | 2021 | 1st yr. Clinical Neurophysiology with EEG track and 2nd yr Epilepsy, UPMC Presbyterian |
| Veerapaneni, Poornachand | 2021 | Epilepsy Fellowship, Baylor Medical College, Houston, TX |
| Bhattacharyya, Panna | 2021 | Unity Health General Neurology Practioner, Searcy AR |
| Lopez Castellanos, Jose Ricardo | 2022 | Movement Disorders Fellowship, Emory University |
| Sharma, Rohan | 2022 | Neuro Critical Care Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville FL |
| Haldal, Shilpa | 2022 | Neuro Critical Care Fellowship, University of Florida Gainesville |
| Battini, Sahithi | 2023 | Epilepsy Fellowship, Johns Hopkins |
| Arulprakash, Naren | 2023 | Vascular Neurology Fellowship, Johns Hopkins |
| Asghar, Zain | 2023 | Epilepsy Fellowship, Case Western |
| Bahekar, Rucha | 2023 | Neuroimmunology Fellowship, Baylor |
| Aly, Moustafa | 2024 | Neurohospitalist, Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Biyani, Shubham | 2024 | Neuro Critical Care Fellowship, Johns Hopkins |
| Pratt, Rebecca | 2024 | Movement Disorders Fellowship, University of Vermont |
| Syeda, Hafsa | 2024 | Neuro Critical Care Fellowship, Washington University |
| Verma, Khushboo | 2025 | Neuro Oncology Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine |
| Seifer, Aaron | 2025 | Vascular Neurology Fellowship, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville |
| Thatikala, Abhilash | 2025 | Vascular Neurology Fellowship, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis |
| Thirumalaivasan, Dhasakeerthi | 2025 | Vascular Neurology Fellowship, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis |
How do I apply to your program?
All applicants for a PGY-1 position in the UAMS Neurology residency program must apply through ERAS and provide the following:
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae
- Medical school transcript
- USMLE scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- Dean’s letter or MSPQ
- Personal statement
- ECFMG Certification (International Medical Graduates)
What are the program’s eligibility requirements?
An applicant must be able to carry out the duties as required of the residency training program.
The applicant must meet one of the following qualifications:
- Graduate from a medical school in the United States or Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- Graduate from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States or Canada accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Graduate from a medical school outside the United States who has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school
- A graduate who holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction
- Graduate of a medical school outside the United States or Canada with the following qualifications:
- Graduate of a medical school in the United States or Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- A currently valid certificate from the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Be eligible to receive a license in the State of Arkansas in compliance with Arkansas State Medical Board regulations
- The ability to reside continuously in the U.S. for the length of training
- Graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States or Canada accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Graduate of medical school outside the United States who has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school
- Be eligible to receive a license in the State of Arkansas in compliance with Arkansas State Medical Board regulations
Do you sponsor visas?
We sponsor H1 and J1 visas. ECFMG certification must be complete. For information on other non-immigrant visa types, or if you have questions, visit the UAMS Immigration Services page, or contact UAMS Immigration Services at AskImmigration@uams.edu.
10/02/2025
Visa Sponsorship Information
At this time, UAMS and its ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs sponsor only J-1 visas for international medical graduates. This is reflective of national and institutional requirements and is not related to applicant qualifications. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates and encourage international applicants who require visa sponsorship to apply under the J-1 visa pathway. Should federal policy change, including a waiver of the $100,000 H-1B petition cost requirement for healthcare workers, our institution will re-evaluate visa sponsorship capabilities.
Do you welcome D.O. graduates?
Yes.
What are your selection criteria?
We look at your entire application in a holistic fashion. Our goal is to identify candidates who would be a good fit for our program, UAMS, Little Rock, and Arkansas.
- We do not have a minimum score cut off or test failure.
- We do not have a graduation year cutoff requirement. However, we prefer the year of graduation to be less than five years unless the applicant is able to demonstrate substantial professional development.
- We do not require US clinical experience although it is encouraged
- We do not require research experience.
Keep in mind that your full application will be reviewed and compared to all who apply.
We give careful consideration to the following with regard to:
- A demonstrated genuine interest in neurology as the top choice for the field of study
- Strong Interest in participating a small to medium-sized community environment
- Desire to be in a work-family environment
- Interest in living Arkansas
- Demonstrated ability to choose goals and to complete the tasks necessary to achieve those goals
- Maturity and emotional stability
- Communication skills and professionalism
May I arrange for a visit to see what your program looks like? May I drop in to try to speak with someone?
Sorry, due to the large number of applications we do not offer informal visit opportunities. Please apply through ERAS. If you are chosen for an interview, we will let you know. All interviews will be done virtually.
May I send you a copy of my CV?
ERAS is our sole source for reviewing applications. Please do NOT mail, email, fax, or drop off documents. We will not review anything outside of ERAS.
Do you offer shadowing or volunteer opportunities, observerships, externships, or research positions for applicants who are *not* current medical students?
No.
Will I be allowed to teach medical students?
Absolutely, and medical students will evaluate your teaching skills throughout your time in the program. At the graduation ceremony each June, we present a teaching award to the graduating resident with the strongest evaluations by medical students.
Do you offer “away rotations” for current medical students?
No.
What are my chances of being accepted into your residency program?
Last year, we had more than 800 applicants for only four positions. The competition is intense. We do, however, review every application on an individual basis. Additionally, we review your application as a whole, considering all your strengths and experiences.
Please understand that we cannot give you advice about whether or not you should apply to the program, or provide an analysis of your likelihood of being accepted. The only way to be considered is to apply — in that way, we can make an informed decision based on all of your credentials.
We also have a limited number of spaces for personal interviews. Bear with us patiently as we need time to examine hundreds of applications throughout the season.
What is your interviewing schedule?
Applications become available for programs review in September of the preceding academic year.
Virtual interviews will begin in November and run through January. Again, we ask for your patience as it takes time to evaluate hundreds of applications. Only a small percentage of applicants will be invited for interviews.