James "Nick" Brenton

• B.S.  University of Evansville
• M.D.  Indiana University School of Medicine
• Pediatrics Residency, University of Virginia

I come from a very small town in southern Indiana and had done my undergraduate and medical school training in Indiana as well.  I was convinced I wanted to continue residency there as well until I saw UVA.  The town, the people, the history, and the hospital make Charlottesville a wonderful place to live and train.  The city of Charlottesville is big enough without being overwhelmingly large, but is still able to support a wide variety of activities, venues, and restaurants.  It’s so inspiring to train in a city that is so rich in its historical perspective – whether it be walking the campus or taking a trip up to Monticello for the official tour.

Though the city is a wonderful place to live, the main aspect that drew me to train here was the training program.  I did my first two years of pediatrics at UVA and could not have been happier about my choice.  The program is full of such great teachers and residents.  It is small enough to know every attending and have them know you but large enough that you see a great amount of pathology as well as the bread and butter pediatrics.  Some of the best physicians I have ever met are integral to UVA’s pediatric program.  I feel as if I left my training in pediatrics with great confidence in the care of children and a handful of great colleagues and friends.

I am currently in the thick of my neurology training and similar to pediatrics I have found an abundance of wonderful teachers and colleagues.  There is so much to learn and so many people that are eager to teach which makes UVA such a wonderful place to grow as a physician.  We have many well-known and respected neurologists to train under – including Dr. Rust who is very well known throughout the neurology community.  I consider it an honor to train amongst these doctors.

As you’re reading this, I’m sure you’re in the midst of deciding where to interview and how to rank those programs.  For me, UVA was a gut feeling – once I had finished interviewing, I knew this is where I wanted to train.  I would love to talk with anyone interested in pursuing a residency in child neurology.  Residency selection is a huge choice and I feel that UVA has offered me every aspect that I was looking for.  Good luck with interviewing and please contact me with any questions (jnb8h@virginia.edu).

Nick Brenton

Scott I. Otallah

• B.A.  University of Virginia
• M.D.  University of Virginia
• Pediatrics Residency, Year 1, Washington University, St. Louis
• Pediatrics Residency, Year 2, University of Virginia

I have been in Virginia a long time now.  I grew up in a small town, Culpeper, VA, and always thought I would move on to bigger and more distant cities.  However, I came to Charlottesville and I stuck (mostly).  I've been very happy through my years in this small city.  It is where I met my wife, it is not too far from my family, and most importantly, it offers me endless opportunities for learning in order to take better care of children in the future.

I left for a year to explore my horizons, and went to a very large program.  I liked many things about that place, and would have stayed for my training if my personal life had not intervened.  When I was very graciously welcomed back into the UVA family, I quickly realized that this place was better suited for my learning style than where I had begun.  Being a part of a smaller, more collegial group of faculty and residents, lends itselt to individual motivation and self-learning.  Not everything is handed to you on a silver spoon, but you are supported, no matter what your interests.  And importantly, you are able to pursue your own interests beyond the basics.

In addition, it is important to note that the size of our faculty is rather misleading as there is more expertise available than one might initially notice. Not only are there two epileptologists who also see children, but there is also a while group of neuro-developmental pediatricians located at Kluge Children's Rehab Center who have expertise in running clinics in TBC, CP, Muscular Dystrophy, etc. which we regularly attend in our 4th and 5th years.

Having known and worked with recent graduates of our program, I hope to live up to the expectations they have set for us.  If you have any thoughts about the program here at UVA or child neurology residency in general I'm always happy to talk.  Feel free to e-mail me (sio2m@virginia.edu).

Scott Otallah