Program overview
The University of Missouri (Mizzou) College of Veterinary Medicine offers a three-year hybrid Neurology/Neurosurgery Residency Training Program in collaboration with The Animal Neurology Center (ANC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Established in 2013, the program is the only hybrid neurology residency of its kind in veterinary medicine, combining the caseload, resources and multidisciplinary expertise of Mizzou’s veterinary teaching hospital with the clinical pace of private specialty practice.
The program prepares residents for board certification in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Specialty of Neurology. Since its inception, every resident has earned ACVIM Diplomate status, demonstrating the program’s strong record of preparing neurology specialists for careers in academic medicine and private specialty practice.
Residents gain hands-on experience with in neurology and neurosurgery and advanced diagnostic technologies, mentorship from board-certified specialists and opportunities for collaborative research. A concurrent Master of Science degree is also available.
Approximately 33% of clinical training takes place at ANC, with housing provided during rotations in St. Louis.
The position is posted through the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).
Learn more about the participating institutions:
Clinical training and mentorship
Residents train alongside three neurology and neurosurgery faculty members at Mizzou and two neurologists at ANC, drawing on the expertise and clinical resources of both institutions.
Additional support is provided by board-certified faculty in surgery, ophthalmology, large and small animal internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, imaging, radiation oncology, anesthesiology, emergency and critical care, clinical pathology and anatomic pathology, including neuropathology expertise. Basic science faculty specializing in the neurosciences further enrich the training experience.
Residents devote the majority of their time to small animal neurology and neurosurgery, with additional consultation opportunities involving food animal and equine patients. At Mizzou, neurology emergency duties are shared amongst the neurology residents, while neurosurgery emergency duties are shared with surgery residents.
Residents also have opportunities to broaden their clinical experience through rotations in other ACVIM specialties, surgery, radiology and other veterinary specialties. With Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine on the same campus, residents may also pursue rotations in human neurology and neurosurgery, offering a valuable interdisciplinary perspective. Outside rotations and additional specialized training may be arranged as needed.
Facilities and technology
Advanced technology is a defining strength of the program. Across two clinical training sites, residents have access to an extensive range of diagnostic, surgical and critical care resources that support complex neurologic evaluations, procedures and patient care.
At the core of diagnostic imaging, Mizzou operates a 3.0T MRI, while The Animal Neurology Center is home to the first U.S. installation of the low-cryogen Siemens 1.5T MRI, both enhanced with advanced AI technology for optimized image quality. These capabilities are complemented by multislice CT scanners and digital radiography at both sites. Mizzou also offers a robust clinical and anatomic pathology services, while ANC utilizes virtual cytology with an Imagyst microscope to provide rapid, real-time diagnostics. Both centers are further equipped with electrodiagnostic systems for comprehensive neurologic evaluations.
Surgical resources across the two sites include 3D exoscopes, advanced stabilization systems featuring pedicle screw and rod technology, titanium mesh, neuronavigation and surgical aspiration units. Extensive use of 3D printing to develop patient-specific models and instrumentation further enhances surgical accuracy, efficiency and safety.
Critical care resources are another strength of the program. Both locations feature ventilators, oxygen cages and high-flow nasal oxygen systems for advanced respiratory support. ANC also offers touchless Doppler monitoring technology for precise, low-stress patient monitoring. Additional specialized facilities at Mizzou include a gait analysis laboratory, nuclear scintigraphy and a comprehensive rehabilitation suite supporting advanced recovery care.
Didactic training and research
The residency pairs clinical experience with a structured educational program designed to deepen specialty knowledge and prepare residents for ACVIM board certification.
In addition to clinical rounds with students and faculty, residents participate in a weekly neurology journal club conducted by video conference with three other programs, neurology resident rounds and imaging and neuropathology rounds. Residents also attend the weekly Clinicopathology Conference and house officer seminars. Didactic instruction from specialists across a variety of disciplines further supports professional development.
Residents are expected to complete a research project to fulfill ACVIM requirements. Collaborative projects may be pursued, and modest funding is available to support resident research.
Program contact
For additional information about the residency program, contact:
Joan R. Coates, DVM, MS, DACVIM–Neurology
Residency Training Program Director
University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
CoatesJ@missouri.edu
573-882-7821
Missouri licensure to practice veterinary medicine and prescribe controlled substances is required before beginning the program. Applicants must be graduates of an AVMA-accredited college or hold an ECFVG certificate and must pass the NAVLE, as defined by the Missouri State Board of Veterinary Examiners, with results documented through the licensure application process. Matched applicants who are not yet licensed will receive Missouri State Board Examination requirements and application forms after match confirmation and should plan to take the examination in mid-June to ensure timely licensure. For details, contact Mizzou’s Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Administrative Official at mucvmvmsadmin@missouri.edu.