Welcome to the Baylor College of Medicine Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Programs!
We’re so glad you’re here, and we thank you for your interest in our community. Our programs include four unique training pathways — Categorical Child Neurology, Foundational Child Neurology, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD), and Basic Neuroscience Research (BNS) — and together they form a vibrant, collaborative, and welcoming training environment. As the 2025–2026 Chief Residents, we (Brooke Evans, Maria Jose Gonzalez, and Rima El Atrache) are thrilled to share what drew us here, what’s kept us inspired, and how we’re continuing to grow and innovate as a program.
Our residency is based at Texas Children’s Hospital (just down the street from Baylor College of Medicine) in the heart of the Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world — right here in Houston, one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the country. Texas Children’s is currently ranked #1 in Texas and #3 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with our Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery division ranked #2 nationwide. This means you’ll see just about everything there is to see in pediatric neurology while being supported by phenomenal faculty who are leaders in their fields.
For adult neurology training, our residents rotate through the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Ben Taub General Hospital — giving you experience with a broad spectrum of pathology and patient populations. Education is a cornerstone of our program, with daily protected time for lectures, free from clinical responsibilities, and a robust culture of learning from peers, faculty, and bedside experience alike.
What truly sets our program apart — and what we love most — is our sense of community. We are a tight-knit group of residents and faculty who support each other not just in the hospital, but in life. Whether it’s sharing a meal (we love a good happy hour), running, playing trivia, painting, or just catching up after a long day, we genuinely enjoy spending time together. Some of us have spouses, kids, or family in town and some of us don’t — all of us have found lifelong friendships here.
That spirit of camaraderie extends beyond residents to our faculty and program leadership. Our Program Directors — Dr. Timothy Lotze (Child Neurology) and Dr. Sarah Risen (NDD) — along with our Associate Program Directors — Drs. Shukla and Davila-Williams (Child Neurology), Dr. Chao (BNS), and Drs. Fisher and Lazar (NDD) — are deeply committed to resident growth and wellbeing. They are responsive, accessible, and always looking for ways to evolve the program based on our feedback.
Although the interview process remains virtual, we hope this website helps you get a sense of who we are and what life is like here. There’s no true substitute for walking the halls and sharing meals with us — but please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, whether you’re curious about research opportunities or the best tacos in town (we’ve got opinions).
Thanks for taking the time to get to know us. We can’t wait to meet you!
Warmly,
Brooke Evans, M.D., Maria Jose Gonzalez, M.D., and Rima El Atrache, M.B.B.S.
Chief Residents, 2025–2026
Baylor College of Medicine Child Neurology and NDD Programs
