Neurosurgery Residency

PGY-2 residents develop greater proficiency in the neurologic history and examination. They receive training in neurosurgical instrumentation and technology, including headrests, retractor systems, stereotactic frames, surgical microscopes, and frameless stereotaxy. Residents function as surgical assistants and develop fundamental operative skills, including wound opening and closure, burr-hole creation, and placement of intracranial pressure monitoring devices. Residents also begin a formal research rotation.

PGY-3 residents expand their neurosurgical knowledge through broader and more advanced reading. Case management discussions become increasingly detailed and are expected to demonstrate greater clinical depth. Residents continue to function as first assistants while performing more surgical procedures under supervision, including opening and exposing pathology, assisting with its removal, and closing cranial and spinal cases. They also develop greater familiarity with outpatient management. Residents complete an annual research paper that is more substantive than a case report.

PGY-4 residents broaden their reading beyond standard references and assume greater responsibility for the education and supervision of medical students on elective rotations. They take an increased role in outpatient and office-based patient management, including evaluating new patients and discussing diagnostic and treatment options. In the operating room, residents perform an increasing number of surgical procedures under supervision, with the attending serving as first assistant during resident-performed portions of the operation. Advanced neurosurgical operative skills are expected. The annual research project must demonstrate greater sophistication and be submitted for publication.

PGY-5 residents continue to expand their clinical and surgical knowledge while assuming increased responsibility for the education of junior residents. They complete and publish research projects, with an expectation of producing substantive peer-reviewed manuscripts. Residents continue to develop surgical independence and clinical leadership skills and assume greater responsibility for inpatient care of both pediatric and adult patients. They demonstrate consistent expertise in the neurologic management of a broad range of conditions.

The PGY-6 year is the Chief Resident year. Residents continue to expand their clinical and surgical knowledge while assuming increased responsibility for junior resident education and management of the neurosurgical service. They complete and publish research projects, with an expectation of producing substantive peer-reviewed manuscripts. They continue to develop surgical independence and clinical leadership while managing inpatient care of both pediatric and adult patients. Residents demonstrate consistent expertise in the neurologic management of a broad range of conditions and coordinate junior resident activities, including academic programs, call schedules, and vacation schedules.

PGY-7 residents spend 12 months in Neurosurgery, which may include elective rotations. They assume a leadership role in the management of the neurosurgical service and are expected to lead junior resident education, coordinate academic programs, call and vacation schedules, and participate in administrative activities. Residents prepare and present cases for Case Management Conference and complete and publish substantive peer-reviewed research. They demonstrate progressive advancement of clinical and technical skills culminating in completion of residency training. Residents take an increased role in outpatient and office-based activities and demonstrate consistent expertise across all areas of neurosurgical management. They lead junior resident teams and are eligible for out rotations in subspecialty areas.