Clinical Training
The residency training program in Neurological Surgery at Northwestern offers educational and didactic opportunities in both informal and formal settings. The clinic, the operating room and our research laboratories provide rich environments in which physicians and scientists exchange ideas about patient care and develop the latest and most innovative therapies.
A formal weekly lecture series covers a number of important topics in preparation for the written and oral boards. These focus on neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuroanatomy, neurology, and neurosurgery. Whenever possible, clinical case vignettes are used in combination with basic science to enhance and deepen the understanding of a given subject.
The residents are exposed to a breadth of clinical material, including lecture series focusing on neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular disease, spinal disorders, pediatric neurosurgery, functional/epilepsy neurosurgery, and disorders of the peripheral nerves. We are developing a lecture series dedicated to building a research enterprise, the socioeconomic of neurosurgery, and global health in neurosurgery. These didactic experiences are further supplemented by frequent case review sessions with faculty and several multi-disciplinary weekly conferences, including:
- Neurosurgery Grand Rounds
- Neuro-Oncology/Tumor Board
- Cerebrovascular Conference
- Spine Conference
- Epilepsy Conference
Additional monthly departmental conferences include the Morbidity and Mortality Conference and a Journal Club. In addition, all of the residents participate in a hospital-sponsored Patient Safety and Medical Ethics Conference.
Some of our featured surgical cases are below: