Curriculum

Our curriculum is divided into 5 clinical years and 2 independent study years. This allows for maximal flexibility for enfolded fellowships as well as meaningful basic science research or other academic pursuits. Independent study is carried out in PGY-4 and PGY-7. Typically, graduating chief residents are in the top 90th percentile for operative volume and exceed case minimums in all subspecialty operative categories.  

Yearly breakdown of resident assignments

1. Intern
2. Junior Resident
3. Junior Resident
4. Enfolded Fellowship/Independent Study
5. Senior Resident
6. Chief Resident
7. Enfolded Fellowship/Independent Study

Curriculum Design

PGY-1

• Neurocritical Care - 6 months
• Neurotrauma - 6 months

PGY-2

• Tumor Service - 2 months
• Vascular Service - 2 months
• Spine Service - 2 months
• Functional Service - 2 months
• Pediatrics Service - 2 months
• Clinical Elective - 2 months

PGY-3

• Pediatrics Service - 2 months
• Spine Service - 2 months
• Tumor Service - 2 months
• Functional Service -2 months
• Vascular Service - 2 months
• Clinical Elective - 2 months

PGY-4

• Research or Enfolded Fellowship - 12 months

PGY-5

• Tumor Service - 2 months
• Spine Service - 2 months
• Pediatrics Service - 2 months
• Functional Service - 2 months
• Vascular Service - 2 months
• Clinical Elective - 2 months

PGY-6

• Chief of Service - 6 months
• Chief of Service - 6 months

PGY-7

• Post Chief Fellowship and/or Transition to Practice - 12 months

Didactic Schedule

Didactics are a prioritized feature of our residency program. Every Wednesday morning and all day Friday are reserved for resident didactic presentation. This includes grand rounds, case conference, M&M, and working conferences such as tumor board and movement disorder conference. We also reserve time for resident focused working conferences such as research update, quality improvement project update, and board review/prep.

Didactic courses

Monthly Conferences

• M & M Conference (General Population)
• Vascular Conference (General Population)
• Oral Boards Conference (General Population)

Weekly Conferences

• Grand Rounds (General Population)
• Case Conference (General Population)
• Journal Club (General Population)
• Tumor Board (Rotation Population)
• NCCU (Rotation Population)
• Movement Disorders (Rotation Population)
• Epilepsy (Rotation Population)
• Pediatric Neurosurgery (Rotation Population)
• Spine (Rotation Population)

Quarterly Conferences

• Resident QI Project (General Population)
• Research Update (General Population)

Enfolded fellowships

Residents are encouraged to consider enfolded fellowship options during their time. Currently, we offer 3 CAST-approved fellowships: neurocritical care, endovascular neurosurgery, and stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. For details about these programs, please visit the dedicated fellowship program overviews.