Residency Program

Spinal Indications Conference

Monday & Wednesday morning, 6:30 AM

Each Monday, residents present lumbar fusion surgeries being performed by our department for the week, and spine faculty facilitate a discussion regarding the rationale and technical nuances for each surgery. On Wednesdays, residents present 6-month follow-up on how post-operative patients are faring and discuss their clinical outcomes.

Epilepsy Conference

Monday morning, 8:30 AM

The evaluation of patients with intractable epilepsy involves a multi-disciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and neuropsychologists. PGY-4 residents rotating on the functional service attend this weekly conference to evaluate patients that have recently been seen in clinic, whose work-up has revealed that they may benefit from surgical intervention, and participate in the discussion of what therapies can be offered to them.

Spine Case Conference

Tuesday morning, 6:30 AM

On Tuesday mornings the spine fellows present to the residents interesting case of the week.

Spine Journal Club

Wednesday mornings

Residents present pertinent articles from the literature to foster discussion and learning.

Tumor Conference

Wednesday afternoon, 4:00 PM

Each week, Dr. Farrell leads a case-based discussion of patients with newly-diagnosed brain tumors. Residents are encouraged to critically analyze relevant imaging findings, discuss the various surgical approaches, and review salient surgical neuroanatomy.

Stroke Conference

Wednesday morning, 6:30 AM

A multi-disciplinary stroke conference is held every Wednesday morning, where our stroke neurologists and vascular neurosurgeons discuss interesting cases and emerging therapies for treating a wide-range of pathology.

Oral Board Review Case Conference

Thursday morning, 6:30 AM

Each Thursday, the Chief residents of each service (tumor, vascular and spine) present a unique case and facilitate a discussion that mimics the format used for the ABNS oral boards examination. A particular emphasis is placed on residents explaining their decision-making rationale, and discuss the relative merits and limitations of different surgical options.

Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) Conference

Last Thursday of each month, 6:30 AM

Once a month, Chief residents present cases at our morbidity & mortality conference. Residents and faculty discuss outcomes and complications incurred, and discuss relevant teaching points that serve to help improve patient care.

Grand Rounds

Every Friday morning, 7:00 AM

The Department of Neurological Surgery hosts grand rounds every Friday morning, where invited speakers are asked to give a talk on their areas of expertise.

ABNS Written Boards Review

Every Wednesday afternoon, 2-4 PM

The PGY-5 residents organize and present weekly didactic session focused on review for the ABNS written boards, which residents sit for each March. High-yield topics across the breadth of neurosurgery are discussed, with a particular emphasis placed on neuroanatomy. One session per month is dedicated towards cadaver lab session teaching under the tutelage of one of our faculty.