Neurosurgery

The Neurosurgery Residency training aims to provide the highest quality of clinical and academic training for future Neurosurgeons. Our program derives strength from the burgeoning need for neurosurgical services by the underserved population of a large metropolitan area.

The Division of Neurosurgery currently is staffed by three Board Certified (ABNS) Faculty members who are well experienced in management of various aspects of adult and pediatric Neurosurgery including Trauma, Oncology, Vascular, Spine (Trauma, Degenerative and complex spinal disorders), and peripheral nerve disorders. All the faculty members are affiliated with major Universities and thus residents are able to participate in teaching programs offered by respective Neurosurgery programs as well.

Stroger Hospital has a 10-bed Neurosurgery ICU that provides residents opportunity to learn Neuro-Critical Care such as ICP monitoring, ventilation management and management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Furthermore, as the breadth of neurosurgical science continues to grow, even more education, knowledge, and judgment must be imparted in a compacted time frame. Therefore, we have taken measures to move our training program away from the classic service structure to a more truly academic one. By utilizing Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to perform routine tasks and service functions, our residents have more time for academic pursuits, clinic participation and the operating room.

Our Intervention Radiology Department performs various neuro endovascular procedures including but not limited to: management of Aneurysms, AVM, embolization of complex skull base tumors, and spine augmentation procedures. The hospital facilities provide well-equipped OR, with Stealth Navigation system, Zeiss Operating Microscope and PACS units.

As an intermediate level clinical resident, responsibility for developing and implementing the treatment plan is realized. Exposure to more intensive super-specialization is offered to help residents appreciate and assimilate the nuances of tighter focus and the advantages of higher technology. At the chief level, the cumulative experience of the previous years is expressed in a mature paradigm of neurosurgical independence within a faculty support system. At this point, the trainee should be adequately prepared to function at the highest level of general neurosurgical care. Options for specialization through additional fellowship training can be exercised. The training program is fully committed to training future academic and clinical neurosurgeons to continue and advance the field of Neurosurgery.