PGY7 Curriculum
PGY-VII: NS-6 Chief Resident at SUMC and LPCH
This final year as Chief resident in Neurosurgery is spent primarily at SUMC and LPCH. Three Chief Residents cooperatively lead the entire resident team and manage the neurosurgical service at SUMC and LPCH. Although the three Chief Residents alternate Chief call throughout the year, primary responsibility for the clinical service and for administrative duties is alternated throughout the year. The chief residents lead daily patient rounds in the ICU and on the ward. The Chief Residents are responsible for ensuring that all in-patient and emergency room consultations are evaluated initially and presented to a staff physician. Under direct faculty supervision, the Chief Residents perform the vast majority of the difficult operative procedures carried out at SUMC. Challenging cases are sufficiently numerous to provide intensive surgical and peri-operative management experience to both Chief Residents. At the Chief Residents' discretion, less challenging cases are assigned to the senior and junior residents at SUMC or LPCH. The Chief Residents also assist in organizing weekly Neurosurgery Grand Rounds and monthly Morbidity and Mortality Conference.
During this year, the resident becomes proficient in independently managing an inpatient and outpatient neurosurgical service, including supervision of the neurosurgical housestaff, rotating interns and medical students. The resident further hones comprehensive neurosurgical operative skills, including microscopic surgery for difficult aneurysms, vascular malformation, tumors, epilepsy and pituitary lesions; carotid endarterectomies and vascular reconstructive procedures, including EC-IC bypass; complex spinal reconstruction; and pediatric neurosurgical procedures. The resident should be able to supervise and teach junior residents and interns, both in the operating room and on the wards. The resident continues to pursue basic or clinical research and to refine academic skills. At the conclusion of the PGY-VII year the neurosurgical resident should be fully qualified to join the neurosurgical faculty at an academic institution or an active private practice group.