Neurosurgery
Chairperson:
Gary K. Steinberg, MD, PhD
Department web site:
http://med.stanford.edu/neurosurgery/
Faculty of Neurosurgery:
http://med.stanford.edu/neurosurgery/about
The Department of Neurosurgery does not offer degrees; however, it does offer classes that are open to undergraduates, medical students, and other graduate students. The department also accepts graduate students as advisees for study and research. Undergraduate students may arrange individual research projects under the supervision of department faculty.
INSTRUCTION FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
Preclinical Instruction consists of individual faculty members lecturing in basic science courses in the medical school such as Neurobiology. Directed reading and research opportunities are available under the direction of individual faculty members.
Clinical Instruction provides students with an overview of clinical neurosurgery. Applying knowledge gained in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurobiology to clinical problems is emphasized. Instruction focuses on clinical case management but reviews recent developments in applied technology and laboratory research.
RESIDENCY TRAINING
Residency in the Neurosurgery Training Program (NTP) emphasizes clinical experience and a deep academic and research commitment for seven years.. (The PGY1 year is dedicated to neurosurgery, neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology and relevant rotations, four years are in clinical neurosurgery, and two years are dedicated to a research project.)
The training program provides graded surgical responsibility commensurate with the resident's experience. By the end of the training program the resident should be well-versed in the theoretical aspects of neurosurgery, be a technically proficient neurosurgeon, be fully trained in the bedside care of neurosurgical patients, and be prepared to assume a leadership role in academic neurosurgery.
The training program encompasses all neurosurgery performed at Stanford University Medical Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Full-time faculty direct the training program at each hospital. Over 2,500 neurosurgical operations representing the full spectrum of neurosurgical problems, are performed yearly. . Three applicants are admitted per year. A PGY-1 position at Stanford University Medical Center is reserved for each admitted applicant.
POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
Opportunities for postdoctoral training in neurosurgery are available. For information, refer to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs home page at http://postdocs.stanford.edu/ or the departmental home page.
