The training of future academic neurosurgeons is a core mission of Penn Neurosurgery. Accordingly, at the completion of the program residents are expected to be outstanding clinicians, active investigators, and experienced educators. To achieve these goals, substantial responsibility is accorded to the residents as appropriate for their degree of experience.
The Department of Neurosurgery performs more than 6,000 operations each year in a wide variety of subspecialties throughout the affiliated hospitals of Penn Medicine. The clinical faculty has a significant expertise in all aspects of neurological surgery. Given the enormous volume and intensity of exposure, the department offers a multidisciplinary approach to the realm of neurosurgical problems.
Recently, the clinical activities of the department have been re-configured into 4 new Clinical Divisions:
- Neuro-oncology
- Intra- and Extra-axial brain tumors, skull base surgery
- Cerebrovascular and Neurointerventional
- Spine and Peripheral Nerve
- Stereotactic and Functional
- Movement Disorders and Epilepsy
Mirroring this clinical reorganization, there is a new emphasis on subspeciality training for residents to produce neurosurgeons with focused clinical and academic expertise who will become the next generation of leaders in their respective areas.
Research is integral to the departmental mission. Areas of research strength in the department include the renowned Center for Brain Injury and Repair, human neurophysiology, neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular clinical trials, gene and cell-based therapy, and interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders. The department ranks nationally in the top 10 in NIH funding, and our research programs are growing rapidly.
Residents participate in the full process of research including grant preparation, accumulation of data, presentation and publication. An involved, active mentoring process is conducted throughout the research rotation.
Residents are also involved in the educational mission of the department, including direct instruction with medical students, the medical school curriculum, participation in all teaching conferences and, as chief resident, supervising the junior residents.
Please contact the residency coordinator, Susan Small, at susan.small@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with any questions regarding our program.
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