Program Overview

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Introduction to the Neurosurgery Program

The Neurosurgery program at the McGovern Medical School is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in neurosurgery. The program includes a variety of rotations, conferences, and lectures to give students a well-rounded understanding of the field.

Program Overview

The program is one month in duration and is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in neurosurgery. Students will be placed on four different services: Spine, Chief, Night Float, and Pediatric/Epilepsy/Functional. Each service will provide students with a unique perspective on neurosurgery and allow them to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Service Schedules

Spine Service

The Spine service provides students with the opportunity to be involved in a variety of degenerative and traumatic conditions of the spine. Students will be required to follow a minimum of two patients each day and will be expected to present to the attendings during rounds.

• Attendings: Michelle Johnson, Daniel Kim, Ryan Kitagawa, Karl Schmitt
• Clinical Responsibilities: Follow patients, present to attendings, assist with daily work
• Clinic: Dr. Johnson's clinic on Wednesday and Friday mornings
• Operating Room: Spend at least two days in the operating room
• Didactic Lectures: Attend all mandatory lectures

Chief Service

The Chief service allows students to spend time with senior faculty members and gain experience with vascular neurosurgery patients. Students will be required to follow a minimum of two patients each day and will be expected to present to the attendings during rounds.

• Attendings: Arthur Day, Mark Dannenbaum, Roc Chen
• Clinical Responsibilities: Follow patients, present to attendings, assist with daily work
• Clinic: Dr. Kim's clinic on Tuesday and Dr. Day's clinic on Wednesday
• Operating Room: Spend at least one day in the operating room and one day in the interventional radiology suite
• Didactic Lectures: Attend all mandatory lectures

Night Float Service

The Night Float service provides students with the opportunity to be involved in a variety of neurosurgical emergencies. Students will be required to assist with all evening consults and admissions, emergency procedures, and work.

• Clinical Responsibilities: Assist with evening consults and admissions, emergency procedures, and work
• Clinic: No clinic responsibilities
• Operating Room: Welcome to scrub into any cases that occur during shift
• Didactic Lectures: Attend all mandatory morning lectures on Tuesday and Thursday

Pediatric/Epilepsy/Functional Service

This service gives students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of services including pediatric, epilepsy, and functional neurosurgery. Students will be required to follow a minimum of two patients each day and will be expected to present to the attendings during rounds.

• Attendings: Albert Fenoy, Nitin Tandon, David Sandberg, Stephen Fletcher
• Clinical Responsibilities: Follow patients, present to attendings, assist with daily work
• Clinic: Dr. Tandon's clinic or Dr. Sandberg's/Dr. Fletcher's clinic
• Operating Room: Expected in the OR two days per week
• Didactic Lectures: Attend all mandatory lectures, including Epilepsy Conference on Friday and Tumor Board on Tuesday

Time Off and Absences

Any student requiring time off for interviews or other necessities will obtain approval from the course directors prior to the start of the rotation. Exceptions will be made for medical or family emergencies, but it is the responsibility of the student to notify the course directors and the residents on the appropriate service as soon as possible.

Grading/Check List

Grading will be based on attendance and clinical performance. All of the following elements MUST be completed to pass the course.

• Required Elements (75%):
  • Attend required conferences
  • Attend clinics
  • Attend all service responsibilities
  • Grand rounds presentation
• Evaluations (25%):
  • Course directors
  • Individual rotation attendings
  • Overall resident impression

Reading Assignments

• NSUR 3030/SURG 3001 Required Reading:
  • From Handbook of Neurosurgery , Mark S. Greenberg, Seventh Edition
  • Chapter 5, PP. 86-87, 89, 94, 96 – 97, 112-114 (Neuroanatomy and Physiology)
  • Chapter 12, PP. 279-292 (Coma and Brain Death)
  • Chapter 15, PP. 307-315, 321-331 (Hydrocephalus)
  • Chapter 18, PP. 442-447, 515 (Spine)
  • Chapter 21, PP. 585-587, 590-664 (Brain Tumors)
  • Chapter 27, PP. 850-915 (Head Trauma)
  • Chapter 30, PP. (Subarachnoid Hemorrhage)
  • Chapter 32, PP. (Intracerebral Hemorrhage)

Resources

• Books for Purchase (optional):
  • Neurosurgery Explained: A Basic and Essential Introduction
  • Essential Neurosurgery
  • Greenberg's Handbook of Neurosurgery
  • The Neurosurgeon's Handbook
• Other Online Sources of Information:
  • SANS Medical Student Curriculum
  • CNS Neuro Wiki – Brain & Tumor Pathology
  • SNS Bootcamp Powerpoint slides and Handbook for Interns