Neurosurgery Residency

The PGY1 resident begins on the Neurological Surgery service, where he or she will experience SIU Neurosurgery first-hand.  During this first month, the resident will be expected to attend the Society of Neurological Surgeons Fundamental Skills Boot Camp.  Throughout this year, the resident will also attend courses in the SIU Surgical Skills Laboratory as part of the SIU Department of Surgery.  All PGY1 residents in the SIU Department of Surgery will be evaluated for the acquisition of cross-specialty surgical skills through a verification of proficiency (VOP) program.  These were developed at SIU for General Surgery and have been incorporated into Phase I of the ACS/APDS curriculum.  Residents must complete the VOP’s with a passing performance by faculty before serving as the operating surgeon of the associated case in the OR.  The PGY1 resident will return to the Neurological Surgery service in the months of September and November.

During the months of August, October, and December, the PGY1 resident will rotate on the Neurology service at both hospitals, fulfilling the educational requirements related to this specialty.  

The PGY1 resident will rotate for one month on the Trauma service.  The resident will experience learning in adult trauma and general surgery as well as pediatric trauma.  

For the remainder of the PGY1 year, the resident will build general skills rotating on services such as Otolaryngology, Neuroradiology, Plastic Surgery, Anesthesia, and Orthopedics.  

The PGY2 resident will spend three months rotating on the Neurocritical Care Service at both hospitals.  The PGY2 resident will learn basic and advanced skills related to the care of critically ill patients with neurological disorders.  Skills learned in the Boot Camp simulation labs will be used under the supervision of neurological surgery and neurocritical care faculty.

The PGY2 resident will spend the next nine months of the year as a junior resident on the Neurological Surgery Service at both hospitals, participating in pre-operative and post-operative care and in the operating room during neurological surgery procedures.  While on the Neurological Surgery service, residents will also be assigned to participate in an outpatient clinic for one-half day per week either at SIU Neurosurgery Clinic or the Springfield Clinic Neurosurgery Clinic  

PGY3-5 residents will spend their year on the Neurological Surgery service as intermediate and senior level residents at both hospitals, participating in pre-operative and post-operative care and in the operating room during neurological surgery procedures.  Residents will also be assigned to participate in an outpatient clinic for one half-day per week either at SIU Neurosurgery Clinic or the Springfield Clinic Neurosurgery Clinic.

The PGY6 resident will spend the year devoted to a focused elective approved by both the ACGME and ABNS.  Plans for this elective should be approved by the beginning of the PGY5 year. 

The PGY7 resident is the Chief Resident in Neurological Surgery at SIU at both hospitals, participating in pre-operative and post-operative care and in the operating room during neurological surgery procedures.  This year is devoted to learning neurological surgery skills at the senior level as well as teaching the more junior residents.  The Chief Resident will also be assigned to participate in an outpatient clinic for one half-day per week either at SIU Neurosurgery Clinic or the Springfield Clinic Neurosurgery Clinic.

Consistent with its history and mission, there is a strong tradition of and opportunity for educational research within the Department of Surgery at SIU School of Medicine.  All residents are required to undertake a Quality Improvement Project at the PGY1 and 2 level.  Residents have opportunities to collaborate with faculty as well as educational, translational, and basic scientists throughout the School of Medicine to further their research efforts. Current Research