Graduate Medical Education (GME): Neurological Surgery Residency

Residency Program Director: John D. Heiss, M.D.

Overview
The Surgical Neurology Branch of the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers and innovative 7-year, ACGME-accredited Neurological Surgery Residency Training Program in collaboration with Georgetown University.

The primary goal and objective of the neurological surgery residency program is to be a model for training outstanding clinical neurosurgeons with unparalleled experience and expertise in laboratory and clinical research, equipping them to become academic leaders in neurosurgery. Based on a research curriculum, the program is designed to provide its trainees with a systematic learning experience that provides them with neurosurgical and research knowledge and skills and prepares them to be outstanding clinicians and independent researchers upon graduation.

Program Structure

Year July to December January to June
PGY-1 General Neurosurgery and
Neurotrauma
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (6 months)

Neurotrauma - MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2 months)


Neurosurgery - National Institutes of Health (1 month)


Neurology- National Institutes of Health (1 month)

Neuro-Pathology - National Institutes of Health (1 month)

Neuro-Oncology - National Institutes of Health (1 month)

PGY-2 Spine Rotation- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (3 months)
Vascular Rotation - MedStar Washington Hospital Center (3 months)
Spine Rotation - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (3 months)
Vascular Rotation - MedStar Washington Hospital Center (3 months)
PGY-3 Pediatric Neurosurgery Rotation- Children's National Medical Center (4 months)
Spine Rotation- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2 months)
Spine Rotation - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2 months)
Cranial Rotation - National Institutes of Health (4 months)
PGY-4 Research Rotation- National Institutes of Health (80% Research Time; 20% Clinical Time) Research Rotation- National Institutes of Health (80% Research Time; 20% Clinical Time)
PGY-5 Research Rotation- National Institutes of Health (80% Research Time; 20% Clinical Time) Research Rotation- National Institutes of Health (80% Research Time; 20% Clinical Time)
PGY-6 Senior Clinical Rotation- National Institutes of Health (10% Research Time; 90% Clinical Time) Senior Clinical Rotation- National Institutes of Health (10% Research Time; 90%Clinical Time)
PGY-7 Chief Resident - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (6 months) Chief Resident - MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (2 months)
Chief Resident - MedStar Washington Hospital Center (4 months)

Additional Information
For more information about the Neurological Surgery Residency Program, please visit the Surgical Neurology Branch webpage.

Application Information
Applications should be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) by November 30th for appointments beginning the following July. One position is open for appointment each year. The department specifically selects residents with demonstrated interest in and aptitude for careers in academic neurosurgery. After review of completed applications, qualified candidates will be invited to meet our staff and residents.

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This page last updated on 11/04/2022

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