Department of Neurosurgery

Curriculum

Brown’s neurosurgery residency blends intensive clinical practice with conferences, lectures, and specialized learning, ensuring comprehensive preparation for future leaders in the field.

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Curriculum

Brown’s neurosurgery residency blends intensive clinical practice with conferences, lectures, and specialized learning, ensuring comprehensive preparation for future leaders in the field.

PGY-1

The PGY-1 year consists of rotations in General Surgery that include Trauma Intensive Care and Vascular Surgery. The resident will spend the rest of the year in the NCCU, Neurosurgery, and neuroscience elective rotations. Together these rotation experiences form the foundation for the next several years of the resident’s education.

At the end of the PGY-1 year, the resident will attend the SNS (Society of Neurological Surgeons) Junior Resident Skills Course in New York.

PGY-2

At this level, the resident is exposed to clinical neurosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital. During this year, the resident learns the principles of patient care and initial skills in clinical operative neurosurgery. Principles and procedures of neurointensive care are also mastered.

PGY-3

The resident is on the neurosurgery clinical service this year. At this level, they will begin to supervise others in providing patient care. They will develop the ability to independently evaluate and treat neurosurgical emergencies, as well as perform a variety of procedures under the appropriate supervision.

The PGY 3 resident attends the RUNN (Research Update in Neuroscience for Neurosurgeons) course at Woods Hole Neuroscience for Neurosurgeons.

PGY-4

This year consists of a four-month rotation in interventional neuroradiology, as well as other subspecialty rotations of the resident’s choosing. Examples of subspecialty rotations include:

  • Neuropathology: a rotation during which the resident is responsible for examining intraoperative surgical frozen sections, participating in brain cuttings, autopsies and daily sign-out of neuropathology cases.

  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery: a rotation during which the resident learns the principles of stereotactic radiosurgery and, under supervision, performs therapeutic procedures.

  • Interventional Neuroradiology: a rotation completed under the supervision of the interventional radiologists. The fundamentals of patient history, examination and work-up for interventional procedures are taught in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.

  • Peripheral Nerve: Resident spend a month with the Plastics team learning the basis of peripheral nerve surgery, including transpositions, biopsies, and reconstruction methods.

The PGY-4 resident attends the Washington Neuroradiology and Neuropathology Review Course in Washington, D.C.

PGY-5

In this year, the resident pursues their research interests. It is expected that most residents will develop solid clinical or laboratory research skills at either The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University or Rhode Island Hospital. Residents in year 5 are encouraged to attend the Chicago Review Course in Neurological Surgery™. Residents are expected to pass the ABNS (American Board of Neurological Surgeons) written exam for credit in this year. Residents have the option to complete the CAST approved in-folded endovascular fellowship during this year.

PGY-6

This resident has increased clinical responsibility and increased operating room opportunity. The PGY-6 mentors and teaches outpatient management in the clinics, as well as surgical and inpatient management to the junior residents and medical students. The PGY-6 splits home call with the Chief resident.

The PGY-6 resident attends the CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons) Annual Meeting.

PGY-7

The final year of residency marks the transition from mentored resident to independent neurosurgeon. At this time, resident assumes independent operative responsibility, under faculty supervision, along with administrative responsibility. The chief resident supervises the entire inpatient neurosurgical care program at Rhode Island Hospital.

It is expected that by the end of this year, the resident will have developed into a clear-thinking, mature neurosurgeon who has an inquisitive mind, excellent clinical skills, and is capable of handling most, if not all, adult and childhood neurological surgery in a competent and compassionate manner.

The PGY-7 resident attends the AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons) Annual Meeting.