UTSW Neurosurgery Residency Overview

The Neurological Surgery Residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas is seven years in length including one introductory year consisting of general surgery, neurosurgery and neurocritical care at our institution.  Two to three residents are appointed each year to enter the training program.

The initial two years of neurosurgery (PGY-2 and PGY-3) are devoted to mastering patient and critical care skills. Basic operative approaches, patient selection and surgical skills are also emphasized.  Rotations for the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years are primarily at Parkland Memorial Hospital and the Zale Lipshy University Hospital. The third year also includes time for the micro-dissection laboratory with participation as an instructor in our cerebral aneurysm course at the annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons meeting. Development of a basic science research project also takes place.

For those residents who are considering a career in academic neurosurgery or in a subspecialty practice setting, the PGY-4 year should be devoted to implementing laboratory or clinical research plans developed in the third year. For those planning to become general neurosurgeons this year may be spent on various clinical rotations including the spine service, the tumor service and at the Children's hospital. When sufficient competence is demonstrated, PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents rotate at the Veteran's Hospital where higher levels of autonomy and decision-making are developed.

The final two years (PGY-6 and PGY-7) are spent in chief resident rotations at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Zale Lipshy University Hospital, and on senior resident rotations or mini-fellowships in various subspecialty areas. To a degree these years are tailored to the individual resident's educational needs to fulfill both board requirements and ultimate career goals. Trauma and critical care, complex spine, skull base surgery and functional neurosurgery are among the options for mini-fellowship experiences. Residents with an interest in cerebrovascular surgery may elect for an intensive experience in micro-neurosurgery or may have access to an introductory experience in endovascular surgery.

During these final two years some time is spent as the Chief Resident at Parkland and on the cerebrovascular service at Zale Lipshy. These rotations allow development of teaching and leadership skills and include training on how to organize an academic or private neurosurgery practice. Basic surgical skills are expected to be in place prior to these rotations so that the focus can be on surgical nuances. Throughout training, residents will be aided by neurosurgical clinicians at Parkland Hospital, Zale Lipshy University Hospital, Children’s Hospital and the VA.

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Last Updated April 23, 2013