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The training program intends to prepare physicians for a career in academic neurosurgery so that these individuals can compete successfully for faculty positions at prestigious institutions and continue in that career track. This requires that residents become both skilled clinicians and accomplished investigators. Neurosurgical training at Penn is six years in duration following a year of surgical internship. Two residents have been accepted each year until June 2005, when the Neurosurgery Residency Review Committee approved an increase in complement with an additional resident every other year (2-3-2-3-2). Clinical training has consisted of rotations at three sites: HUP, PAH and CHOP. The Department anticipates performing over 4,000 major operations at its training sites this year.

The time dedicated to research efforts is as closely mentored as clinical training. During this research time, clinical activities are minimized to enable the resident to devote full attention to carrying out the investigations as well as preparing manuscripts for submission to refereed journals. Approximately one year prior to beginning the research time, residents are expected to identify a mentor and submit grant applications developed with the mentor. This process provides the backbone for conducting the research as well as providing invaluable experience for the resident in grant applications. To this end, in the past five years, all trainees have received funding from various sources, including federal and foundation sources.

At the completion of residency, some trainees may opt for further training in a subspecialty area of neurosurgery. Penn Neurosurgery has not offered significant numbers of positions for such training as the focus has been on providing the highest quality of surgical experience for the residents. Further, the breadth of clinical experience offered at Penn has obviated the need for the majority of residents to pursue additional training with the exception of pediatric neurosurgery and endovascular neurosurgery. However, several individuals from other institutions have participated post-residency clinical training at Penn, including fellows in functional neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgery.

 

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