As a resident of the Neurosurgery training program, you’ll spend seven years training alongside our world renowned surgeons and researchers. Our innovative training program begins with a one-year focused internship, four clinical training years (this includes neurology, neuropathology, pediatric neurosurgery, endovascular neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and radiosurgery rotations), one year of protected research and a dedicated chief year with a transition to subspecialty and/or funded neurosurgery research. We want all of our residents to have the flexibility of tailoring the program to their needs and academic careers, while empowering them to become future leaders in neurosurgery.
Residency Training Sites
Ranked No. 9 for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report, The Mount Sinai Hospital has the largest volume of neurological surgeries in New York City. We offer multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches, including services boards and conferences and intense collaboration. We are known for embracing new technologies for diagnostics, surgical planning, patient education, and improving outcomes. Our services encompass:
- Brain and Skull Base Surgery: Historically recognized for surgical and innovative care in benign and malignant brain, skull, and cranial tumors, we are pioneers in the use of endoscopic, three-dimensional (3D) simulation, virtual and augmented reality for pre-surgical planning and use in the operating room.
- Stroke and Cerebrovascular Services: The busiest cerebrovascular service in New York City, we are internationally recognized for clinical research as well as for cerebrovascular emergencies, including stroke, complex brain aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. We have specialized centers of excellent within each service.
- Pediatric Surgery: Our team operates on the most complex pediatric brain tumors and congenital neurosurgical disorders.
- Spine Disorders Surgery: We are highly skilled in performing minimally invasive surgical approaches for back and neck pain and tumors. Our team also specializes in complex deformity and revisional spinal surgery.
- Neurocritical Care: Our dedicated neurosurgical intensive care unit lets us help you transition from complex neurosurgeries and life-threatening emergencies to meaningful recovery.
The skilled and experienced neurosurgery team at Mount Sinai West has been ranked among the top hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. We are particularly skilled with epilepsy surgery, cerebrovascular services, essential tremor, Parkinson’s Disease, psychiatric disorders, and general brain and spine procedures.
We have extensive experience performing Chiari malformation procedures, cerebrospinal diversions, intracranial hemorrhage evacuation, intrathecal pumps (for pain and spasticity), spinal cord and vagal nerve stimulation, cervical and lumbar disc replacement procedures, minimally invasive spine surgeries, and microdiscectomies, spinal fusions, and radiosurgery.
Epilepsy
Our state-of-the-art technology includes the ROSA™ robotic surgical assistive device used for accurately mapping the source of epileptic seizures, and for surgical removal of the tissue causing the seizure. We use the MONTERIS Neuroblate™ system to perform minimally invasive laser treatment of epilepsy foci, which helps us reach difficult-to-access areas of the brain through a 2 mm burr hole. In addition, we have a dedicated neurosurgical intensive care unit at the hospital. Learn more.
Neuromodulation
We are one of the busiest neuromodulation centers in the United States, treating movement and psychiatric disorders and pioneering treatments and new deep brain stimulation technologies. Patients come to us for neuromodulation services from all over the world.
Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease
Our state-of-the art facility offers the latest in neurosurgical care including lifesaving medications and new procedures to treat patients with movement disorders. One of our newest technologies, MR guided Focused Ultrasound, often provides immediate relief to for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease patients. Learn more.
Cerebrovascular Disorders
The cerebrovascular group runs a robust outpatient elective and emergency endovascular and open vascular practice at MSW. The intracerebral hemorrhage program is one of a kind as a center of excellence in the development of novel minimally invasive procedures for hematoma evacuation and clinical and translational research.
The Department of Neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst serves the most diverse patient population in the country and offers comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for the complete range of neurosurgical diseases. It is one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation and is one of the busiest trauma centers in New York City. Our neurosurgeons have particular expertise in managing traumatic brain and spine injuries, neurocritical care, brain tumors, and degenerative spine diseases. We provide care for the residents of Queens regardless of immigration status, insurance status, or ability to pay.
PGY-1 Intern
The first year of our Neurosurgery Residency program is an intern year composed of three months of research elective, six months of clinical neurosurgery and neurotrauma at Elmhurst Medical Center, and three months in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit.
PGY-2 Junior Resident
During the second year of residency, junior residents complete a twelve-month rotation at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Other than weekends, they have limited call responsibilities.
PGY-3 Junior Resident
During the third year of residency, junior residents continue another twelve-month rotation at The Mount Sinai Hospital with limited call responsibilities.
PGY-4 Enrichment Elective
The fourth year is designed to be an enrichment year focusing on academic research versus clinical experience. During this year residents time is protected and they are offered the flexibility to choose how to spend this year.
PGY-5 Chief Resident Elective
The fifth year of residency is a chief resident elective rotation based at Mount Sinai West. During this time they spend twelve months exposed to in training in epilepsy, endovascular surgery, pediatrics, and radiosurgery depending on what they choose.
PGY-6 Senior Resident / Chief Resident
The sixth year of residency is split into two rotations. They will spend six months as a senior resident at The Mount Sinai Hospital and six months as chief resident at Elmhurst Hospital Center.
PGY-7 Chief Resident
The final year as chief resident is spent at The Mount Sinai Hospital and includes six months transition to practice and/or a research fellowship elective. This offers the chiefs time to prepare themselves for leaving residency and entering the next phase of their career whether moving on to a specialty fellowship or to practice after their graduation.