Curriculum | Neurosurgery Residency

Our comprehensive curriculum structure offers foundational training in neurosurgery as well as exposure to subspecialty interests. Our residents graduate having ample experience with both "bread and butter" procedures as well as complex cases, a strength of the Neurosurgery Residency Program at the University of Maryland.

Rotation Sites

• University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): This is our home base where residents establish a foundation in neurosurgery, experience academic growth and develop expertise.
• University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center (STC): This integrated hospital within UMMC offers trainees a unique experience in trauma. Shock Trauma is the premier trauma center in Maryland and is lauded as a national model for excellence.
• Baltimore VA Medical Center: Residents rotate through the Baltimore VA gaining valuable training. Chief residents learn to book, treat and follow their own neurosurgical patients.
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC): A rotation at GBMC allows our trainees to be the only resident on a busy private practice neurosurgery service affording them valuable insight and one-on-one training.
• Johns Hopkins Hospital: Through our partnership with John Hopkins, our residents contribute to a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgery service, fostering collaboration.

See an overview of the Neurosurgery rotation schedule.

PGY-7: APEX Year

The Academic Pathway to Excellence (APEX) Year encourages resident innovation in the field of neurosurgery. This experience emphasizes the development of translatable knowledge and skills for independent practice, poising graduates for accomplishment beyond residency. Each APEX Year proposal is unique, tailored to the interests of each resident.

First, residents choose a pathway for innovation: Clinical Operations, Academics & Education, or Research & Discovery. Residents then work with a faculty mentor to design and implement a proposal within the selected pathway. Plans focus on an novel project or product and can include a CAST fellowship (Spine, CNS-Endovascular) or an advanced degree (MBA, MPH, other).

Call

Residents enjoy a manageable call system that minimizes redundancy. PGY-1s cover weekend days every other weekend, with two golden weekends a month. PGY-2s cover weekend nights every other weekend, with two golden weekends a month. PGY-3s cover night float during the week and approximately one weekend of day trauma neurosurgery a month. PGY-4s cover less than one weekend of day trauma neurosurgery a month. PGY-5s and PGY-6s share chief call, each covering every fourth day and one weekend a month. PGY-7 is free of call.

Mentorship

Starting as a PGY-1, residents identify a key mentor among the neurosurgery faculty. PGY-1s are encouraged to work with their mentor to complete an academic product of the residents’ choice. Any research accepted for an oral presentation at a national meeting will have full support for travel and other expenses. As resident interests evolve, mentors can be changed. Residents are supported throughout their training to engage in scholarly activity with their mentors. Mentor-mentee relationships are valued by residents and faculty alike. These relationships are significant to practice, career and personal advancement.

Conferences and Enrichment

Didactic teaching is carried out in a wide variety of weekly conferences for neurosurgery residents, faculty and medical students. They focus on a broad range of neurosurgical topics, as well as topics from other disciplines, promoting interdepartmental collaboration among providers.

• Learn more about our conference and enrichment opportunities.