This four-week rotation is designed for fourth-year medical students interested in applying for a neurosurgical residency. Students may choose a general assignment or focus on a subspecialty such as trauma, spine, vascular or tumors.

Participating students are expected to:

• Assume responsibility for selected new patients for initial neurological work-up and for daily evaluation and progress notes
• Attend the daily conferences and organized teaching sessions
• Assist in the operating room or view neurosurgical procedures as the circumstances indicate
• Attend rounds, conferences and outpatient clinics as assigned
• Spend time in the operating room, on the wards, in the clinic and at neurosurgical conferences
• Take call once a week with one weekend call

Course objectives:

• Perform a neurological evaluation
• Become familiar with neurosurgical investigative methods
• Develop an understanding of the breadth of neurosurgery
• Become familiar with neurological and neurosurgical disorders
• Gain competence in the performance of an adequate neurological examination

Students interested in neurology, critical care, trauma or general surgery may also benefit from this rotation.

This four-week rotation is designed for third-year medical students exploring careers in neurosurgery.

Participating students are expected to:

• Assume responsibility for selected new patients for initial neurological work-up and for daily evaluation and progress notes
• Attend the daily conferences and organized teaching sessions
• Assist in the operating room or view neurosurgical procedures as the circumstances indicate
• Take night call once a week (optional, but recommended)

Course objectives:

• Become familiar with neurological and neurosurgical disorders
• Gain competence in the performance of an adequate neurological examination
• Become familiar with neurosurgical investigative methods
• Attend rounds, conferences and outpatient clinics as assigned

Students who decide to pursue a career in neurosurgery are encouraged to also rotate through the neurosurgery acting internship.

This two-week rotation is designed for fourth-year medical students who desire specific exposure to neurosurgical topics.

Participating students are expected to:

• Spend time in the operating room, on the wards, in the clinic and at neurosurgical conferences
• Attend rounds, conferences and outpatient clinics as assigned
• Take night call once a week (optional, but recommended)

Course objectives:

• Perform a neurological evaluation
• Present neurosurgical patients
• Develop an understanding of the breadth of neurosurgery
• Gain exposure to multiple disciplines within neurosurgery

This introductory course is a one-week rotation designed for medical students considering a career in neurosurgery or an related specialty, such as neurology or orthopaedics.

Participating students are expected to:

• Attend morning report
• Shadow physicians
• Take call one night (optional, but recommended)
• Attend inpatient rounds, surgical cases, outpatient clinic and teaching conferences

Course objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the breadth of neurosurgery
• Perform a neurological evaluation

This four-week rotation is designed for fourth-year medical students pursuing a neurosurgical residency.

Participating students are expected to:

• Assume responsibility for selected new patients for initial neurological work-up and for daily evaluation and progress notes
• Attend morning “pre-rounds”
• Spend time in the operating room, on the wards, in the clinic and at neurosurgical conferences
• Assist in the operating room or view neurosurgical procedures as the circumstances indicate
• Take call six times, including two weekends
• Attend conferences and organized teaching sessions

Course objectives:

• Perform a neurological evaluation
• Become familiar with neurosurgical investigative methods
• Develop an understanding of the breadth of neurosurgery
• Become familiar with neurological and neurosurgical disorders
• Gain competence in the performance of an adequate neurological examination

Eligibility requirements:

• Fourth-year medical student enrolled and in good standing at an accredited U.S. allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) medical school
• Must have successfully passed USMLE Step 1
• Completed application via the VSLO program
• Current CV

Application timeline:

• Early March: Course catalog becomes available in VSLO
• Early April: Applications open for submission
• Mid-April: Departments begin accepting students

Due to resource limitations, visiting student rotations are restricted to students and graduates of U.S. medical schools. Accepted students will receive orientation and scheduling details before their rotation begins.