McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

Program Identity & Fit

Northwestern's neurosurgery residency is a top-tier academic program anchored at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with pediatric exposure at Lurie Children's Hospital and community exposure at Central DuPage Hospital, drawing complex referral and tertiary/quaternary cases in neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular surgery, spine, pediatrics, and functional/epilepsy/peripheral nerve surgery that rank nationally. Research is deeply embedded in the department's identity, evidenced by top-three NIH funding in the country, a dedicated two-year block of protected elective time (PGY5-6) for basic science, clinical, or computational research, formal degree options (MSCI, Master's in Data Science, MBA at Kellogg), and physician-scientist infrastructure through the Starzl Academy. The seven-year apprenticeship model, culminating in a chief year designed to prepare graduates for leadership at major academic centers, alongside numerous graduates now serving as faculty at leading universities, signals the program's explicit orientation toward producing academic neurosurgical leaders rather than community practitioners. Distinctive features include the Skull Base Laboratory for hands-on cadaveric training, an international elective at Catholic University in Rome, and flexible non-clinical career-development pathways during elective years.