University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago Program

Program Identity & Fit

UIC Neurosurgery is a university-affiliated, tertiary/quaternary academic program anchored at UI Health, a major Midwest referral center for cerebrovascular disease, complex aneurysms, skull base tumors, and neuroendovascular procedures, reflecting the department's historical strength in cerebrovascular and bypass surgery under Dr. Charbel. Training is distributed across a 22-bed neuro-ICU, Advocate Christ Medical Center for trauma exposure, and Lurie Children's Hospital for pediatric neurosurgery, giving residents a structured, multi-site case mix rather than a single-hospital experience. The PGY5 selective year offers explicit tracks (basic/clinical research, enfolded fellowship, advanced degree, subspecialty training) and the department runs three subspecialty fellowships (cerebrovascular, endovascular, stereotactic/functional), signaling a career pathway oriented toward subspecialization following residency. The program values a small (one-to-two resident per year) cohort model with graduated operative autonomy building to a chief year with high-complexity cranial and spine cases.