Neurosurgery Residency

The Department of Neurosurgery places a strong emphasis on achieving academic excellence. Our program is a seven‑year training program with 14 residents total—two residents in each training level. Our goal is to train the next generation of neurosurgical leaders and to provide the highest standard of care while integrating top‑level research and leading‑edge technology into every layer of education..

We perform over 5000 neurosurgical cases each year, and believe in early operative exposure for all residents. The program provides extensive exposure to advanced operative techniques including awake craniotomy, complex vascular and skull base surgery, intraoperative imaging, and intraoperative neurophysiological technology. Our faculty also has a large spine practice and routinely perform complex deformity correction surgery, and have two intraoperative O‑Arms to aid with teaching techniques. There is also extensive exposure to the specialties of neuropathology, neurology, and neuroradiology, and advanced surgical simulation technology. In addition, the program includes a full year of protected research, rotations in pediatric neurosurgery, and an opportunity to complete a six‑month elective rotation in London, England – providing residents a unique exposure to a different system of medical care..

Our residents finish the program with surgical skills that most do not have until well after fellowship training, and significant clinical and basic research experience and credentials equivalent or better than most junior neurosurgical faculty at other institutions.

The inaugural creation of the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital in 2005 was the result of a commitment and mission to pioneer the translation of advances in basic science into meaningful therapies for neurological conditions while providing an environment that fosters the education and training of post-doctoral fellows, residents and students to develop into preeminent physicians and scientists of tomorrow.

The Neurological Institute is part of the Houston Methodist Research Institute which is a cornerstone of Houston Methodist Hospital's strategic vision for its future as a top-ranked academic medical center. It supports a collaborative atmosphere for senior and young investigators in various fields. The Institute’s founding chairs, Robert Grossman, MD, and Stanley H. Appel, MD who represent a broad spectrum of expertise and have led their departments at Houston Methodist for more than 25 years. They lead a core group of more than 50 neurologists, neurosurgeons and dozens of neuro-specialist staff, all collaborating to make the Neurological Institute the nation’s model for neurological diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials and research.

Houston Methodist Hospital

Houston Methodist Hospital, the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, is located in the Texas Medical Center. For more than 90 years, Houston Methodist Hospital has served the Houston community and the world with the highest quality patient care in a spiritual environment. Affiliated with the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, Houston Methodist continues its longstanding commitment to improving the community’s health and well-being. Houston Methodist is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list. The 2014 issue named Houston Methodist among the country’s top hospitals in 11 specialties — more than any hospital in Texas. U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital No. 1 in the metro area and No. 1 hospital in Texas.

The neurosurgery residents will spend most of their time on service and on research at Houston Methodist. All neurosurgery clinics take place on the 9th floor of the Scurlock Tower.

Texas Children's Hospital

Texas Children's Hospital is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. It is the first hospital in the world to use real-time MRI-guided thermal imaging and laser technology to destroy lesions in the brain that cause epilepsy and uncontrollable seizures.

The Pediatric Neurosurgery Service at Texas Children's Hospital is a hospital-based academic pediatric. It is among the largest and most experienced pediatric neurosurgery units in the United States with more than 950 operations annually for a broad range of neurosurgical disorders. The pediatric neurosurgeons at Texas Children's Hospital are committed to setting the standard for the surgical treatment of infants and children with neurologic disease and to pioneering innovative therapies for the developing nervous system.

In addition, Texas Children's Hospital Neurosurgery was the first pediatric center in Texas to use the NeuroPace RNS device to treat seizures.

Texas Children's Hospital is consistently named as a top program in Texas and the entire southwest region and ranked #4 in the country by the U.S. News & World Report’s.

Each PGY3 neurosurgery resident will spend three months on the pediatric neurosurgery service at TCH.

Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas

Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas is a new teaching hospital and the centerpiece of a new health district in downtown Austin. At this new Seton hospital and three existing ones (Seton Medical Center Austin, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas), doctors train other doctors, conduct groundbreaking research and implement new treatments.

Each PGY6 neurosurgery resident will spend three months at Seton in both pediatric and trauma neurosurgery.

St George’s University Hospital, London

The St George’s Hospital neurosurgery department has been renowned around the world as a center of excellence for brain and spinal surgery since it was established at its original site at Atkinson Morley Hospital in 1869.

The department provides a comprehensive service for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the brain, skull, spine and nervous system for patients from across the south of England, and has a rich history of training and education. As a national center of excellence and the heart of the South West London and Surrey Neurology Network, the department treats patients with the most complex conditions from across the country.

St George's Hospital is the only hospital in the UK to be located on the same site as a university – the prestigious St George's University of London, the only university in the country dedicated solely to medicine.

This is a 6-month elective rotation (optional) for all PGY6 residents.

Eligibility and Application

The neurosurgery program at Houston Methodist has been approved for 14 residency positions, offering two positions annually through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications must be submitted through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service).  All candidates must be registered for the match with the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis and will be scheduled by invitation only.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit the following:

• Must complete the ERAS application and include a personal statement
• Must have a dean’s letter and three letters of recommendation; all LOR should be current (preferably from other academic neurosurgeons)
• Must have taken and passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 with a minimum score of 240 with no more than two attempts. We will consider COMLEX in lieu of USMLE for DO students
• Must have graduated medical school within the last 5 years

International Medical Graduates (IMG) must meet the qualifications listed above, in addition to completing USMLE Steps 1 and 2, with a minimum score of 240 and having a valid ECFMG Certificate.

Drug & Tobacco Screening:  Applicants will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical.  If an applicant tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program.  Applicants wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded.

If the applicant tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded.  Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.

Background Check:  Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.

Clerkship/Medical Student Rotation

The Houston Methodist Neurosurgery Residency Program offers clinical rotations for third- and fourth-year medical students who are interested in pursuing a residency in neurosurgery. Rotations are offered in April through December. Students who are interested in participating as a visiting sub-I may submit applications through the AAMC Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS) but will also be required to submit the rotating learner application.
 
In order to apply for the rotation, you must contact Karolina Sosa at kasosa@houstonmethodist.org expressing interest and include your CV (resume).

If you are interested in observing a Neurosurgery Faculty, please submit your inquiry to kasosa@houstonmethodist.org.

If you are an international physician, resident or medical student who is seeking to observe a clinical practice, please contact the Global Education Office at globaleducation@houstonmethodist.org.
 
Completing the rotating learner application does not guarantee a formal rotation. All students are selected by the program director.