Year 3 (PGY3)

During the PGY-3 year, residents spend 4 months on neurospinal disorders and 8 months on pediatrics. Residents record histories and perform physical examinations on patients, which includes providing initial assessment and management of all inpatient consults, transfers, and emergency room consults. They formulate diagnoses and plan care based on interpretation of neuroimaging and neurophysiological tests. The residents may assist in operations based on graded experience and under the direct supervision of the attending neurosurgeon. They also evaluate patients in the outpatient clinic and participate in decision-making and follow-up evaluations.
 
Spine Rotation (4 months): The spine rotation is performed at M/L Hospital under the supervision of the co-directors of the Neurospinal Disorders Program, Drs. Christopher Ames and Praveen Mummaneni, in conjunction with the program director and chair. In addition to the above responsibilities, the residents participate in multi-disciplinary patient care conferences with nurses, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and social service specialists. During this rotation the emphasis is on expanding clinical and surgical skils in the treatment of patients with complex spinal disorders, with particular emphasis on spinal instrumentation and pain management.
 
Pediatrics (4 months, M/L Hospital): In addition to above PGY-3 responsibilities, M/L Pediatrics residents manage inpatient care of all pediatric neurosurgery inpatients in conjunction with pediatric subspecialists. They are also required to participate in multidisciplinary patient care conferences with pediatric nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and social service specialists to develop patient-care and discharge plans that take into account patient, family, and health-care provider requirements. During this rotation, patient care, decision-making, and basic neurosurgery techniques are stressed with emphasis on pediatric patients. Supervision is by the Chief of Pediatric Neurological Surgery, Dr. Nalin Gupta, in conjunction with the program director and chair.
 
Pediatrics (4 months, CHRCO): Pediatrics residents at CHRCO perform all of the clinical responsibilities described above for the PGY-3 year and the Pediatrics service at M/L. At CHRCO there is a special emphasis on pediatric trauma in a trauma ICU and UCSF residents work with pediatric intensive care faculty and fellows. Residents participate in the operating room under the direct supervision of the pediatric neurosurgery faculty. Supervision is by the CHRCO Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dr. Peter Sun.

M/L: Moffitt/Long Hospital (Parnassus campus)
CHRCO: Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland

Year 4 (PGY4) ►