Neurological Surgery Residency

Latest Information

For the most current and comprehensive information about the Neurological Surgery Residency Program, please visit the official University of Pittsburgh program website.

Visit Official Program Website ↗

Overview

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery—established in 1936 with residency training since the late 1940s—combines a legacy of excellence with modern innovation. Today, we are the largest neurosurgical academic provider in the United States, performing more than 9,000 major procedures annually across the UPMC system.

• 28: Total residents
• 4: New residents selected each year
• 7: Years of training (PGY 1–7)
• 9,000+: Annual major procedures system-wide

Program Excellence & Rankings

Our residency is consistently recognized among the top programs nationally:

• #7 in the U.S. for best clinical training (2023 Doximity survey)
• Top five programs in USA Today (2018) and Becker’s Spine Review peer survey (2018)
• Top five for faculty academic publishing output (Journal of Neurosurgery, 2015)
• Most productive residency by graduates contributing to academic neurosurgery
• 80+ years at the forefront of neurosurgical care
• Strong graduate satisfaction with career choice and family impact

In 2018, the department published a 50-year retrospective assessment in the Journal of Neurosurgery reviewing 98 graduates across five decades—demonstrating consistent training quality and high satisfaction.

Program Highlights

Excellence in Training

• Consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs
• Seven-year ACGME-accredited program
• 28 residents total; four selected annually
• Internationally renowned faculty

Clinical Experience

• Largest neurosurgical academic provider in the U.S.
• 9,000+ major procedures annually
• Multi-site training across UPMC and VA systems
• Comprehensive patient care exposure from tertiary and quaternary centers

Educational Focus

• Maximizing medical knowledge and patient care skills
• Practice-based and systems-based learning
• Strong emphasis on professionalism
• Interpersonal and communication skills development

Innovation & Technology

• Advanced technology and informatics in patient care
• State-of-the-art surgical equipment and simulation
• Research and development opportunities across subspecialties

Training Facilities

Residents train across world-class facilities and diverse patient populations:

Primary Training Sites

• UPMC Presbyterian
• UPMC Shadyside
• UPMC Mercy
• UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Specialized Experience

• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
• Level 1 trauma exposure
• Pediatric neurosurgery specialization
• Comprehensive spine surgery training

Subspecialty Training

Residents receive comprehensive exposure across core and advanced subspecialties:

Core Subspecialties

• Spine Surgery
• Cerebrovascular Surgery
• Neuro-oncology
• Pediatric Neurosurgery

Advanced Specialties

• Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
• Neurocritical Care
• Skull Base Surgery
• Neurotrauma

Neurosurgery Bootcamp

An intensive two-week orientation designed for incoming PGY-1 residents during the last two weeks of June, just prior to July 1. Developed by David T. Fernandes Cabral, MD (Director of Resident Education) with Melissa Lukehart (Residency Coordinator), the bootcamp provides a structured introduction to neurosurgical practice and department culture.

Foundational Lectures

• Tumor neurosurgery
• Spine surgery
• Vascular neurosurgery
• Functional and epilepsy surgery
• Neuroanatomy and neuro‑ophthalmology
• Stroke management and neurocritical care

Practical Skills Training

• External ventricular drains (EVDs)
• Lumbar punctures and lumbar drains
• Bedside neurological examinations
• Basic neurosurgical procedures
• Communication skills development

Certifications & Training

• ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• Daily shadowing across neurosurgery services and hands-on clinical exposure

Program Leadership

Resident performance and progression are formally reviewed twice per year via the ACGME Milestones. Program leadership includes:

• Program Director: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD
• Associate Program Director: Nitin Agarwal, MD
• Resident Education Director: David T. Fernandes Cabral, MD
• Additional faculty mentors across all subspecialties

Application Process

We select four exceptional residents annually through a highly competitive process. Applications are submitted via ERAS and matched through the NRMP.

1. ERAS Application — Submit by the October 21 deadline
2. Application Review — Holistic review of academic record, research, and clinical performance
3. Interview Process — Virtual interviews with faculty and residents for selected applicants
4. NRMP Match — Final selection through the National Resident Matching Program

Application Requirements

• Medical degree from an accredited institution (MD/DO or equivalent)
• USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores
• Strong academic performance and research experience
• Letters of recommendation (neurosurgical faculty preferred)
• Clinical experience in neurosurgery
• Demonstrated commitment to a neurosurgical career

Ready to Apply?

Join one of the nation’s premier neurosurgical residency programs and begin your journey toward leadership in neurological surgery.

• Apply via ERAS
• Visit Program Website

Contact Information

For more information about the Neurological Surgery Residency Program, contact our GME academic manager:

GME Academic Manager
Melissa Lukehart
Phone: (412) 647-6777
Email: lukeml@upmc.edu