10 Best Neurosurgery Residency Programs in America

If you are a prospective neurosurgeon looking to find your perfect residency program, take a look into our list of the 10 best neurosurgery residency programs in America.

Also feel free to take a look at our article on the top OBGYN residency programs in America.

Neurosurgery is quite possibly the most prestigious career in the world. How often do you hear the phrase “Well, it ain’t brain surgery” tossed around, illustrating that literally anything next to neurosurgery is considered to pale in comparison? When a person’s very brain is in your hands, you need to be prepared and comfortable dealing with such a risky job. The only way to become an adequate neurosurgeon is to undergo intense schooling at a residency program. 

Continue reading to learn more about the best neurosurgery residency programs in America.

In our ranking of neurosurgery residency programs, we went straight to a source that interviews doctors themselves: Doximity, a network of over half a million doctors working in America. Doximity has a wonderful resource to help students find the best residency program for their preferred specialty called the Residency Navigator, where over 52,000 physicians participate in a survey and nominate the best residency program for a given department. We chose the programs to include in our list based on their reputation ranking.

Continue reading to learn more about the best neurosurgery residency programs in America.

 

10. NYU School of Medicine

Program Size: 18

NYU School of Medicine offers one of the best neurosurgery residency programs in the country. The program director at the NYU School of Medicine’s neurosurgery residency program is Howard A Riina, MD. If you are keen to work in a dynamic place such as New York City, this may be the perfect program for you.

 

9. Massachusetts General Hospital

Program size: 21

Massachusetts General Hospital, located in the lively city of Boston, is an ideal program for many prospective students. Program director  Emad Eskandar, MD has been heading this institution since 2008. Here you will be working alongside a passionate and focused team. 

 

8. Emory University

Program size: 21

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University provides another top-rated neurosurgery residency program. Residents report that they are very satisfied with their career guidance, working hours, and schedule flexibility. The program director, Nelson M Oyesiku, MD Ph.D., has been heading this impressive team since October 2005.

 

7. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Rochester)

Program size: 21

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine is located in Rochester, Minnesota. If you decide to apply to this residency program, know that you will get excellent career guidance, great working hours, and a flexible schedule. The program director is Michelle J Clarke, MD.

 

6. Washington University/B-JH/SLCH Consortium

Program size: 21

Washington University’s neurology residency program is officially recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Here, you will get seven-years of training to ensure expertise in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. The program director is Gregory Zipfel, MD. 

 

5. University of Washington

Program size: 21

The University of Washington is located in the appealing city of Seattle, and it has one of the best neurosurgery residency programs in the United States. The program director of 15 years is Richard G Ellenbogen, MD FACS. Their neurosurgery residency program is rated excellent for working hours, schedule flexibility, career guidance, surgical volume, and culture. 

 

4. New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus)

Program size: 18

Acceptance rates are competitive within New York Presbyterian Hospital’s small neurosurgery residency program. Here you will be offered the best working hours and career guidance, plus the benefit of living in New York City. The program director in this neurosurgery residency program is Jeffrey N Bruce, MD since July 1, 2005.

 

3. Johns Hopkins University

Program size: 28

At number three on our list of best neurosurgery residency programs in America we have Johns Hopkins University– located in Baltimore, Maryland and directed by Judy Huang, MD since 2013– that offers some of the best diagnostic and treatment training in the country. They also boast some of the most impressive teachers on the list. 

 

2. Barrow Neurological Institute

Program size: 28

Barrow Neurological Institute is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The program director since 2010 is Peter Nakaji, MD. Doctors rated this neurosurgery residency program as the second best in the country. This program is impeccable, with great working hours, flexible schedule, and helpful career direction. 

 

1. University Of California (San Francisco)

Program size: 21

On top of our list as the best neurosurgery residency program in the US is at University of California San Francisco. The program director at UCSF is Michael W McDermott, MD. Like in People most interested in this program want to work with a dynamic, collaborative, and hard-working team; not to mention the fringe benefit of getting to live and work in San Francisco.

Wherever you plan you take your residency, be sure to select the program that fits you as an individual. Whatever your specialization, learning style, or ideal hometown may be, there is sure to be a wonderful option for you on our list of 10 best neurosurgery residency programs in America.