The residency training program may vary depending on the specific needs of the trainee, a flexibility beneficial when developing specialized interests or skills in neurosurgery. Research programs for a Ph.D. degree may also be arranged.

The goal of the Emory University training program in Neurosurgery is to instruct and prepare physicians in the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, operative and non-operative treatment, critical care and rehabilitation of patients afflicted by diseases of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system, its meninges and vascular supply and of disorders of the spine. Residents should acquire skills in leadership, superior clinical judgment, patient advocacy and compassion, effective communication with patients, their families, consultant services and nursing and faculty staff. Academic objectives include the completion of laboratory and clinical research projects and the preparation of manuscripts for publication at meetings and in peer-reviewed journals and books.

Program Outline
The Neurosurgical Program begins with the PGY1 year. Six months of the PGY1 year will be spent in General Surgical training and six months will be spent rotating through the neurosurgical intensive care units for two months, inpatient neurology for three months and pediatric intensive care units for one month.

The PGY2 year will be spent as the junior resident at Emory University Hospital. The PGY3 year will be spent as a junior resident for six months at Grady Memorial Hospital, three months of inpatient neurology consults and three months in the outpatient clinic at Emory Clinic

The PGY4 year will consist of six months as the senior resident at Children's Hospital of Atlanta and six months as the senior resident at Crawford Long Hospital. The PGY5 year will be spent as elective or research time. The PGY6 year will be divided into six months of further elective or research time and six months as a senior resident at Grady Memorial Hospital.

The PGY7 year consists of twelve months as a Chief resident at Emory University Hospital. In order to graduate from the Program, the resident must have successfully completed the training program as outlined by the Department of Neurological Surgery. The written examination of the American Board of Neurological Surgery must be passed prior to commencing the PGY7 year as Chief Resident.

General Responsibilities:
The resident staff is responsible for the daily care of patients, including morning and evening rounds, intensive care, emergency consultations, patient admissions and discharges. Residents will assist in all surgical and intensive care unit procedures under the supervision of faculty and senior housestaff. Each resident participates in an equitable on-call schedule, in the education of rotating medical students, and attends all pertinent (required) conferences. Residents are expected to keep a written or computer database of their surgical cases.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Conferences
2. Publications and Meetings
3. In-training Examination
4. PGY 1 Rotation
5. PGY 2 Rotation
6. PGY 3 Rotation
7. PGY 4 Rotation
8. Emory Crawford Long Rotation
9. PGY 5 Rotation
10. PGY 6 Rotation
11. PGY 7 Rotation