Rotations in Neurosurgery for Physicians-in-Training 

Faculty and residents of Loyola University Medical Center’s (LUMC's) Neurosurgery Department are deeply committed to educating physicians-in-training.  If you are a physician-in-training with an interest in Neurosurgery, there are opportunities to get involved with faculty and resident research projects, attend departmental conferences, and participate in Stritch's Student Chapter of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

The Department offers a fourth year sub-internship to Stritch physicians-in-training as well as qualified students from other medical schools. The majority of students completing the four-week sub-internship are applying for Neurosurgery residency in the United States, but we welcome anyone interested in learning more about the field.

The sub-internship is a strong educational experience; rotating students will gain knowledge of neurosurgical disease processes, and build skills including the neurological examination and interpretation of radiological studies.  Assisting with bedside procedures (such as ventriculostomy and lumbar drain) and with surgical procedures in the operating room are integral parts of the rotation. 

Sub-interns are assigned to LUMC's in-patient neurosurgical service and generally will work with every resident and attending over the course of the four-week rotation. Time is devoted primarily to in-patient care in the NICU and floor as well as the operating room; some physicians-in-training  will receive limited exposure to the outpatient clinic.  To gain full exposure to patient care, sub-interns are encouraged to take in-house call with the Neurosurgery residents one night per week.

Rotating students attend our weekly academic conference (Wednesday mornings), as well as journal club and other resident education events. Near the end of the rotation, sub-interns are asked to present a brief (10 minute) talk on a neurosurgical topic of their choice.

Please contact Laura Kate Waters, residency program coordinator, for more information.  Applications for visiting students are accepted through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities and begin in February for the following academic year.  Stritch physicians-in-training are encouraged to apply through their elective registration portal.   

Joe Serrone, MD, clerkship director