The clinical program is based at Saint Barnabas Medical
Center (SBMC) in Livingston, New Jersey which is a 650 bed
hospital and its Ambulatory Care Center, and at the Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) in Newark, New Jersey
with it’s 640 beds. The residents are exposed to all
types of general neurosurgical cases at both hospitals. In
addition there is a high volume sophisticated complex spine
surgery program dealing with both degenerative and malignant
diseases of the spine as well as minimally invasive spine
surgery program. There is a large epilepsy program with a
dedicated epilepsy surgeon. Training in neurosurgical multiple
trauma is received through a rotation at Cooper Medical Center
in Camden, New Jersey under the direction of Dr. Warren Goldman.
The residents make working rounds with an attending on each
patient daily and teaching rounds with chief of service or
another attending at least two times a week at each institution.
The basis of formal resident training is a weekly Wednesday
conference where all the attending neurosurgeons a neuroradiologist
and invited guests are present. The residents present a case
on which they assisted or where they performed surgery and
are quizzed by the attendings on its various aspects in a
format simulating Oral Board Examination. The questions range
from basic anatomy, neurophysiology and neuropathology, to
neurology and clinical management. The surgical issues discussed
are appropriate to the level of the resident’s training.
The neuroradiologist questions the residents on interpretation
of the diagnostic studies in didactic fashion. There is a
monthly neurosurgical M&M conference, a joint neurosurgery/neuroradiology
and neuropathology conference and a brain cutting session
where pathology, radiology and neurosurgery residents present
cases and attendings discuss them. A weekly Youman’s
club is organized by the residents on topics from Youman’s
textbook. The teaching program is supplemented by visiting
professors who are invited to present new developments in
neurosciences. Approximately every two years the INNS organizes
a conference on new developments in neurology and neurosurgery
where the presenters are nationally and internationally recognized
experts.
The residents are encouraged to submit scientific papers
to national meetings. If the paper is accepted, the INNS
funds for the trip for the resident. Each resident is entitled
to one trip to a scientific meeting whether or not he/she
presents. Residents participate in the osteopathic national
in-service annual examination and take yearly self-assessment
INNS institutional multiple choice test. Osteopathic principles
are taught by C. Steiner, D.O., a Professor Emeritus at the
School of Osteopathic Medicine of the Uniersity of Medicine
and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
An important part of the resident’s training is conducted
in the animal research laboratory at BIMC. At this state
of the art research facility which includes the East Coast
training center for robotic surgery, the residents are taught
basic neurosurgical techniques such as the use of high speed
drill, use of bipolar cautery, the use of surgical telescopes
and head light and the use of the microscope and micro instruments.
The training is conducted on dogs or pigs. The lab is equipped
with recent model Zeiss microscope, Midas-Rex drill and basic
neurosurgical instruments. The lab is supervised by a veterinarian
who teaches basic surgical techniques such as suturing and
perivascular dissection during the resident’s first
year. The residents thereafter are taught specific neurosurgical
techniques by neurosurgical attendings. In addition to training
in basic neurosurgical techniques, the residents have an
option to be involved in basic scientific research projects
that deal with the movement of ions and neurotransmitters
in various models of brain injury and its relationship to
intracranial pressure. This project is being conducted under
the direction of Otakar R. Hubschmann, M.D.
Residents can choose up to four months of elective rotations
outside of the institution in the 4TH (fourth) year of their
residency training. While at Camden, the residents are provided
an apartment. In their first year, the residents are provided
with a pair of surgical telescopes which becomes their property
upon graduation. The residents take call from home. During
the week they are assigned to individual hospitals although
they may cross-cover. At night and on weekends they cover
both hospitals (SBMC and NBIMC). The on-call schedule complies
with the 80hr/week rule which is strictly observed. Both
hospitals are located within 15 miles from Manhattan with
great cultural opportunities available. There are rental
apartments for the residents near SBMC which is located in
a pleasant suburban area with great schools and recreational
opportunities.
At SBMC the residents interact with residents from other
programs allopathic and osteopathic internal medicine, Pathology,
Surgery, OB-GYN, Anesthesia, Radiology Transitional year,
Podiatry and NBIMC Pediatrics.
At NBIMC the residents interact with residents from Dentistry,
Internal Medicine, Medicine, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Radiology
and Surgery and with fellows in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine,
Heart Failure, Hemotology-Oncology, Infectious Disease, Interventional
Cardiology, Nephrology, Pacemaker, Pulmonary Critical Care,
and Vascular Surgery.
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Neurosurgery
Residency Program
Saint Barnabas Health Care System
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