About the Program

The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to offer a competitive, robust seven-year residency program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Upon graduation, you’ll have the operative skills and experience necessary to be a successful neurosurgeon, along with basic science knowledge and laboratory techniques for an academic career.

As a resident, you can expect progressive clinical responsibility throughout your training, with advanced cases in the following subspecialties:

Functional neurosurgery
Neuro-oncology
Nerve repair
Endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgery
Pediatric neurosurgery
Neurotrauma and neurocritical care

A Message from Our Director

In addition to our comprehensive clinical training and innovative research environment, we are especially proud of the level of camaraderie that exists among residents, faculty and staff. Our residents are a tight-knit group both in and out of the hospital, fostering a collaborative culture of respect and support for everyone in the department.

I am confident that you’ll look back on your residency training at VCU as a highlight of your career, and I look forward to working with you.

R. Scott Graham, M.D.
Director, Neurosurgery Residency Program

Curriculum

VCU’s neurosurgical residency program curriculum is designed around competency-based goals and objectives. We see an average of eight to 10 major operative cases per day, and your graduated responsibility will be consistent with your developing skills in evaluation and surgical procedures.

First-year residents rotate through 13 blocks:

Neurosurgery ward
Neuroscience ICU
Neurosurgery at the VA Medical Center
Neurosurgery clinic
Neuroscience critical care
Surgical trauma intensive care unit
Neuropathology
Neuroradiology
Neuro-interventional
Neuro-ophthalmology and movement disorders
Neurology consults
Neuro-anesthesia
Neurology EMG and EEG

During the remaining six years, you’ll spend more time in each rotation with quarterly or six-month blocks.

PGY-2: Neuroscience ICU, junior resident in VCU Medical Center OR
PGY-3: VA Medical Center, pediatric neurosurgery
PGY-4: VA Medical Center, senior resident in VCU Medical Center OR
PGY-5: Basic science research, senior vascular rotation
PGY-6: Chief resident in VCU Medical Center OR
PGY-7: Elective, subspecialty rotation

Residents may also complete an enfolded fellowship accredited by the Committee on Advanced Specialty Training (CAST). The department offers three fellowships:

Endovascular neurosurgery
Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
Spinal neurosurgery

Conferences

Faculty professional development conference
Every Monday, 5-6 p.m. (walking rounds, lecture, case review)

Epilepsy conference
Second Wednesday of the month, 4-6 p.m.

Pediatric epilepsy conference
Fourth Wednesday of the month, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Grand rounds
Every Thursday, 7-8 a.m. (M&M, EBM, faculty presentations, guest speakers)

AM conference
Every Friday, 7-8 a.m. (journal club, operative skills, case review)

Neuro-oncology conference
Every Thursday, 8:30-10 a.m. (case review)

Neurosurgical Mission Trip

As a resident, you’ll have the option of attending a pediatric neurosurgical mission trip to a developing country such as Guatemala, Honduras or Guyana. During these trips, our pediatric neurosurgeons evaluate and treat children with profound congenital abnormalities and disabilities. Children with the most severe surgical needs requiring intensive care will travel to Richmond for surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

This experience not only surpasses any case numbers or training during a typical residency but caring for children with significant disabilities will help you become a more compassionate and caring physician.

Ph.D. Program

If you’re interested in earning a Ph.D. during residency, the program’s leaders will work with you to create an individualized learning plan that incorporates the neuroscience program into your time here at VCU.

Learn more about the neuroscience Ph.D. program here

Salary and Benefits

2024-2025 Housestaff Salary Scale:

PGY-1: $63,569
PGY-2: $65,341
PGY-3: $67,694
PGY-4: $70,336
PGY-5: $74,258
PGY-6: $76,835
PGY-7: $79,658

Benefits for residents include the following:

Three weeks paid vacation, with an additional time off at either the winter holidays or the new year
Medical and dental insurance
Confidential stress and counseling resources
Cost-shared meals when working, fully paid meals on call

More Graduate Medical Education resources

We support our residents if they decide to grow their families. Residents and fellows may take up to 14 days of parental leave, and up to 12 weeks of maternity leave during their training.

Additional details provided in the GME leave policy here.

Housestaff benefits also include generous maternity and fertility benefits, adoption support and on-site daycare facility.

Life in Richmond

We encourage our trainees to maintain a healthy, balanced life, and Richmond is a wonderful place to engage in that well-rounded lifestyle. As the capital of Virginia since 1779, Richmond attracts students, faculty and staff from around the globe. The city’s location affords easy day trips to destinations like Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains, among others.

As a mid-sized city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million, Richmond provides stimulating activities while maintaining its intimate feel and unique vibe. Vibrant neighborhoods offer distinct, diverse experiences, with no shortage of art galleries, museums, music venues, restaurants, breweries and parks. For the outdoor enthusiast, you can’t beat the offerings in the city’s riverfront parks and urban wilderness areas such as white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking and cultural festivals.

Learn more about our community

How To Apply

The VCU Department of Neurosurgery participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), and you can apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

International applicants must have completed a three- to six-month clinical rotation at a U.S. or Canadian medical school facility to be eligible for residency at VCU. Additionally, foreign nationals must hold a J-1 visa to participate in this program.

For more information about applying to our program, contact:

Alyssa Ashby
Residency Program Coordinator
alyssa.ashby@vcuhealth.org