The Neurological Surgery Residency Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center/ NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provides training in clinical neurosurgery and related specialties, as well as the opportunity to participate in clinical and basic science research.

Each year, two to three residents are accepted into the neurological surgery training program. The program incorporates seven years of clinical training and research with graduated responsibility and independence. The service is divided between New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).

During the first year, interns spend six months on the general surgery service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Subsequently, three months are spent in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit; one month on the neurointerventional/neuroradiology service; one month on the neurology consult service; and one month as an intern on the neurological surgery service. Interns learn the basics of neurological exam and differential diagnosis, neuroradiology, and neurosurgical intensive care.

PGY-2 and PGY-3 years are divided into four-week blocks. This time in junior residency is divided between NYPH and MSKCC. A night float call system is in place at NYPH. During the 2008-2009 academic year, the PGY-2 resident will spend 5 blocks on day float and 3 blocks on night float at NYPH. The remaining 5 blocks will be spent at MSKCC. PGY-3 residents will spend 6 blocks serving as the primary operating resident at NYP, 4 blocks on the pediatric neurosurgery service, 2 blocks on night float, and one block at MSKCC.

PGY-4 and PGY-5 years are spent pursuing a research interest under the sponsorship of either the neurological surgery staff or basic science faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, or Rockefeller University. Residents may also complete subspecialty training in complex spine or interventional neuroradiology during this time.

During the PGY-6 year, residents divide their time between NYPH and MSKCC. At NYPH they function as the senior resident on service and at MSKCC they function as the chief of service. During their PGY-7 year, residents function as the chiefs of service at NYPH.

In 2007, over 4000 neurosurgical operations, representing a wide range of procedures, were performed at NYPH and MSKCC.