Neurological Surgery Residency

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Spectrum Health has over 150 senior faculty and APPs. It includes neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neuropsychology, clinical psychology and pain management.  Several programs constitute the department – oncology, vascular, epilepsy, spine, movement disorder, neuromuscular, behavioral/cognitive, immunological – bringing together an interdisciplinary team to manage conditions by the relevant expertise.  

Our surgical faculty consists of 12 senior surgeons. Three of these surgeons cover pediatric neurosurgery, two are orthopedic spine surgeons and seven neurosurgeons are focused on adult patients.  They are supported by 17 APPs and a large body of technical staff.  Highlights include an iMRI, hybrid angiographic suite, ROSA robotic system, Storz neuroendoscopic system, Visualase LITT, NICO Myriad/Brain Bath, O-arm (3), Starfix & Leksell stereotactic frames, Clearpoint system, StealthStation navigation systems (8), OH6 Leica operating microscope and Artis Q biplane systems and the Novalis Tx stereotactic radiosurgery system.

Training is carried out at three Spectrum Health hospitals:
1. Butterworth Hospital - Level 1 trauma center and Comprehensive Stroke Center; with over 600 beds, a Neurocritical Care Unit, dedicated Neuroangiography suites and operating facilities with state-of-the-art technical assets in all neurosurgical programs
2. Blodgett Hospital - our site for the majority of elective spine surgery
3. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital - provides facilities to accomplish the entire scope of pediatric neurosurgical procedures

In addition to teaching Michigan State University College of Human Medicine medical students, residency programs are present in both neurology and neurosurgery, in addition to fellowships in neuropsychology, epilepsy and stroke/vascular neurology.  The department manages the highest volume of thrombectomies in Michigan and undertakes cases of the highest complexity in all the mentioned programs.

The educational environment at Spectrum Health provides sufficient exposure in all ACGME required neurosurgery domains, including pediatrics. The program will provide for a means by which high caliber graduates may be recruited within the department to perpetuate a strong academic standard and clinical performance.

Research is supported by the Spectrum Health Office of Research and Education and collaborations are established with several research enterprises, including Michigan State University, Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley State University.  Opportunities exist to establish clinical and translational research projects in collaboration within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, as well as with faculty in these neighboring institutions.  Departmental faculty are engaged in several clinical trials, government-supported projects and graduate studies programs.

All candidates must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status.

For DO applicants, we prefer USMLE Steps 1 and 2, but will accept COMLEX 1 and 2. 

For more information on our program, contact  Samantha Riley our program coordinator or email us at neurosurgery@spectrumhealth.org.

All visiting medical student applications must be submitted through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities program (formerly known as VSAS). For more information on visiting medical student opportunities, please visit theVisiting Learner page.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.