Neurological Surgery Residency

Neurological Surgery Residency Header

The Spectrum Health/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Neurological Surgery Residency is a seven-year program, accepting one resident annually. We are committed to producing highly qualified neurosurgeons with the confidence to undertake their craft of clinical decision-making and surgical expertise with distinction.

Training is conducted at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Blodgett Hospital and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. A large array of technical assets in both diagnostic and therapeutic domains, coupled with the clinical expertise of specialty-focused staff, serve to supplement the training experience to prepare trainees for future practice

 


The Spectrum Health department of clinical neurosciences has over 150 senior faculty and advanced practice providers. 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 are 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 suites, Leica and Zeiss operating microscopes, ROSA (1) and Mazor (2) robotic systems, Storz neuroendoscopic system, Visualase LITT, NICO Myriad/Brain Bath, O-arm (3), Starfix and Leksell stereotactic frames, Clearpoint system, StealthStation navigation systems (8), Artis Q biplane systems and the Novalis Tx stereotactic radiosurgery system
 
Program Aims
  1. Technical competency in surgery
  2. Sound decision making
  3. Ethical practice
  4. Spirit of serving
  5. Desire to teach and innovate
  6. A commitment to solving clinical problems
 
Training locations
  1. Butterworth Hospital - Level 1 Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center; over 800 beds, a Neurocritical Care Unit, dedicated Neuroangiography suites (2) and operating facilities (3) with state-of-the-art technical assets in all neurosurgical programs
  2. Blodgett Hospital - site for the majority of elective spine surgery
  3. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital – site providing for entire scope of pediatric neurosurgical procedures
 
Teaching Opportunities
In addition to teaching medical students from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 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.

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Meet Our Faculty

Elisevich_Kost
Kost Elisevich, MD, PhD

Program Director
Mazaris_Paul
Paul Mazaris, MD

Associate Program Director
Rushna Ali MD
Rushna Ali, MD

Core Faculty
image coming soon
Anthony Avellino, MD

Core Faculty
Marian Bercu MD
M. Michael Bercu, MD

Core Faculty
Boyce_Hayden
Hayden Boyce, MD, FAANS

Core Faculty
Googe_Moises
Moises Googe, DO

Core Faculty
Matthew Karek MD
Matthew Karek, MD

Core Faculty
Madura_Casey
Casey Madura, MD, MPH

Core Faculty
Patra_Sanjay
Sanjay Patra, MD, MSc

Core Faculty
Singer_Justin
Justin Singer, MD

Core Faculty
Jason Squires DO
Jason Squires, DO

Core Faculty
Vitaz_Todd
Todd Vitaz, MD

Core Faculty

Class of 2028

Thiago Scharth Montenegro, MD
Thiago Scharth Montenegro, MD

Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro 


Class of 2027

abouelleil-mohamed
Mohamed Abouelleil, MD

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford


Class of 2026

RestrepoOrozco-Andres
Andres Restrepo Orozco, MD

Universidad de Antioquia


Class of 2025

Verhey_Leonard
Leonard Verhey, MD

Central Michigan University College of Medicine

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    Get to know our residents

    Our residents are a diverse group from a variety of backgrounds with unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!