Our program is considering a new interview format.

Instead of the same old 10-interview-per-period, with solo/double faculty per room, there has been a suggestion to consolidate and reduce the number of interview rooms and instead ask the applicants to prepare and deliver a short presentation on research, a life experience, a hobby or a neurosurgical topic for 8-10 minutes, followed by a few minutes of conversation about it. 

This presentation would be delivered only to 3-4 faculty (not to other applicants) and take the place of said 2-3 interviews. Faculty would be instructed to keep it light-hearted and informal. Our interview is in-person. 

We acknowledge it might add a little bit of work and preparation to the candidate but on the other hand would allow us to evaluate the candidate a little differently, and the applicant would also be able to assess how faculty evaluates research presentations. It could be the same presentation prepared for a sub-I. 

We are just trying to make the interview process less mind-numbing. Anybody think this is a good idea? A horrible idea? Would this prevent you from applying to a specific program? Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

What are fellowships run by private practice spine groups like and how do they differ from traditional  academic university programs?

How much should a sub-i really know?


I've been reading up on my patients, learning the anatomy and steps in upcoming cases, and trying to read relevant papers. I understand that I won't know nearly enough to compare to residents right now, but it's hard to gauge where I'm expected to be at as a sub-i. Answering questions incorrectly never really bothered me and it mores lights a fire under my ass to study more.

How do MD Anderson and MSK compare in terms of neurosurgery fellow experience (excluding the skull base track)? Any significant differences in clinical and research experience? What about culture/networking experience?

We have an unexpected vacancy for a PGY-3 position.  Applicants interested in this position must have completed at least two years of successful completion in an ACGME accredited neurological surgery residency training program.  Must be available to start by 10.1.2024.  Please email cover letter, CV, MSPE, Letters of Recommendations, Medical School Transcript and USMLE scores to Melissa Lukehart at lukeml@upmc.edu .

 

I always heard stories that attendings get job offer for them and their spouses, which could work if both are planning to be at the same hospital. I am curious how though. During the interview many said we would be happy to help your wife find a job, continue education…etc. But what my mentor once told me, if you hear something and it’s not in the contract then don’t presume it will be there. 

So wonder if you can include spouses’s further education like MS, PhD, residency…etc in contract negotiations

Is a lead author conference presentation at CNS/AANS worth more or less than a first-author paper in Nature/Cell/Science? On one hand the former gives you a way to present your work to attendings. On the other hand, the latter looks better on paper (if people do read the ERAS or CV carefully enough ha)

I'm trying to figure out the logistics of a research-oriented career in neurosurgery.

From what I understand, the department will hire you and provide start up funds (~$1-2 million) to start a lab. Academic-oriented neurosurgeons will take a pay cut and from what I have seen, the salaries seem to be in the 350-400k range. Does that seem right? 

If so, how does that change with grant funding? For example, if I was to get a K award, I would be required to spend 50% of my time in research and only $110k of my salary would be paid from grants. Does this mean the rest of my salary would be whatever the department decides is 50% of that clinical specialty. In the example above, this would put me at 200k for a 400k neurosurgery job, putting me at $310k instead of $400k ($220*50% + $400*505)? Are you essentially taking a pay cut when you get these grants that require a specific dedicated effort to research?

In the position of having secured a good fellowship a year out from starting but one of the major faculty has left the program and a spot at a more desirable program (location, volume, prestige)opened up.

 I only signed an intent letter not an official contract yet. Is it worthwhile to pursue the more desirable program ?

Can someone help me understand really what the difference is for fellowship between tumor and skull base and what pros and cons someone ought to consider between them. Appreciate any insight.