Neurosurgery Department, UF College of Medicine
Residency: About Our Program
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Residency Program Structure
The University of Florida Residency in Neurological Surgery is a seven-year program. Following successful completion, trainees are capable of the independent practice of neurological surgery of the highest quality. During all years of the program, without exception, there is strict adherence to the ACGME duty hour's regulations.
PGY I
PGY I is the internship year. During six 4-week rotations as a member of the Neurosurgery team, the PGY 1 resident learns the fundamentals of evaluating and caring for patients with neurological illness, learns to assist in the operating room and learns the fundamentals of basic operative procedures all under the supervision of the faculty and senior level residents. The PGY 1 resident expands his understanding of neurological illness during three 4-week rotations on the Neurology service. The PGY 1 resident learns additional fundamental surgical skills during four 4-week rotations on other services such as critical care, orthopedics, trauma and ENT services. Call responsibilities are at a frequency of 5-6 nights per month, all with an in-house senior resident as back up.
PGY II and III
The PGY II and III are the junior resident years. The junior resident continues acquisition of knowledge and skills in the practice of neurosurgery through progressive increases in-patient care responsibility and surgical experience all under the direct guidance of faculty and senior level residents. The resident plays a role in teaching the PGY I residents and medical students. Call responsibilities are at a frequency of 5-6 nights per month, all with an in-house senior resident as back up.
PGY IV
The PGY IV is the first senior resident year. This year is spent in pursuit of a research experience. The resident may pursue research opportunities under the mentorship of UF faculty or at extra-mural sites such as the NIH as desired. Call responsibilities are at a frequency of 5-6 nights per month as senior resident back up to a junior resident.
PGY V
The PGY V is the second senior resident year. This year the resident begins functioning in a leadership role as a service leader and in the operating room. Working with the attending surgeon, the graduated surgical experience is further expanded in preparation for the chief resident year. Call responsibilities are at a frequency of 5-6 nights per month as senior resident back up to a junior resident.
PGY VI
The PGY VI year is the chief resident year. Surgical skills are further expanded under the direct supervision of an attending surgeon. Administrative and leadership responsibilities are added, as the chief is the director of the services at the Shands at UF and the Malcolm Randall VA Hospitals. The chief residents serve as liaison to the residency program director.
PGY VII
>The PGY VII year is the transition to practice (TTP) year. The TTP experience is designed to give the trainee the opportunity to hone his clinical skills in an independent but mentored environment. During this year, the TTP receives a faculty appointment as Lecturer, is granted hospital privileges, takes call with a senior faculty as back up, runs a clinic, and has scheduled operating room time.