Cerebrovascular

Our goal is to provide structured exposure to the field of cerebrovascular diseases, as well as multiple modalities of diagnosis and treatment. Residents will become facile with the nuances of a modern neurovascular practice and develop research/clinical expertise to pursue a career while in residency.

• Track will follow a 24-month course, including three distinct components.
• Adequate flexibility to pursue multiple goals simultaneously, while customizing one’s experience.
• Exposure will be in addition to the RRC-required rotation in angiography.
• The academic track will typically commence in the PGY-4 year.
• Fulfillment of the requirements will qualify the participant to complete training as an Open and Endovascular Cerebrovascular Specialist with either one or two further years of INR training post-residency.

The Cerebrovascular Academic Track has been developed for Neurosurgery Residents at the Emory University School of Medicine. This track provides a comprehensive path for prospective residents to follow that will maximize their clinical and/or basic science research effort, as well as provide the tools necessary to develop into a neurosurgeon-scientist with an interest in neurovascular diseases. The Cerebrovascular Track includes coursework, grants/fellowships, scientific meetings, symposiums, lectures/seminars/webinars, awards and mentors the residents may benefit from throughout their residency and dedicated research time. The track is multidisciplinary and flexible, but typically will follow a 24-36 month course.

Residents have the opportunity to obtain a Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) through the Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute (ACTSI). Residents interested in pursuing a PhD in Molecular Biology may obtain extra time during their residency if approved by the Residency Program Director. 

The academic track will follow a 24-month course, during which six months will be devoted to a Core Exposure to the basic and clinical science foundations of neurovascular diseases. Within this Core Exposure, a three-month Basic Science period will be allotted for rotation in a potential laboratory led by an established researcher (basic scientist or physician-scientist). This lab rotation will provide exposure and instruction to the residents in basic lab work, as well as set up the resident to pursue their own project. Residents are expected to actively participate in lab meetings, journal club, and present any data acquired. They are also expected to attend local seminars/lectures/webinars and plan on applying for grants/fellowships, as well as attending scientific meetings.

The three-month Clinical Science period will be comprised of clinical coursework, database management and formal rotations in Stroke Neurology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neuroanesthesia. Alternatively, six month Visiting Externships dealing with a variety of related fields may be arranged (see below).

A further 18 months will be comprised of an Immersion Exposure into detailed aspects of the clinical practice of cerebrovascular neurosurgery—both traditional and endovascular. The first 6-7 months are devoted to the study of neuroradiology. During this time, the resident will learn basic and advanced diagnostic neuroradiology and endovascular techniques, including the performance and interpretation of diagnostic angiography and axial neuroimaging. At the successful completion of this period, the resident will have gained an intimate understanding and familiarity with cerebrovascular diseases and their management. Another two years of dedicated cerebrovascular and Interventional Neuroradiology training will then qualify them as a fully trained open and endovascular specialist.

Alternatively, this time may be used by the resident to complete their own basic research project with a selected mentor. This would be in lieu of completing formal endovascular training, and must be selected by the resident at the outset of training.  At this point, residents should have applied, or be in the process of applying, for grants/fellowships, awards and continue to attend seminars/lectures/webinars. The resident will be expected to present data at scientific meetings during this time period. Projects shall be selected that can be completed during the allotted time, and residents are expected to work closely with their mentors to finish their project prior to their re-initiation of full-time resident duties.

In the third component, Didactic Exposure, the residents are expected to complete three months of didactic coursework and attend various symposia as well as seminars/lectures/webinars. The three months need not be contiguous, however the resident must accumulate this three-month body of material over the 24-month period. During this time, work in the microvascular lab is required.

Regardless of whether the endovascular or basic research avenue is taken, residents are expected to report their completion of coursework, attendance of symposia, as well as seminars/lectures/webinars to the Residency Program Director. In addition, presentation at scientific meetings, attainment of awards, grants or fellowships are expected and will be recorded by the Residency Program Director. A minimum of two peer-reviewed publications will also be required.