ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine Neurological Surgery Residency Program leadership and residents discuss the program's offerings, our affiliated hospitals, faculty and life in Houston.
About the Program
The ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine Neurological Surgery Residency Program has a history as one of the largest and most respected neurosurgery training programs in the United States. The program was founded as a nationally accredited residency program in 1958, and has been continuously and fully accredited ever since. Our residency program spans seven years, with four new residents added each year, and includes clinical rotations at five unique hospital sites, all located within the campus of the , as well as a dedicated research experience during the fifth year. The research year is supported by the department's NIH R25 grant.
A notable strength of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine Neurological Surgical Residency Program is that it offers truly unique educational experiences at each of its distinct training hospitals. The five affiliated hospitals that form the backbone of the program include: Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Texas Children's Hospital.
Through a carefully designed program curriculum with scheduled rotations at these five hospital sites, our residents are exposed to the full range of neurosurgery, including: cerebrovascular, endovascular, epilepsy, skull base surgery, movement disorder, neurosurgical oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, peripheral nerve, complex spine, trauma, and pain specialties. The extensive surgical and patient facilities of the program's affiliated hospitals provide an excellent environment for training, and offer exposure to state-of-the-art neuroendovascular suites with three-dimensional reconstruction of angiography, intraoperative MRI and CT scanners, adult and pediatric level 4 epilepsy monitoring units, intraoperative microelectrode recordings, and many other technologies.
It is our commitment in the Department of Neurosurgery to train residents to become highly skilled, compassionate, and ethical neurosurgeons who become leaders in the field, both in academics and private practice.
Meet Our Team
Neurosurgery Chair
Residency Program Director
Residency Associate Program Director
Residency Program Senior Coordinator
Residency Program Senior Coordinator
Admissions and Benefits
Neurological Surgery Residency Program applications are received through the Electronic Residency Application Service, . All applications must be fully completed and uploaded into ERAS no later than the Oct. 15 deadline, the year prior to admission. Once all applications are reviewed, the Neurosurgery Residency Selection Committee selects approximately 40 applicants to interview. Once the selections have been made, the department will contact each applicant, notifying them if they have or have not been chosen to interview.
Notification of appointment into the program is made by National Resident Matching Program () in mid-March. Each year, the program matches a total of four residents. Once the match has been completed, incoming residents will begin training at the end of June-beginning of July.
Selection and ranking of applicants is based on the following criteria:
- Demonstration of intellectual and clinical ability, evident by class standing, scores on the USMLE Step I and II, and participation in research during medical school
- Evidence of emotional maturity, stability, and a strong sense of responsibility
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed ERAS application by the Oct. 1 deadline- applications that are not completed by deadline will not be submitted for review
International graduates must meet the requirements established by the Office of Graduate Medical Education at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine, as set by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and Immigration Services. They will also need to contact the for information regarding the paperwork process for students and graduates of foreign medical schools. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine requires international medical graduates to meet the terms for an Institutional Permit, as outlined by the and have the documents necessary for a J-1 visa.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine’s Neurosurgery interview season typically consists of two interview days during the months of December, and January however this year things will be different due to the College’s social distancing protocol. Once they have received an invitation, applicants will be able to interview virtually. For the current academic year, the virtual interview dates are as follows:
- Nov. 12, 2025
- Dec. 3, 2025
One of the strengths of the program’s interview process is that it allows applicants to gain a better knowledge of the program in both a formal and informal setting. During the virtual interview process, applicants will be able to interact with current residents and faculty members. They will get the chance to hear from the program director and department chair and view presentations regarding the program, life in Houston, etc.
Applicants would normally be given an in-person tour of our world-renowned facilities (including the surgical, clinical, research, and academic) but with current restrictions, that is not possible. Instead, they will experience the tour virtually and hear from our five site directors.
See stipends and benefit information on the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine’s graduate medical education website. Stipend levels are at the national average, but Houston's cost of living ranks among the lowest of metropolitan areas in the United States.
Maintaining your physical and emotional wellness is a prerequisite to professional success. Our residents have access to a number of programs to support their well-being. View wellness resources.
Information about vacation and leave of absences is available on the graduate medical education website.
Neurological Surgery Residents
Our neurological surgery residency program is a seven-year training program and is approved for 28 residents. We match four residents per year.
Residency Leadership
Learn why our residency program offers one of the most comprehensive experiences in neurosurgical education.