Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium Program

The Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium Neurosurgery Residency Program offers a comprehensive and immersive training experience designed to produce technically proficient and confident neurosurgeons. This program emphasizes a personalized surgical education through its small student-to-faculty ratio, enabling a unique level of mentorship and learning. With a commitment to serving a diverse population, the program values diversity among its faculty and residents, believing it enhances the educational experience and patient care.

Key Features of the Program Include: - State-of-the-art Facilities: Training at a Level 1 trauma center, Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Program, and NAEC Level 4 pediatric and adult epilepsy center. - Large, Underserved Patient Population: As the only tertiary/ quaternary medical center in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the program has a service reach of over 4.6 million, affording residents a wide range of clinical experiences. - Robust Curriculum: Designed to meet and exceed ACGME Program Requirements for Neurological Surgery, including up to 18 months of elective rotations and an emphasis on passing the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) primary and oral board exams. - Dedicated Academic Days: Every Wednesday is reserved for didactic learning, ensuring residents are protected from call and pager duties to focus on their education.

Training Breakdown by Year: - PGY-1 to PGY-3: Focus on acquiring core neurosurgical skills, with increasing responsibility for patient care. PGY-1 residents start with basics like patient care, writing orders, and assisting in surgeries under supervision. By PGY-3, residents are expected to manage more complex diagnostic and therapeutic plans, engaging in supervisory roles. - PGY-4 and PGY-5: Transition towards more specialized skills, administrative responsibilities, and research opportunities. Residents may spend time in the laboratory but are always involved in direct patient care. - PGY-6 and PGY-7 (Chief Residents): Emphasizing leadership, these years involve managing direct patient care, overseeing junior residents, medical students, and advanced practice providers (APPs), and fulfilling administrative duties critical for department operations.

The program underscores the importance of self-directed learning, actively involving residents in teaching, research, and the continual improvement of their curriculum. While the program's description does not explicitly state its competitiveness or stance on DO/IMG applications, the diversity of its current and past residents, as showcased in their profiles, might suggest an inclusive approach. However, specific application requirements such as graduation year or maximum failed STEP exams are not mentioned, nor is there any mention of visa support.

This residency program, with its comprehensive curriculum, diverse and underserved patient population, and state-of-the-art training facilities, is built to equip residents with the core skills needed for a successful career in neurological surgery, tailored to each individual's needs and career goals.