Neurosurgery
Medical Education Program
The Department of Neurosurgery offers a dynamic and comprehensive medical education program designed to train the next generation of neurosurgical leaders.
The Department of Neurosurgery elective is designed to expose the medical student to the full and diverse spectrum of neurological surgery subspecialty care of patients. The medical student will experience the 360 degree process of assessing patients in an outpatient neurosurgery clinic, learning how to conduct a neurological exam, review radiographic and laboratory studies, and participate in the differential diagnostic work-up and surgical intervention planning.
The medical student will round with neurosurgery teaching faculty, residents, fellows and APP providers on inpatient wards, assist in emergency department consultations, and provide pre-, peri- and post-operative patient care.
Additional emphasis will be placed on participation in neurosurgical didactic educational conferences, with presentations assigned by senior resident conference organizers. Ongoing research opportunities are readily available to our medical students whether they have completed a neurosurgery elective or are preparing to do so.
Observerships
The Department of Neurosurgery welcomes participation of those interested in the neurosciences at the undergraduate level, as well. To initiate the process, please complete the required observer policy packet and additionally provide the following documentation to the attention of Adriana O’Dell at Adriana.ODell2@bannerhealth.com:
- Current flu vaccine, dated August 2025
- Negative TB skin test, within the last 12 months (if you have a history of a positive TB test, please submit a negative current chest X-ray)
- Documentation of two MMR vaccines, or positive titers for measles, mumps and rubella
- Documentation of two varicella vaccines, or positive varicella titer
- Color copy of a government-issued ID
- Photo of the observer for the ID badge
Sub-Internships
This one-month neurosurgery rotation is structured for senior visiting medical students on their sub-internship who are looking for an immersive experience in caring for patients with complex cranial and spine conditions at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Sub-interns function as integral members of the neurosurgical service, working closely with residents and faculty in the operating room, clinic and inpatient service.
Students will experience the breadth of our program’s expertise in functional, epilepsy, skull-base, complex spine, neuro-oncology, vascular, pediatrics and peripheral nerve sub-specialties within neurosurgery.
This experience is intended for eligible medical students from LCME-accredited medical schools; at this time there is no pathway for international medical students.
Our four-week neurosurgery sub-internship is designed to simulate the responsibilities of an incoming PGY-1 neurosurgery resident. During this rotation you will:
- Participate in daily rounds on the neurosurgery inpatient and ICU services
- Assist the residents with running the neurosurgical service, including bedside procedures
- Scrub into cranial, spine and emergency neurosurgical cases
- Assist in clinic and preoperative/postoperative patient care
- Attend weekly conferences (M&M, grand rounds and didactic conferences)
- Participate in Journal Club
- Present a short case or research topic to the department at the end of the rotation
- Meet with the chair/PD one on one
Rotation Structure (Typical Day)
- 5:30-6 a.m. Pre-rounding and sign/out
- 6-7 a.m. Rounds
- 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Conferences (usually 7-9 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays), OR, clinic, consults and procedures
- Call schedule to be determined by chief resident with post-call days off.
Evaluations
Performance is evaluated based on clinical reasoning, work ethic, professionalism, teamwork and initiative.
Mentorship
Sub-interns receive close mentorship from residents and faculty and are encouraged to explore research and career development opportunities in neurosurgery while here.
- Block 1: June 8 – July 3, 2026
- Block 2: July 6 – July 31, 2026
- Block 3: August 3 – August 26, 2026
- Block 4: August 31 – September 25, 2026
- Block 5: September 28 – October 23, 2026
- Block 6: October 26 – November 20, 2026
- Block 7: November 23 – December 18, 2026
- Block 8: January 4 – January 29, 2027
- Block 9: February 1 – February 26, 2027
- Block 10: March 1 – March 26, 2027 (NO electives available; Class of 2027 enrolled in Scholarly Project require course)
- Block 11: March 29 – April 23, 2027
The Neurosurgery Department at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson uses the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities Visiting Student Application Service and for this reason, we cannot accept international medical students.
Pre-applications are being accepted now through March 31, 2026, in advance of the VSAS opening date of April 1, 2026. Please complete an initial screening here.
The elective code for our rotation is SURG-848C. For the Academic Year 2026-2027, applications will open on April 1, 2026. Applications are vetted by the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Student Affairs Office. Please apply through the AAMC’s online portal.
For any questions regarding the Sub-Internship Program, please contact Julie Schippers, residency program administrator, at julies@arizona.edu.
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