The opportunities for growth for the resident as an individual and also as a team member are substantial. The faculty encourages each resident to develop areas of specialty and research interests of his or her own choosing. Dr. Muizelaar, the present chair, is world-renown for his contributions to the management of severe head injury and intensive care. The operating room also has a team of neuro-trained nurses. Included in the operating room suite are two dedicated full-time neurological surgery rooms.
Elective surgery is scheduled five days of the week.
Midlevel practitioners are provided as support for faculty and resident staff. Treatment is also available for children with craniofacial anomalies, craniosynostosis, or hydrocephalus. A comprehensive multidisciplinary referral center has been established for treatment of cerebrovascular disease and stroke, including carotid endarterectomy, cerebral revascularization, endovascular and surgical treatments of cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, carotid-cavernous fistula, and vasospasm. Also, a comprehensive multidisciplinary pediatric referral center is being established for evaluation and treatment of congenital spine disorders, neurofibromatosis and neuro-oncology. The department is noted as one of only two centers in the western United States specializing in a bold new surgery for skull base tumors once thought inoperable and incurable.