The Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine offers options for Medical School students.
Fourth-year medical students are encouraged to visit Washington University for an externship on the neurosurgical service. Externs will integrate into a neurosurgical service that consists of two chief residents, two senior-level residents, two junior-level residents, an intern and one to two third-year and fourth-year medical students.
Externs are eligible to participate in the medical school’s Visiting Elective Program, run by the Office of Diversity Programs. The goal of the Visiting Elective Program is to enhance the exposure of the Washington University Medical Center to students considering careers in academic medicine, while promoting cultural diversity on the medical school campus. Students who are members of groups underrepresented in medicine or are socioeconomically disadvantaged are strongly encouraged to apply to the program. Accepted students will be reimbursed up to $2,000 for expenses.
Learn More and How To Apply
Washington University School of Medicine students may rotate through neurosurgery during either their surgery or neurology clerkships.
During the clerkship, students participate with the residents and attendings on hospital rounds, evaluate patients in the neurosurgery outpatient department and participate in the neurosurgical operating room. The main objectives of the rotation include: 1) the evaluation of comatose or head-injured patients; 2) clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up and treatment of cervical and lumbar disc disease; and 3) evaluation and treatment of patients with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.
Medical students who have completed one or two years of medical school in the United States or Canada and who wish to spend a summer working in a neurosurgical laboratory may apply for a special opportunity through the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
Through the AANS Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation, up to twenty (20) fellowships in the amount of $2,500 are awarded each year to eligible medical students.
Medical Student Summer Research Fellowships
Medical Student Research Award
- 2018-2019 Connor Liu
- 2017-2018 Rukayat Taiwo
- 2016-2017 Diane Aum
- 2015-2016 Gakwaya Habiyaremye
- 2014-2015 Jacob Greenberg
- 2013-2014 Sam Sun and Paul Gamble
- 2012-2013 Jake Godzik and Jacob Greenberg
Neurosurgery Student Interest Group
- Matthew Richards
- Colin McCornack
- Samuel Cler