Message from the Director

The Department of Neurosurgery at Rush University Medical Center is dedicated to excellence in neurosurgical education. Through our nationally recognized team of sub-specialized neurosurgical faculty and administrative and research staff, we offer a comprehensive educational curriculum, an abundant operative experience, research and academic opportunities which together provide a firm foundation for future success. Our clinical rotations cover all fields of the specialty and thus provide each resident with a broad neurosurgical education. Focused elective and research blocks provide our residents with the time and mentorship to develop subspecialty academic interests and pursue innovation through research throughout their career.

The Department of Neurosurgery at Rush is in a phase of unprecedented growth. The last two years have marked the busiest in our program’s history. This increase in clinical volume is the result of the addition of dedicated academic faculty and the expansion of programs in vascular neurosurgery, spine surgery, and brain tumor surgery. Although we are pleased by the growth in volume, our primary focus continues to be center on quality. University Health Consortium (UHC) data on outcomes has routinely placed some of our programs among the top performers in the nation.

This robust educational experience will be further enhanced by new additions and developments here at Rush. Our hospital campus has begun a transformation process that will culminate with the opening of a new state-of-the-art green hospital and outpatient facilities. In the new hospital, our current 17 bed neuroscience ICU will be expanded to 24 bed and our operation room capacity will increase to 6 neurosurgical OR suites including one with an intra-operative MR scanner. The neuroendovascular suite has recently been updated and a new Trilogy sterotactic radiosurgery is now fully operational. These improvements in our physical plant provide the Rush Department of Neurosurgery with all of the tools necessary to remain at the forefront in patient care and resident education.

As a team, we offer an excellent experience in operative neurosurgery, a firm background in neuroscience, a commitment to innovative research, and a dedication to professionalism. Our goal at Rush is to train tomorrow’s leaders in neurosurgery.

Vincent C. Traynelis, MD
Professor and Program Director