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Teaching conferences are an integral part of the University of Washington's
Neurological Surgery training program. As the primary academic center
in the Pacific Northwest, the University attracts scientists and experts
from around the nation and the world, thus providing our students, residents,
staff and faculty unique opportunities to interact with and learn from
leaders in a variety of disciplines and fields, ranging from molecular
biology and genetics to engineering and zoology. Guests have included
pioneering basic scientists, controversial clinicians, and Nobel Laureates.
In addition to weekly teaching conferences and rounds, three invited professorships
are awarded each year.
Wednesday Conferences
The Department has mandatory Conferences for all Faculty and Residents
from 7AM - 9AM every Wednesday and is held at the Harborview Medical Center
research and Training Auditorium. The schedule includes the following
rotating conferences:
Grand Rounds
| |
7-8 AM |
8-9 AM |
| 1st Wed. |
Neuroradiology Conference |
Neuropathology Conference |
| 2nd Wed. |
Neuroradiology Conference |
Neurosurgery Grand Rounds |
| 3rd Wed. |
Spine Conference |
Neuropathology Conference |
| 4th Wed. |
M&M Conference |
M&M Conference |
| 5th Wed. |
Neuroradiology Conference |
Neurosurgery Grand Rounds |
Neurosurgery Grand Rounds - This
is a mandatory, educationally rich conference for faculty and residents.
These rounds are didactic presentations on clinical and basic science
topics from both internal and external speakers. Dr. Ellenbogen is responsible
for oversight of this conference with the consultation of the entire faculty.
The quality and consistency of these conferences is maintained through
CME reviews and CME certification undertaken by the Chairman on an annual
basis.
Neuropathology Conference - This conference
the presentation of neuropathology studies by neuropathologists and
neurosurgical residents. The photomicrographs of the permanent slides
and sections are presented and discussed by our UW neuropathologists. Following these presentations, discussion ensues concerning
neuropathological differential diagnosis and postoperative management.
Neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists attend. Selected neuropathologic
specimens from all four institutions are presented. In some instances
this conference is two hours long and begins at 7:00 a.m.
Neuroradiology Management Conference –
The Chief Resident of each institution presents two to five cases from
each of the four institutions. The Chief Resident, in concert with the
Service Chief, selects the most interesting cases from the last week
or two to maximize the learning opportunity for the conference. Appropriate
operative photos and movies are used to illustrate technical points. The conference includes the neurosurgery faculty and residents,
community neurosurgeons, interested neurology attendings and residents,
neuroradiology faculty and fellows, and other faculty or residents,
as appropriate.
Spine Grand Rounds -- The Spine Conference
at HMC involves the entire Department of Neurological Surgery and Orthopaedics
and Sports Medicine Spine faculty, residents and fellows. This conference
involves either a didactic conference with specific topics (e.g., management
of spinal deformity or neuroradiology of the spine) or involves evaluation
and case management of specific series of patients. Dr. Randall Chesnut,
Associate Professor in Neurological Surgery and Jens Chapman, Professor
of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery, are responsible for
oversight and organization of this conference.
M & M Conference -- This is a mandatory
conference attended by all residents and attendings. Patient complications
at all three hospitals are submitted a week in advance to Dr. Ellenbogen.
Relevant clinical material is then presented by each of the Chief Residents
and all appropriate imaging studies are shown. A critique of case management
ensues. The Chief Resident and appropriate Service Chief are responsible
for presenting an academic discussion.
Resident Education and Board Review -- Each Wednesday morning, residents meet with Dr. Adam Hebb for an education and board review session. This curriculum is designed to cover sentinel articles and important aspects of neuroscience, neurology, neuroanatomy, and neurosurgery. Each meeting begins with a case presentation, followed by resident presentations on specific topics. Presentations are stored online for future reference.

Site-specific Conferences
Harborview Medical Center
Gamma Knife Conference:
Monday 12:00 - 1:00 pm– (optional resident conference)
The focus of this conference is to review all Gamma Knife referrals,
discuss and evaluate and recommend treatment options for each patients.
Epilepsy Conference:
Monday 4:00 - 5:00 pm
The focus is to review all Epilepsy referrals and determine surgical
and non-surgical treatment options. This teaching conference rotates
amongst hospital sites: CHRMC, UWMC, HMC.
Neuro-Endocrine Conference:
Wednesday 12:30 – 1:30 pm/monthly – (mandatory for
all HMC Residents)
The focus of this teaching conference is to review the management of
pituitary disease before and after surgery and the treatment of all
diseases or injuries of the hypothalamic/pituitary axis.
Pre-Operative Conference:
Thursday 7:45 - 8:30 am – (mandatory for all HMC Residents)
The focus of this teaching conference is to review all operative cases
scheduled for the following week and to discuss surgical decision making
issues, operative issues and unique patient care management issues for
these patients.
Spine Conference:
Thursday 8:30 - 9:00 am – (mandatory for all HMC Residents)
The focus of this teaching conference is to review all operative cases
scheduled for the following week and to discuss surgical decision making
issues, operative issues and unique patient care management issues for
these patients. This conference includes both Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedic
surgeons involved in the multi-disciplinary spine service.

University of Washington
Spine Conference:
Weekly, Tuesday 7:00 am - 8:30 am
The focus of this teaching conference is to review all surgical spine
patients at HMC/UWMC/CHRMC/VA scheduled for surgery the following week,
and to discuss surgical decision making issues, operative issues and
unique patient care management issues for these patients. This conference
includes both Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedic Surgeons involved in the
multi-disciplinary Spine Team.
Epilepsy Surgical Management Conference:
Monthly, Monday 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Interdepartmental working conference during which complex cases are
reviewed from each of the UW affiliated hospitals and diagnostic/treatment
plans are established. Meeting location rotates amongst the four hospitals.
Neurological Surgery Case Management Conference:
Weekly, Tuesday 5:00 - 6:30 pm
In-patient films are reviewed and cases discussed with members of the
Neurological Surgery faculty. All residents and fellows not in the operating
room are required to attend. The junior resident often presents a topic of interest for discussoin amongst the faculty.
Neuro-Oncolgy Tumor Board:
Weekly, Wednesday 9:30 - 11:00 am
Interdepartmental working conference where cases from the University,
Harborview and PSVAHCS are reviewed and diagnostic/treatment protocols
planned.
Neuro-Endocrine Conference:
Monthly, Monday 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 pm
Endocrinology faculty and fellows join the Neurosurgery faculty and
residents to review pituitary tumor cases.
Head and Neck Tumor Board:
Weekly, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 pm
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery faculty and residents meet with
Radiology faculty and the skul base neurosurgery team to review upcoming
cases.

Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center
Pediatric Neurosurgery Pre-Operative Conference:
Monday 7:00 - 7:30 pm – (mandatory for CHRMC Resident)
The focus of this teaching conference is to review all operative cases
scheduled for the current week and to discuss surgical decision making
issues, operative issues and unique patient care management issues for
these patients. The Chief Resident presents each case to the faculty
at this conference.
Pediatric Epilepsy Conference:
Thursday 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Cases are reviewed for surgical consideration with Neurology, Social
Work, Neuropsychology and Neurosurgery of surgical and non-surgical
options.EEG interpretation is also reviewed.
Craniofacial Conference:
Monday 7:45-8:30 am– (optional for CHRMC Resident)
The focus of this conference is to review all craniofacial referrals
to CHRMC. Conference includes a multi-disciplinary team including neurosurgeons,
otolaryngologists, craniofacial plastic surgeons, pediatricians, geneticists,
maxillofacial surgeons, dentists, nurses, social workers and other ancillary
services. Patient referrals are reviewed, evaluated, discussed, and
recommended treatment options are determined for each patient. Scheduled
surgical cases are reviewed and discussed.
Tumor Board Conference:
Wednesday 4:30- 6:00 pm– (mandatory for CHRMC Resident)
The focus of this conference is to review all neuro-oncology patients
referred to CHRMC by a multi-disciplinary team including neurosurgeons,
oncologists, pediatricians, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists,
neurologists, and pathologists. Patient referrals are evaluated, discussed
and a recommended treatment option is determined for each pre and post-operative
patient. Review of pertinent literature and protocols is presented at
this work/didactic conference.

Other Mandatory/Elective Conferences
Program Director’s Conference - The
Program Director meets with the residents one Saturday a month from
8-10AM. This is mandatory for residents and covers both educational issues related to the residency, as well
as a forum to handle resident, faculty and program evaluations and specific
personal educational matters.
Laboratory Conferences - All laboratories
have organized teaching conferences. These conferences frequently involve
review of publications with analysis and critique by the resident/investigator.
The faculty investigator supervises these conferences.
Neurology Grand Rounds - (4:00 - 6:00 pm
at UWMC). This conference is organized by Neurology and is mandatory
for the neurosurgery resident while on the Neurology rotation. Topics,
both clinical and basic, are presented by a variety of speakers.

Wednesday | Site-specific
Conferences | Other Conferences
Introduction
| Program | Clinical
Facilities | Conferences | Academics
| Positions | UW
& Seattle
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