The 12-month internship year is separated into 6 modules.

• 3 months in critical care
• 1 month in neurology
• 1 month in neuropathology
• 1 month in neuroradiology
• 1 month in anesthesia
• 5 months in neurosurgery

THE INTERN WILL

• coordinate with a faculty mentor to formulate a research project;
• become knowledgeable in the physiology of pre and post operative care and develop a knowledge base in surgical disease pertaining to various organ systems;
• serve on-call as required by the rotations in compliance with regulations;
• show evidence of learning and undertaking progressively responsible patient management;
• and take the ABNS written boards for practice.

12 months are spent in clinical neurosurgery at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.

THE RESIDENT WILL 

• become comfortable with minor neurosurgical procedures, specifically lumbar puncture, external ventricular drain placement, and burr hole placement;
• develop a knowledge base of basic and clinical neurosurgery, including a thorough understanding of basic neurological examinations for spinal cord injury, the criteria for brain death determination, the anatomy of the cranial vault, leptomeninges, subarachnoid space, and major cerebral blood vessels, and the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of cranial nerves and spinal cord; 
• learn fundamentals of head trauma, spinal cord injury, and critical care management;
• become proficient in basic radiosurgery planning;
• discuss a preliminary individual learning plan with the Chairman; 
• publish 2 papers;
• teach medical students in lecture and daily rounds; 
• take the ABNS written boards for practice;
• and show evidence of learning and undertake progressively responsible patient management.

The third year of the program is divided into two modules.

• 6 months are spent in clinical neurosurgery at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport
• 6 months are spent at the VA Medical Center in Shreveport

THE RESIDENT WILL 

• become comfortable with basic cranial and spine surgery in both adult and pediatric patients, assuming a more active role in the OR;
• further develop a knowledge base in clinical neurosurgery and critical care;
• augment skills in managing complex neurosurgical conditions such as head and spinal cord trauma, aneurysms, and other neurovascular disorders, and skull base tumors;
• become comfortable with simple and complex planning for stereotactic radiosurgery procedures;
• serve on-call including 6 months at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and 6 months at the VA Hospital;
• discuss and revise (as necessary) an individual learning plan with the Chairman;
• publish 2 papers;
• teach medical student in lecture and on daily rounds;
• take the ABNS written board for practice;
• and show evidence of learning and undertake progressively responsible patient management.

The fourth year of the program is separated into 2 modules to increase the resident's exposure to a variety of cases and patients. 

• 6 months are spent in clinical neurosurgery at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport
• 6 months are spent at hospitals within the Willis-Knighton Health System

THE RESIDENT WILL 

• become comfortable with most neurosurgical cases and perform surgery with moderate supervision;
• develop a deeper understanding of the differences in treating pediatric patients;
• learn modes of seizure localization and understand the principles in management of movement disorders;
• become proficient in the comprehensive management of all categories of neurosurgical patients, including those with cerebrovascular disorders;
• continue building on critical care patient management skills;
• serve on-call with 6 months with Willis Knighton Health System and 6 months with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Medical Center; 
• discuss and revise (as necessary) the individual learning plan with the Chairman;
• publish 2 papers;
• teach medical students in lecture and on daily rounds;
• develop an organized plan for the research year;
• take and pass the ABNS written boards for credit;
• and show evidence of learning and undertake progressively responsible patient management.

12 months are spent on research and electives.

THE RESIDENT WILL

• complete a research project;

• be involved in basic science neuro labs;

• complete an anatomical project in the Skull Base Lab;
• complete a spine project in the Biomechanics Lab;
• discuss and revise the individual learning plan with the Chairman;
• take the ABNS written boards for credit if not passed in the PGY-4 year;
• publish 2 papers;
• and teach medical students in lecture.

12 months are spent as a Senior Resident at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.

THE RESIDENT WILL

• perform most neurosurgical cases with minimal supervision;
• develop a knowledge base concerning more complex neurosurgical procedures, focusing attention on sub-specialties; 
• show thorough knowledge of the management of trauma, spine, and complex cerebrovascular patients;
• have an appropriate understanding of advanced neuro-critical care and knowledge of the biomechanics of the spine, cranial base anatomy, and management of all tumors encountered in neurosurgical practice;
• demonstrate proficiency in stereotactic radiosurgery planning and treatment;
• continue building on critical care patient management skills;
• formulate evidence-based treatment plans;
• publish a research project and at least 1 additional paper;
• teach medical students in lecture and on daily rounds;
• and show evidence of learning and understanding progressively responsible patient management.

12 months are spent as Chief Resident at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.

THE RESIDENT WILL

• perform all neurosurgical approaches with minimal supervision, performing independently with attending physicians acting as consultants;
• demonstrate independent proficiency in stereotactic radiosurgery planning and treatment and critical care patient management;
• adequately function as Chief Resident, showing a mastery of administrative duties;
• create call and leave schedules;
• and teach medical students in lecture and on daily rounds.