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Residency and Fellowships / History - Residency and Fellowships: Neurosurgery

The UCLA Medical Center Neurosurgical Training Program began in 1955 with Dr. W. Eugene Stern as the first chairman.

 

  Donald P. Becker, M.D.

 

Donald P. Becker, M.D.

   

UCLA has been at the cutting edge of integration of technology and neurosurgery. Dr. Robert Rand was one of the first to pioneer the use of the operative microscope, helping establish the field of microneurosurgery. He also helped establish stereotactic surgery at UCLA, creating lesions for tremor, Parkinson's, epilepsy and pain syndromes with cryotherapy. With extensive collaboration with endovascular therapists, Dr. Gulgielmi helped develop the Guglielmi Detachable Coil for aneurysm ablation that is widely used today for minimally invasive aneurysm therapy.

With strong ancillary facilities, the University became an early leader in the surgical treatment of epilepsy and in the development of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. The 1978 issue of Surgical Neurology by Dr. Paul Bucy listed UCLA in the top seven neurosurgical training programs (out of 92) in the country. This ranking was largely due to the strong diagnostic and teaching acumen of Dr. Stern, American Association of Neurological Surgeons President (1979-80) and the 1992 Cushing Medalist of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

In 1985, Dr. Donald P. Becker became the Department Chairman. Dr. Becker established a programmatic approach, developing Centers of Excellence and recruiting subspecialists from the United States and around the world. The faculty grew, as did the surgical caseload and residency training program. In addition to developing a highly academic and active clinical service, Dr. Becker also promoted a strong basic research foundation for the Division with the purpose of encouraging the training of academic neurosurgeons.

In 2002, Dr. Neil Martin took over the role as Chairman and has the great responsibility of moving UCLA Neurosurgery forward into the 21st century. Unique opportunities are presented by burgeoning new technologies and biomedical advances. Dr. Martin is exceptionally qualified to seize these opportunities given his expertise in information technology applications to neurosurgical issues, coupled with his nearly 20 years experience at UCLA.

Today the Department trains clinicians and basic scientists from around the globe. In addition to the formal residency program, research and clinical fellowships are offered in several subspecialties. There are currently more than five postdoctoral students completing studies in basic neurosciences as well as visiting scholars from Europe, Asia, and South America.