Mass General Brigham Neurosurgery Residency Program

Overview

Dear Applicants,

We are thrilled to welcome you to Mass General Brigham Neurosurgery. In 2025, the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Departments of Neurosurgery merged to become Mass General Brigham Neurosurgery. Shortly after, a new integrated Mass General Brigham Neurosurgical Residency program was approved by the ACGME. We matched our first class into the integrated program in March 2026.

The MGB Neurosurgery Residency program is one of the largest, most influential, and impactful departments in the world with unprecedented resources and opportunities for trainees. Our neurosurgeons are national and international leaders in every subspeciality of neurosurgery. Our mission is to deliver the highest-quality education, best clinical care led by scientific discovery and innovation.

We are honored that you are interested in our program. Please let us know how we can support your path to becoming a neurosurgeon and leader.

All my best,

E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD

Curriculum

Clinical training

Our neurosurgical residents are exposed to high clinical volume, direct patient care and are expected to gain mastery of clinical and operative skills under the guidance of experienced attending neurosurgeons. It is essential that residents are exposed to each subspecialty in sufficient depth and breadth to become fully competent. Every trainee receives a focused experience in each of the main subspecialties, working in close conjunction with an expert senior attending physician who is a leader focused in brain tumor, vascular, functional, pediatric, peripheral nerve, skull-base or spine.

Neurosurgical training starts PGY-1 year with rotations in the NICU, neurosciences, pediatrics, and fundamental clinical skills training in the surgical sub-specialties of trauma and plastic surgery with general surgery. For full program details, including faculty, resident and alumni listings and information about the four clinical sites, view our program brochure:

Program overview

The intern year (PGY 1) provides a broad exposure to all neurosurgical disciplines, including tumor, vascular, trauma, functional, spine, pediatrics and neurocritical care. Residents in their elective years (PGY 4/PGY 5) perform laboratory-based research, pursue clinical fellowships, or obtain additional degrees.

Educational opportunities

Resident educational opportunities are an integral part of the program. Residents are encouraged to attend neurosurgical courses throughout their training in their chosen sub-specialty. The program encourages and sponsors residents to present their research at neurosurgery grand rounds and at national conferences including the American Association of Neurosurgical Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and sub-specialty section meetings.

In addition, Mass General Brigham residents play an important role educating more junior colleagues and mentoring Harvard Medical Students and its AANS Chapter to host neurosurgical lectures, teach neuroanatomy, introduce surgical skills, and host monthly educational events.

Research Experience

Residents are provided two years dedicated to research, clinical fellowship, or in pursuit of an advanced degree. Research opportunities in Boston are abundant and include those at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Broad Institute, Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School (HMS), Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University (HSPH), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

How to Apply

Contact: Neurosurgeryeducation@mgb.org

Faculty Contacts

• E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD, Department Chair
• Brian V. Nahed, MD, MSc., Vice Chair of Education and Program Director
• Wenya Linda Bi, MD, PhD, Site Director
• Christopher Stapleton, MD, Site Director
• John Chi, MD, MPH, Assistant Program Director
• Bryan Choi, MD, PhD, Assistant Program Director
• Kevin Huang, MD, Assistant Program Director
• Ganesh Shankar, MD, PhD, Assistant Program Director