Neurosurgery Residency Program
Tufts Medical Center’s Neurosurgery Residency Program in Boston teaches bedside and operating room techniques to neurosurgery residents.
Neurosurgery Residency Program

Outstanding clinical training and surgical experience

The Neurosurgery Residency Program at Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC) in downtown Boston provides outstanding clinical training and surgical experience to residents.

Attending physicians focus on teaching bedside and operating room techniques, while encouraging progressive independence in clinical decisions and the performance of surgery. At the end of their training, residents are familiar with a wide range of surgical procedures. In addition, we increasingly emphasize the interaction between clinical and the basic sciences and ask that all residents participate in research activities.

Although the neurosurgical service at Tufts MC is very busy, with over 1,700 annual procedures performed, attending and house staff have a close and collegial relationship. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are closely collaborating with attendings and residents to make sure we meet our clinical demands.
Contact info
user
Aurora Adams, BA, C-TAGME
Residency Coordinator, Neurosurgery

How to apply

Application materials should be submitted no later than October 1st. The following information must be submitted to ERAS by the deadline in order for your application to be considered complete:

  • ERAS Application form
  • Curriculum Vitae, including any honors, publications and presentations
  • Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) or Dean’s Letter
  • Official medical school transcript
  • USMLE scores (Step I required, Step II and III if available). COMLEX scores are accepted.
  • A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation; two (2) should be from Neurosurgeons. It is recommended that the letters be written by someone who is very familiar with your clinical work and who is accustomed to writing letters of recommendation (Clerkship Director, Program Director, Director of Service or a senior clinician)
  • Personal Statement
  • Photograph
  • ECFMG certificate (for foreign medical grads)

To initiate your application and obtain information regarding dates and other key details, visit:

Interviews this year will take place in person, details to come later. The application is standardized with SNS recommendation letters including letters from surgery rotation chairman or program director letter.

We will work with applicants in selecting an interview date that is most convenient and best coordinated to accommodate multiple Boston or nearby interview sites.
International medical graduates

We accept foreign graduates who are highly qualified and have competitive USMLE scores. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information regarding requirements for IMGs.

For more information, visit:

Opportunities
Rotations

The Tufts Medical Center Neurosurgery Program is a seven-year program and includes:

  • Fifty-one months of clinical neurosurgery
  • Twelve months of research or enfolded fellowship
  • Six months of elective time (neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuro-opthalmology)
  • Three months of radiosurgery and interventional neurosurgery and outpatient clinics
  • Residents have two off-site rotations: 3months of functional and deep brain simulation at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts and six months of dedicated pediatric neurosurgery at Boston Children's Hospital

Physician extenders (eight physician assistants) help with inpatient discharge paperwork, progress notes, inpatient and ED consults and day-to-day patient management. Four nurse practitioners and one physician assistant work in the outpatient clinic and also help with notes, phone calls and outpatient patient management.
Curriculum

Residents are given progressive clinical responsibility both in and out of the operating room. Mentors are assigned in the research areas to facilitate residents’ research goals. The resident may develop his or her own project or participate in ongoing projects. The medical school core neuroscience group and the basic scientists in the neurosurgery department serve as teachers and consultants for this research.

Annual Intern Boot Camp

The Department of Neurosurgery at Tufts Medical Center has hosted the Annual SNS Intern Boot Camp Fundamental Skills Course since its inaugural year 2010.

This course, sponsored by the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS), the oldest neurosurgical society in the world, brings together approximately thirty interns from nineteen neurosurgical residency programs from the northeast region for two days of lectures and hands-on procedural and simulation sessions.

The course curriculum includes lectures given by Tufts faculty and faculty from other institutions including Yale, Rutgers, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Lahey Hospital and Columbia University.

The lectures and hands-on procedural and simulation sessions introduce important principles of neurosurgical care to entering PGY-1 residents. The Department of Neurosurgery at Tufts Medical Center is honored to be the annual host of this unique educational experience for incoming neurosurgery residents of the Northeast region.
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp
  • Neurosurgery Residency Intern Bootcamp

    • Benefits + resident life

    Residents complete their training at Tufts Medical Center, a world-class academic medical center located in Boston and the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. It also sponsors nineteen specialty ACGME-accredited clinical training programs.

    Tufts Medical Center is a 415-bed robust organization, providing everything from routine medical care to treating the most complex diseases affecting adults.

    Tufts Medical Center provides heart, kidney and bone marrow transplants, is a level I trauma center, provides comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical care, and offers cutting-edge cancer treatments.

    Tufts Medical Center is also home to The Boston Gamma Knife Center, the first and only Gamma Knife Center in Massachusetts and northern New England.
    Life as a resident

    What’s it like to live in Boston? It’s an epicenter for health, science and medical research – where visions are born and discoveries are made. With universities on every corner, intellectuals, scientists and artists mingle to create an exceptional culture.

    It’s also a fun city that takes its sports teams seriously, but not much else. In the spring and summer, you can enjoy festivals, outdoor concerts and cultural gatherings. Plus, many neighborhoods are booming with art, restaurants and music. Need to get away? Boston is a short trip from beautiful beaches, mountains and lakes.

    It’s the perfect mix of urban culture, a small town feel and outdoor beauty.

    Learn more about what it’s like to live in Boston

    About the Department of Neurosurgery

    The Department of Neurosurgery has recently completed a renovation and expansion program supported by the Cam Neely Foundation. The hospital is located in the center of a rapidly changing area of Boston. The center abuts the theater district and Chinatown near the financial district. The medical center campus is adjacent to the Jean Mayer Regional Nutrition Center and the Tufts Dental School. The Tufts Medical School is also in the same campus facilitating research and interdisciplinary conferences.
    Salary + Benefits

    For Salary/Benefits information, please visit the the GME Applicants page.

     

    Faculty, residents + alumni
    Faculty

    Ron I. Riesenburger, MD
    Title(s): Interim Chairman and Director, Spine Center; Co-Chief, Division of Spinal Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts Medical Center; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.8484
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformity and scoliosis, complex and reconstructive spine surgery, pinched nerves, sciatica, spinal stenosis, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumors, radiculopathy, and myelopathy

    Julian K. Wu, MD
    Title(s): Associate Chairman, Neurosurgery; Chief, Neurosurgical Oncology; Neurosurgery Residency Program Director; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.4500
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Neuro-oncology, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, gliomas, brain metastasis, trigeminal neuralgia

    Carl B. Heilman, MD
    Title(s): Chief of Skull Base Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts Medical Center; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.5860
    Fax #: 617-636-7587
    Meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, skull base surgery, pituitary surgery, Chiari surgery

    Jason M. Frerich, MD, MPH
    Title(s): Neurosurgeon
    Department(s): Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery Center
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.8686
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Management of all spinal conditions, from the straightforward to the complex, and with the goal of providing compassionate care and the least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition.

    James Kryzanski, MD
    Title(s): Chief, Division of Epilepsy Surgery; Co-Chief, Division of Spine Surgery; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.8585
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Epilepsy neurosurgery, skull base surgery, pituitary surgery, neurovascular surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, neurosurgical disorders in patients with achondroplasia, neurosurgical disorders in patients with Down syndrome

    Adel M. Malek, MD, PhD
    Title(s): Chief, Neurovascular Surgery; Director, Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Division Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.8200
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural fistulas, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial atherosclerosis, arterial dissection

    Marie Roguski, MD, MPH
    Title(s): Neurosurgeon; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.5878
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Neurosurgical oncology, degenerative spinal disorders, brain and spinal tumors, including primary, metastatic, and benign conditions (glioma, metastasis, meningioma, schwannoma), degenerative spinal disorders, including myelopathy, herniated spinal discs, and lumbar stenosis, and their treatment with minimally invasive spinal surgery, spinal fusion, and microdiscectomy,

    Mina Safain, MD
    Title(s): Chief of Neurosurgery,  Melrose Wakefield Hospital; Neurosurgeon, Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Department(s): Neurosurgery
    Appt. Phone: 617.636.5860
    Fax #: 617.636.7587
    Pituitary tumors, brain tumors, meningiomas, minimally invasive spine surgery, complex and reconstructive spine surgery, spinal microsurgery, spinal trauma
    PGY-7
    Michael Yang

    Michael Yang, MD
    Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
    Undergrad: University of Colorado
    PGY-5
    Jacob Kosarchuk

    Jacob Kosarchuk, MD 
    Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School of the Medical College of Hampton Roads 
    Undergrad: University of California Santa Cruz

     

    Alper Dincer

    Alper Dincer, MD 
    Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 
    Undergrad: Bucknell University

     
    PGY-4
    John Herendeen

    John Herendeen, MD 
    Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School 
    Undergrad: Boston College

     

    M. Harrison Snyder

    Matthew Harrison Snyder, MD 
    Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine 
    Undergrad: Brigham Young University

     
    PGY-3
    Anthony Yu

    Anthony Yu, MD
    Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
    Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
    PGY-2
    Scott Flynn

    Scott Flynn
    Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
    Undergrad: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

     

     

    Omar Sorour

    Omar Sorour
    Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
    Undergrad: Harvard University
    PGY-1
    Luna Zeanaaronevan

    Luna Zeanaaronevan
    Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
    Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
    Alumni
    Shane Burke, MD, MBA2024Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Fellowship Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
    Tara Jayde Nail, MD2023Tufts Medical Center
    Richard Dowd, MD2022Southcoast Health
    Max Shutran, MD2021Stamford health/Columbia U
    Rob Heller, MD2020Albany Medical Center
    Rich Ogbuji, MD2019Baystate Medical Center
    Marie Roguski2017Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor at Tufts Medical Center
    Mina Safain2016Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor at Tufts Medical Center
    Jason Rahal2015South Shore Hospital, Weymouth, MA
    William Miele2014Kaiser Permanente of Washington
    Ami Raval2013Grand View Health in PA
    Abraham Boskovitz2012Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA
    Haran Ramachandran2011Lahey Hospital, Burlington, MA
    Clemens Schirmer2010System Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
    Steven Hwang2009Shriners Hospital for Children, PA
    Daniel Hoit2009Semmes Murphy Clinic, Memphis, TN
    Ron Riesenburger*2008Neurosurgeon, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, Director of the Spine Center
    Vasilios Zerris2007Chairman, Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece
    Justin Paquette2006Paquette Spine Insititute, Beverly Hills, CA
    James Kryzanski*2005Chief, Division of Epilepsy Surgery; Neurosurgeon, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
    Samuel Kim2004Weill Cornell Spine & Brain Center, New York
    Tina Lin2003Kaiser Permanente, Anahiem, CA
    Lyndell Wang2002Kaiser Permanente, Redwood City, CA
    Neil Troffkin2001Owensboro Health, Owensboro, KY & St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville, IN
    Mark Friedberg2000Neurosurgical Consultants, Inc. Norwood, MA
    David Estin1998Columbia Neurosurgeons, West Long Branch, NJ
    Frank Vrionis1998Chief of Neurosurgical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
    Michael Gieger1997Neurosurgical Consultants, Inc. Norwood, MA
    Jonathan Borden1996Riverhills Neuroscience- Montgomery, Cincinnati, OH
    Patrick Roth1995Chairman of Neurosurgery; Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
    Carl Heilman*1994Neurosurgeon-in-Chief; Chairman of Neurosurgery;Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
    Robin Koeleveld1993Rex Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists; UNC Health Care, NC
    Samuel Neff1992St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA; Deceased 2005
    John Wilson1991Wake Forest Baptist Health Center, Winston-Salem, NC
    Kenneth Renkens1990Indiana Spine Group; Carmel, IN
    Stanley Pugsley1989Neurosurgery Geisinger, Scranton, PA
    Gerald McGillicuddy1988UMass Memorial Medical Center; Worcester, MA
    Julian Wu*1988Associate Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery; Chief, Division of Neurosurgical Oncology at Tufts Medical Center
    Jeffrey Yablon1987UCSF; Napa, CA
    Ramon Batson1987Chief of Neurosurgery, Neurological Associates of Southwestern CT; Norwalk & Danbury, CT
    Joel Abramovitz1984St. John Neurosurgical Center; Tulsa, OK
    Thomas Peterson1983Hackensack UMC; Hackensack, NJ
    Eduardo Mercado1982Deceased
    Brad Selland1981President, Bradford Distillery; Hingham, MA
    Rodney Rozario1980Eastern Maine Medical Center; Bangor, ME
    Volkar Sonntag1978Barrow Neurological Associates; Phoenix, AZ; Retired 2010
    Eddy Garrido1977Lancaster Neuroscience & Spine Associates; Lancaster, PA

    *= Tufts Medical Center Faculty