Blacksburg, Virginia – The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is poised to elevate its surgical department with the introduction of a new focus area.
The institution’s Board of Visitors has approved the establishment of a Department of Neurosurgery, pending validation from the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia. It is anticipated that this new department will pioneer research in the field of neurosurgery and respond to the escalating demand for specialized care within the Roanoke and New River Valley regions.
“The creation of a new Department of Neurosurgery will be a significant milestone in the growth of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Over the past decade and within the Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic expanded its neurosurgery program to include experts in adult, pediatric, endovascular, and complex spinal neurosurgery,” stated Lee Learman, the dean of the medical school.
The School of Medicine, at present, makes provision for a single position annually for seven residents. During the academic year of 2021-22, the institution received an overwhelming 245 applications for its neurosurgery residency program. With the introduction of the new department, the School of Medicine aims to broaden its clinical rotations and elective opportunities, thereby enriching post-medical school residency training through an increase in residency positions.
“The addition of a dedicated Department of Neurosurgery will strengthen our ability to provide comprehensive care to patients in need,” asserted Michael Nussbaum, chair of the Department of Surgery. “By integrating neurosurgery education into our medical curriculum to a greater degree, we are investing in the future of health care in this region and advancing the level of specialized care available.”
In 2018, the School of Medicine earned its position as the ninth fully integrated college at Virginia Tech. Since then, the institution has developed to comprise 11 departments, including the Department of Surgery. The decision to establish a new department was largely influenced by the mounting demand for the existing neurosurgery specialty and residency program, coupled with the need within the region.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine asserts that the establishment of this new department will contribute to a surge in specialized expertise in the region. The ultimate goal is to prepare future physicians with the requisite skills and knowledge to tackle complex neurological conditions and deliver top-notch care.
“Demand for neurosurgical services continues to increase, and adding a new academic department will continue the great momentum happening with health sciences in our region,” said Nancy Howell Agee, Carilion Clinic’s chief executive officer. “Specifically, it will mean enhanced care for our patients and new opportunities for clinical trials, research, ground-breaking innovations, and academic growth, all of which contribute to our region’s growing reputation as a healthcare hub.”
