Welcome, prospective residents!

We welcome your interest in the Department of Neurological Surgery Residency Program at UC Davis. We will be conducting in-person interviews for the 2026 Match on December 2 and December 9, 2025 (optional social receptions with our faculty and residents will be held the evening before). We will use Thalamus to send out invitations according to the SNS guidelines. 

Residency Application and Application Timeline

Mission Statement:

The mission of the UC Davis Neurological Surgery Residency Program is to train neurosurgeons in a supportive and positive environment, who will learn to provide state-of-the-art care to their patients while also possessing the tools necessary to help advance the field of neurosurgery through clinical care, research, and teaching. 

Program Aims:

With high surgical volumes, supportive and leading faculty and research colleagues, a dedicated research track and enfolded fellowship options, residency training at UC Davis will prepare you to define the future of neurological surgery.

Graduates of our program will:

• Obtain the clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive, leading-edge neurosurgical care using the latest technologies, including MXR, robotic surgery, LITT, endoscopic spine surgery, etc.
• In PGY4 and PGY6, gain international neurosurgery experience in our program
• Acquire the skills needed to pursue advanced fellowship or research training consistent with their individual career goals.
• Experience designing, conducting and interpreting clinical and basic science research, including the option of focused training and support to become a surgeon-scientist.
• Develop emotionally intelligent leadership skills and personal management skills to support well-being.
• Pursue lifelong learning and possess the skills needed to continue professional development.
• Treat all patients and colleagues with respect, dignity, and compassion at all times.

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program, with two new interns matched to the program each year. The training curriculum is designed to provide our residents with a comprehensive experience in all aspects of neurosurgery, including rotations in neurocritical care, neuroradiology, neurology and otolaryngology (ENT). Below is the current template for the 7-year training program:

The core neurosurgery clinical rotations are completed at UC Davis Health's main campus in Sacramento. Subspecialty elective rotations occur on the main campus and in its nearby clinics, as well as Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, which is located 9 miles from the health system campus.