Welcome to the University of Iowa Neurosurgery Residency Program
Welcome—and thank you for considering the University of Iowa for your neurosurgical training. As Program Director, it is both a privilege and a responsibility to help shape the next generation of neurosurgeons. I am proud to lead one of the most comprehensive, high-caliber training experiences in the country, offering unmatched opportunities in clinical care, research, and professional development.
At Iowa, we don’t just train neurosurgeons—we prepare future leaders, innovators, and educators in academic medicine. Our residents receive rigorous, hands-on training across every neurosurgical subspecialty, including complex cranial and endovascular cases, spine, tumor, functional, pediatric, and peripheral nerve surgery. As the only major academic medical center for hundreds of miles, we care for a broad, high-acuity patient population, and residents are involved in that care from their first day.
Technical excellence is only one part of our mission. We also emphasize clinical judgment, professionalism, communication, and teamwork—skills that are essential to success in any neurosurgical career. Our faculty are highly engaged, nationally recognized educators who work side-by-side with residents in the operating room, clinic, and research settings, providing mentorship and guidance throughout training.
Research is an integral part of our program. Residents are encouraged and supported in pursuing scholarly work in basic science, translational, clinical, and outcomes-based research. We provide protected research time, mentorship, and resources to present at national meetings and publish in high-impact journals, helping residents develop a strong academic foundation.
What distinguishes Iowa is a culture of collaboration, respect, and excellence. Our graduates leave fully prepared for independent practice and equipped with the skills to lead in academic, research, and clinical arenas.
We invite you to explore what makes our program exceptional and to envision how your training and career could flourish here.
Kathleen E. Dlouhy, MD, MBA
Program Director, Neurosurgery Residency
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
The Neurological Surgery Residency at the University of Iowa is a seven-year ACGME-accredited program that is committed to providing the highest quality surgical and scientific training to graduating medical students who have shown the greatest potential to be future leaders of academic neurosurgery.
The intent of the program is to develop world class neurosurgeons. Residents are expected to develop clinical competence by assimilating the teaching provided by the faculty, maintaining an active reading plan for neurosurgical sciences, practicing their clinical and surgical skills, and attending the educational activities offered by the program.
Residents are periodically assessed throughout the seven-year program.
The program is designed in accordance with ACGME core competencies. Residents who complete the program are eligible for certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS).