Creating a Culture of Collaboration: A Brief History of Academic Neurosurgery in Washington, DC.

Abstract

Clinical neurosurgery has been practiced in the US capital for just over 100 years. As former residents and fellows of Drs. Harvey Cushing and Walter Dandy moved to the region, hospitals at Georgetown and George Washington Universities became early adopters of this new surgical discipline. Later academic neurosurgery programs were established at the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed Medical Center, and Children's National Medical Center. Neurosurgical pioneers at these institutions developed new technologies and diagnostic procedures which continue to inform our current practice. In addition, continued collaboration between the multiple training sites in Washington, DC has uniquely enriched our residents' training experience.