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The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois at Peoria conducts daily conferences and teaching rounds that promote scholarly interaction among residents, visiting professors, and attending faculty. 

Clinical Rounds
Conducted twice daily, early morning and again in the evening when all cases are completed in the operating suites.  This is the primary duty of the chief and junior resident.  Rounding with attendings is conducted at their request, and may be done independently of morning rounds depending on the operating room schedule for the day.  Updates on attendings’ patients are often given at the conclusion of conference every morning. 

Grand Rounds 
This is a shared conference, alternating every other week between neurology and neurosurgery at 8 a.m. on Friday.  Recently the department has hosted many distinguished lecturers, including Thomas Gennarelli, Mitch Berger, Albino Briccolo, and Volker Sonntag.  This is attended by all INI faculty, residents, and nurse practitioners, physical and occupational therapists,  and operating room staff. 

Neuroradiology 
This again is a shared conference between neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurology and neurosurgery conducted at 7 a.m. every Friday.  Four to five cases are analyzed in great detail with input from various faculty and residents. 

Journal Club 

Dr. Klopfenstein, Chief of Tumor Section, discussing journal articles with residents and Anne Wagenbach, nurse practitioner.

This is conducted bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 7 a.m.  Key articles are distributed in advance for critical analysis by the residents for further discussion with faculty.  In addition,  monthly there is a spine journal club at the local wine bar, where an informal atmosphere adds more interest to the “typical” conference. 

Neuro-Oncology  
Neuro-Oncology conferences are held monthly on Monday evenings at 5 p.m.  Interesting and controversial cases are presented in the Gamma Knife Center.  Those in attendance include neurosurgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, neuroradiology and neuropathology.  This conference is attended by residents if the operative schedule allows. 

Basic Science 
A faculty member presents a topic, usually of board relevance in a lecture format on a bi-weekly basis.  This is attended by residents and neurosurgery faculty.  Topics in the past have included neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and pathology, and neurology. 

Pre-operative Conference 
Operative cases are discussed and presented by the chief resident every Monday morning at 7 a.m.  This is attended by faculty and residents.  Residents are expected to have some knowledge regarding operative indications and related surgical anatomy of the cases for the coming week.  

Post-operative Conference 
Cases from the previous week are presented by the chief resident every Wednesday morning at 7 am.  This is attended by faculty and residents.  Operative and non-operative outcomes are reviewed with alternatives proposed and critique given regarding management. 

Resident Conference 
Resident conference is a lecture given by the PGY-3 through PGY-6 years, once a month, in a didactic format on every Thursday at 7 a.m.  Topics are as follows: 

PGY-6  Oncology

PGY-5  Vascular

PGY-4  Spine

PGY-3  Pediatrics  

Brain Cutting 
This conference is held on the second Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m.  It is given by Dr. Meena Gujrati, head of neuropathology.  Interesting cases are drawn from neurology and neurosurgery.  This exceptional learning experience, held in a Socratic method format, has proved quite valuable to the residents. 

Morbidity and Mortality 
Held monthly on the first Wednesday at 7 a.m., neurosurgery faculty and residents discuss all cases in a non-confrontational, learning environment.  This is a valuable conference where alternative approaches are suggested and the relevant literature is reviewed regarding complications.