In August, Carle Health and Carle Illinois College of Medicine held the fifth annual Carle Illinois Microsurgery and Endoscopic Hands-On Course. This multi-day, demonstration-based training course provided participants with expert instruction on advanced brain surgery procedures and developed their skills in a unique training environment.
Headed by Wael Mostafa, MD, PhD, Chief of Neurosurgery and Program Lead for brain tumor and skull-base surgery at Carle Health and course director, this rare educational experience for residents and fellows is attended by neurosurgeons from throughout the country to demonstrate surgical cases, technologies and expertise.
“Both days of the course include lectures and labs, pairing participants with elite neurosurgeons for guidance as they refine their skills in treating skull-based tumors and practicing complex procedures with physical training rather than with virtual simulations,” Dr. Mostafa said. “We’re creating one of the best training opportunities locally in the Midwest with the best tools and technologies to teach what they will be using to treat patients.”
Through the combined efforts of Carle Health, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, this unique learning opportunity is made available each year to advance the field through training. The Carle Health Center for Philanthropy also provided support to the Carle Neuroscience Institute Fund, making this course possible.
Developing the expertise needed for intricate procedures is essential in the training of future neurosurgeons as it helps provide the best care opportunities to the patients they will treat.
“Microsurgery is an advantage for brain surgery and tumor removal because it helps decrease the risk of damage to other areas of the brain,” said Lindy Drollinger, DNP, NP-C, APRN. “This approach can improve patient outcomes, so it’s a privilege to be able to provide this unique training opportunity with world-class faculty.”
Carle Health also offers other educational programs to provide expert training in the field of neurosurgical oncology, like the Clinical Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship. In this program, Dr. Mostafa provides hands-on clinical training as fellows take an active role in patient treatment plans.
“The goal of this program is to train a fellow to be a well-rounded physician who can provide evidence-based and compassionate care,” Dr. Mostafa said. “The fellow selected for this program will build their surgical skills, leaving the fellowship with the ability to evaluate and care for a variety of neurosurgical cases.”
Outside of educational programs, the Brain and Skull Base Tumor Program at Carle Neuroscience Institute is bringing advanced brain tumor care to central Illinois. A multidisciplinary team of expert providers from neurosurgery, oncology, radiation oncology, otolaryngology, oral-maxillofacial surgery, pathology, neuroradiology, and research collaborates to treat complex conditions, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of patients with brain, spine, and skull base tumor cases.
“Advancing healthcare and educational training is at the center of our efforts at Carle Health and the Carle Neuroscience Institute,” Dr. Mostafa said. “Experiences like this ensure the next generation of surgeons have the knowledge and skills to provide the best approach to surgery for each patient, treating a tumor and giving patients the best health outcomes.”
For more information about the advanced services and technologies at the Carle Health Neuroscience Institute, visit Carle.org.
Headed by Wael Mostafa, MD, PhD, Chief of Neurosurgery and Program Lead for brain tumor and skull-base surgery at Carle Health and course director, this rare educational experience for residents and fellows is attended by neurosurgeons from throughout the country to demonstrate surgical cases, technologies and expertise.“Both days of the course include lectures and labs, pairing participants with elite neurosurgeons for guidance as they refine their skills in treating skull-based tumors and practicing complex procedures with physical training rather than with virtual simulations,” Dr. Mostafa said. “We’re creating one of the best training opportunities locally in the Midwest with the best tools and technologies to teach what they will be using to treat patients.”
Through the combined efforts of Carle Health, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, this unique learning opportunity is made available each year to advance the field through training. The Carle Health Center for Philanthropy also provided support to the Carle Neuroscience Institute Fund, making this course possible.Developing the expertise needed for intricate procedures is essential in the training of future neurosurgeons as it helps provide the best care opportunities to the patients they will treat.
“Microsurgery is an advantage for brain surgery and tumor removal because it helps decrease the risk of damage to other areas of the brain,” said Lindy Drollinger, DNP, NP-C, APRN. “This approach can improve patient outcomes, so it’s a privilege to be able to provide this unique training opportunity with world-class faculty.”Carle Health also offers other educational programs to provide expert training in the field of neurosurgical oncology, like the Clinical Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship. In this program, Dr. Mostafa provides hands-on clinical training as fellows take an active role in patient treatment plans.
“The goal of this program is to train a fellow to be a well-rounded physician who can provide evidence-based and compassionate care,” Dr. Mostafa said. “The fellow selected for this program will build their surgical skills, leaving the fellowship with the ability to evaluate and care for a variety of neurosurgical cases.”
Outside of educational programs, the Brain and Skull Base Tumor Program at Carle Neuroscience Institute is bringing advanced brain tumor care to central Illinois. A multidisciplinary team of expert providers from neurosurgery, oncology, radiation oncology, otolaryngology, oral-maxillofacial surgery, pathology, neuroradiology, and research collaborates to treat complex conditions, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of patients with brain, spine, and skull base tumor cases.“Advancing healthcare and educational training is at the center of our efforts at Carle Health and the Carle Neuroscience Institute,” Dr. Mostafa said. “Experiences like this ensure the next generation of surgeons have the knowledge and skills to provide the best approach to surgery for each patient, treating a tumor and giving patients the best health outcomes.”
For more information about the advanced services and technologies at the Carle Health Neuroscience Institute, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare
Tags: Carle, Center, Course, Endoscopic, for, Hands, Illinois, Institute, Microsurgery, Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, On, Philanthropy