Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Division of Neurological Surgery of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The mission of the Division of Neurological Surgery, consistent with those of the School of Medicine, is to improve the health of the people of Missouri and the nation by providing excellent health care education with special emphasis on the needs of patients and providers in rural communities and to generate new knowledge through health related research.In order to achieve these goals we aim to provide outstanding patient centered clinical care focusing on the disease processes affecting the neurological system, and for which neurosurgical solutions may be available.

The most important component of the educational mission of the Division of Neurological Surgery is the residency training program in Neurological Surgery.  As a small program, residents have close relationships with each attending which optimizes individualization instruction.  Residents participate in busy and varied clinical neurosurgical practices as well as a diverse didactic curriculum.  Scholarship is encouraged throughout the residency program with each resident expected to participate in research activities to develop new knowledge.

Clinical care encompasses the range of neurosurgical diseases. The major areas of clinical care and research include the following:brain tumors, spinal tumors, pediatric diseases, cerebral vascular diseases, trauma to the head and spine, surgical treatment of seizure disorders, spinal diseases from degeneration and other causes, and hydrocephalus.

In order to achieve excellent patient care, the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics has up-to-date facilities.The Med/Neuro Intensive Care Unit, named after Walter Dandy, a former Medical Student at the University of Missouri, is bright and spacious.  The neurosurgical operating room have up-to-date equipment.A new Varian/Novalis Radiosurgical linear accelerator is available for cranial and spinal radiosurgery.

The faculty in the Division of Neurological Surgery are dedicated to excellent patient care and resident education.  We strive to create an environment where bright, articulate, energetic, compassionate, and skillful residents can develop into highly competent Neurosurgeons.

N. Scott Litofsky, MD, FACS
Professor and Chief
Division of Neurological Surgery
Department of Surgery
University of Missouri Hospitals and Clnics
E-mail:   litofskyn@health.missouri.edu