Yale neurosurgery program

Organized neurosurgery at Yale began in 1918 with Dr. Sam Harvey. In 1928, Dr. William German became the first surgeon at Yale who was dedicated to neurosurgery. Both of these surgeons were trained by Harvey Cushing, and upon the arrival of Drs. Cushing and Eisenhardt in 1934, Yale developed a strong tradition in surgery of the nervous system. In 1967, Dr. William Collins established a training program for residents that integrated laboratory research and clinical experience. This tradition has continued under the guidance of Dr. Dennis Spencer since 1987. This article provides a brief overview of the history of neurosurgery at Yale, its current practice, and plans for the future.