Welcome to Rutgers Global Neurosurgery

Rutgers Global Neurosurgery is committed to advancing equitable access to neurosurgical care worldwide through collaborative research, education, and system-strengthening initiatives.

Based within the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers, our team partners with institutions and communities across the globe to address the surgical burden of disease and support sustainable solutions that improve patient outcomes.

We welcome medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career professionals who are passionate about global health, equity, and neurosurgery. Whether you’re interested in research, advocacy, or fieldwork, there are many ways to get involved and make an impact.

Explore our work, connect with our team, and join us in shaping the future of global neurosurgery.

A Message from Anil Nanda, MD, MPH, Director of Global Neurosurgery

Over a century ago, Sir William Osler believed in maintaining calm and balance, what he called “Aequanimitas”, in the face of the challenges and stresses of the profession. Neurosurgery is often defined by precision and discipline. But beyond the microscope and the scalpel lies a deeper responsibility, the pursuit of compassionate equity in care. In global neurosurgery, we are reminded each day that our mission reaches far beyond the walls of the operating room. It is a mission rooted in dignity. It is driven by equity. It is sustained by a commitment to honor the shared humanity of every patient, everywhere in the world.

At Rutgers Global Neurosurgery, we find ourselves at a moment of possibility. Across continents, from busy cities to rural hospitals, the need for timely, safe, and affordable neurosurgical care is profound. The gaps are real. Yet I believe this is our moment. In the face of these disparities, we light candles of empathetic collaboration, kind mentorship, and scientific discovery.

This initiative is not just a department or a research program. It is a call to conscience.

We are creating a space where the next generation of surgeons, scholars, and changemakers can build bridges between hemispheres through research, advocacy, and meaningful exchange. Ubuntu, the African philosophy of “I am because we are,” speaks to the heart of our mission. We are all connected by the shared pursuit of healing. Neurosurgery, at its best, is not practiced in silos but in solidarity.

We welcome all who feel this calling. Students seeking direction, residents yearning to serve, and global colleagues bringing insight and inspiration from every corner of the world. Join us on this journey not only to learn but to transform.

Sincerely,
Anil Nanda, MD, MPH

Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School & Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Peter W. Carmel, MD, Endowed Chair of Neurological Surgery

Director of Global Neurosurgery

Editor-in-Chief, WFNS Journal