The Harvard Neurosurgical Service at the Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham & Women's Hospital, 1912-2007

The Harvard Neurosurgical Service at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston has a distinguished history, beginning in 1912 when Dr. Harvey Cushing became surgeon-in-chief at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. After Cushing left in 1932, the Children's Hospital had a dominant role, with the creation and development of pediatric neurosurgery under Franc D. Ingraham, Donald Matson, John Shillito, and Keasley Welch. In 1987, the service at Brigham and Women's Hospital began to grow with the appointment of Dr. Peter Black as chief. In 2000, it became a department. In 2002, the clinical services at the two institutions were large enough to separate, with Dr. Black continuing as academic chair of both. By 2005, the Brigham and Women's Hospital service had 10 neurosurgeons with brain tumor, cerebrovascular, spine, and intensive care unit divisions; the Children's service had 5 neurosurgeons under Dr. Michael Scott. There were also six full-time scientists in the group. Despite reporting on more than 2500 cases a year, the combined service continued to have a strong academic program. This was helped by a residency with two required research years, an academic day each week, faculty committed to research, strong scientific collaborations, and contributions from many visiting neurosurgeons and research fellows. In its first 94 years, the service has been a strong force in clinical, educational, political, and research efforts in neurosurgery.