Department Structure

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCNS) consists of three clinical divisions, Neurosurgery, Neurology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR), and one basic research division, called Experimental Neurosciences. Each division has a leader and Head – Dr. Rajiv Midha (Neurosurgery), Dr. Samuel Wiebe (Neurology), Dr. Christine McGovern (PMR) and Dr. Bin Hu (Experimental Neurosciences). Collectively, members of DCNS are actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, with Royal College of Canada approved residency training programs in Neurosurgery, Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition, many of the subspecialty programs in Clinical Neurosciences attract clinical fellows from other Canadian Centres and abroad. Members of the Department also teach clinical skills to advanced practice nurses and to other health professionals, and directly supervise graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows. Clinical Neurosciences now includes over 70 primary members many of whom are also members of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

Inpatient and outpatient services, including neurosurgical services for adults and children, are provided at the Foothills Medical Centre, the Rockyview General Hospital, and at the new Alberta Children’s Hospital. Outpatient and consultation services are provided at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC) and the Peter Lougheed Centre. Medical services are also provided at the Chronic Pain Centre and at the Fanning Centre. The Department also provides limited neurological outreach services to the Chinook and Palliser Health Regions (Neurology consultations only). Research programs are based at the Foothills Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Tom Baker Cancer Centre, especially in partnership with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute and the Institute of Maternal and Child Health.

Clinical Neurosciences is one of 20 academic Departments of the Faculty of Medicine and one of 14 Regional Clinical Departments of Alberta Health Services in Calgary. With regard to University matters, principally research and education, the Department Head of Clinical Neurosciences reports to the Dean of Medicine. For patient care and clinical service delivery issues, the Department Head of Clinical Neurosciences reports to the Zone Medical Director, Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services. In regard to academic recruitment, training and research development and support, the Department Head of Clinical Neurosciences works in concert with the Institute Directors, especially the Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Departmental affairs are conducted by two senior committees: the Academic Executive Committee, which is chaired by the Department Head, and by the Clinical Executive Committee, which is co-chaired by the Director of Neurosciences, Trauma and Emergency Services of Alberta Health Services in Calgary and the Deputy Department Head of Clinical Neurosciences, currently the Head of Neurosurgery.
Patient care and research occur seamlessly in Clinical Neurosciences through the use of multidisciplinary teams in areas such as Stroke Care, Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Spinal Disorders and many others.