Barrow Neurosurgery Residency Retains No. 1 Doximity Ranking
For the second consecutive year, the Doximity Residency Navigator has ranked Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona as having the No. 1 neurosurgery residency program in the United States.
As an online networking service for medical professionals, Doximity updates its Residency Navigator each year to empower graduating medical students to make informed decisions when applying for residency programs in various specialties. According to Doximity’s website, approximately 90 percent of graduating fourth-year medical students use this directory.
The 2025-26 rankings culminate satisfaction surveys of current residents and recent alumni, nominations by board-certified physicians within each specialty, and objective data from various public sources.
“Retaining the Doximity ranking as the top residency training program in America is a huge deal,” said Barrow President and CEO and Chair of Neurosurgery Michael T. Lawton, MD. “We strive to create a culture of technical excellence, innovative training, and close mentorship to attract talent, bring out the best in residents, and produce tomorrow’s leaders.”
The Barrow Difference
With 11 dedicated neurosurgery operating rooms, two neuroendovascular suites, and more than 6,370 surgeries performed annually, Barrow exposes its 28 neurosurgery residents to a high volume of brain and spine cases, ranging from routine to complex.
Barrow residents also enjoy graduated autonomy under the mentorship of leading subspecialized neurosurgeons, as well as ample opportunities to innovate and publish. Additionally, with the recent launch of Barrow Global, the Institute offers unique global neurosurgery experience to interested residents. This initiative allows residents to collaborate with other trainees and surgeons in developing nations, and work toward a common goal of improving access to neurosurgical care around the world.
The Barrow Neurosurgery Residency Program also celebrates its “work hard; play hard” culture. The camaraderie extends beyond the walls of the operating room, whether the residents and faculty are competing on the softball fields of New York City’s Central Park or testing their grit in the depths of Arizona’s canyons. Even as leadership has changed over the years, residents continue to partake in time-honored traditions, like the “Hike from Hell” every fall and the “Barrow Olympics” every spring.
“The Doximity rankings reflect our prioritization and commitment to giving residents the tools and environment to become top neurosurgeons,” said Neurosurgery Residency Program Coordinator Francisco Ponce, MD. “At Barrow Neurological Institute, we truly have an amazing and inspiring group of residents. If I were a medical student today, this would be the team I would want to join.”