Barrow Global

About the Barrow Global Program

Neuroscience care in the developing world is challenging. Neurological diseases such as brain tumors, hydrocephalus, and traumatic brain injuries have a tremendous impact on people and society as a whole.

We established Barrow Global in 2021 to help address the health care needs of underserved populations across the globe. This initiative was inspired by the legacy of Dr. Robert Spetzler, who has trained and inspired countless neurosurgeons across the world. Barrow has fostered a learning environment that has attracted over 1,000 neuroscience physicians, advanced practice nurses, scientists, and students since 2007.

We aim to improve access to advanced neurosurgery in the developing world by educating and training physicians and nurses in partnering sites. Through the Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center, we have formed six global programs. The program is under the direction of Dilan Ellegala, MD, and F. David Barranco, MD.

Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center

The Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center is our platform for building neuroscience care and clinical education programs to reach, teach, and serve our colleagues in the developing world. Our goal is to establish bilateral clinical training and research, while developing sustainable capacity in neurological and neurosurgical care through innovation.

The six programs formed under the Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center are:

Several countries and sites defined by the World Bank as low and middle income will be selected as training and mission trip locations. We are excited to launch a partnership with our first training site located in northern Tanzania: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre.

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Presented by Drs. Michael T. Lawton and Soumia Benallag.

Made Possible By the Franke Family

Thanks to the generosity of the Franke family, we are able to expand Barrow’s mission all over the world in countries that can benefit the most from our knowledge and innovation.

Bill Franke is an established businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a lifelong interest in helping provide aid for people in developing countries.

International Visiting Scholars and Clinical Observership Program

The visiting scholar and neuroscience observer program at Barrow Neurological Institute enhances the rigorous academic environment here. International scholars (fully trained neurosurgeons) who visit Barrow for short-term or extended stays greatly improve their understanding of what is possible in advanced clinical neurosurgery, as well as how the latest in neuroscience research translates into patient care.

These scholars in turn enrich our learning environment through the unique international perspective they share with faculty and students on the treatment of neurosurgical patients around the world.

There will be an application cycle twice a year to provide stipend(s) for select international visiting scholars and clinical observers. Applicants must provide a “Statement of Need” and receive approval by our selection committee to be awarded the stipend. The stipend will be granted by financial need and merit for each scholar/observer to obtain clinical experience at Barrow Neurological Institute for a 90-day period.

juan uribe and volker sonntag in the spinal biomechanics laboratory

International Sonntag Spine Center Research Fellowship

This one-year research fellowship in our Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory is offered to international surgeons or surgeons in training.

The position runs from July 1 through the following June 30 and pays biweekly. Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their proposed course of study to Dr. Brian Kelly for consideration.

Franke Global Neurosurgery Research Fellowship

This one-year research fellowship will be offered to international surgeons or surgeons-in-training. The position runs from July 1 through the following June 30 and pays biweekly. More information on this fellowship opportunity will be added to our site in the coming months.

Franke Global Neurosurgery Fellowship

Barrow Neurological Institute is seeking one American board-eligible or board-certified neurosurgeon for a one-year or two-year fellowship in global neurosurgery starting in July 2023 or July 2024.

This fellowship is an integral part of Barrow’s global initiative to promote excellence in neurosurgical care worldwide. The fellow will develop a firm academic and experiential foundation in neurosurgery to treat globally diverse patients.

The fellow will be involved in clinical care, teaching, and research in Moshi, Tanzania, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and in Phoenix, Arizona. This fellowship includes salary, benefits, travel, housing, and language and cultural training. It provides the opportunity to pursue a global health management certification and an MBA concurrently.

Franke Global Undergraduate Internship Program

The summer undergraduate program at Barrow Neurological Institute is a 10- to 12-week internship program offered to undergraduate students from all colleges and universities, nationally and internationally. Students in the program work full time in a research laboratory under the mentorship of a Barrow scientist, actively participating in groundbreaking neuroscience research using the most advanced technologies and equipment.

There are also internship positions offered within the Marketing Department, Neuroscience Publications Department, and Barrow Neurological Foundation. Internships are available in basic science, communications, philanthropy, and disease-relevant neuroscience areas.