The Department of Neurological Surgery is comprised of 11 full-time clinician/scientists dedicated to patient care, patient education, and scholarly activities. In 1980, it was the first Department in the United States to establish specific divisions dedicated to focused areas of neurological surgery (Cerebral Aneurysms, Brain tumors, Pituitary tumors, Spinal Surgery, Gamma knife and Cyberknife treatment). This allowed members of the department to develop internationally recognized expertise within specific areas of Neurosurgery.

Today the department has divisions of Cerebrovascular Surgery (stroke, cerebral aneurysm, AVM ) , Neuro-Oncology (brain tumors), Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma knife, Cyberknife ) and Functional Neurosurgery , Endovascular Neurosurgery , Skull Base Surgery, Neuro-endocrine Surgery (Pituitary Tumors), Complex Spine Surgery (Spinal Surgery), Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Neuro-trauma and Pediatric Neurosurgery.

USC's Department of Neurological Surgery is one of the few departments in the country in which Endovascular Neurosurgery and Cerebrovascular neurosurgery are housed in the same department, which offers the best options to patients with cerebrovascular disease. This program has resulted in recognition of six of the members of our faculty being included in the prestigious list of "Best Doctors in America".