Project Synapse was initially conceived as a youth outreach program intended to expose middle school age children to the nervous system and, concomitantly, to the field of neurological surgery. As a member of the AANS Diversity Committee, it has been a pleasure to work alongside neurosurgical colleagues who recognize the importance of a diverse neurosurgical workforce. Seeing their grassroot efforts has been inspiring; the medical landscape of Chicago suggested that such an effort was a possibility locally.
Project Synapse’s first youth outreach effort took place on December 2, 2022; with the assistance of a local superintendent, Project Synapse was able to offer a one-day introduction to the nervous system for sixth through eighth graders in a community that is historically underrepresented in the neurosurgical workforce. Approximately 11 schools participated and 100 students attended the session. The event started with an introductory 15-minute general session; following this, students further explored the nervous system via stations on the brain, spinal column and cord, autonomic nervous system and reflexes. At the reflex station, the students were given a reflex hammer and taught the reflex examination. Stations were led by neurosurgical residents and the Project Synapse team. A highlight of the event was a first-hand account of a patient status post spinal column and cord injury who underwent surgery and recovered the ability to ambulate. Post event surveys of the students found this patient interaction to be impactful.
As populations diversify, it is imperative that medical specialties concomitantly diversify to meet the needs and changing demographics of the world. Numerous studies have demonstrated superior patient outcomes when patients are treated by practitioners of a similar ethnicity. With incoming medical school classes comprised of at least 50% female students, it is critical that surgical subspecialties — historically male dominated — educate and create a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the US population. Feeding the pipeline at all potential entry points is one way to ensure the future success of the specialty. Project Synapse is just one of many neurosurgeon-led grass root efforts.
Rya Muller is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied Neuroscience and Global Health. Currently working as a clinical research assistant, she will attend Feinberg School of Medicine next August.
Aruna Ganju, MD, FAANS, FACS is an associate professor of neurological surgery at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and the current editor of AANS Neurosurgeon. She is a past chair of the AANS/CNS Section of Women in Neurosurgery (WINS) and Residency Program Director in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her clinical areas of interest are surgical treatment of disorders of the spinal column and cord.
