Northwestern Medicine: Defining the Future of Neurosurgery

Patients from across the United States and the world choose Northwestern Medicine for complex brain and spine surgery. Our leadership in volume, quality and research reflects a singular mission: to provide the best possible care for every patient everywhere.

A National Leader With Global Reach

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, our anchor hospital in Chicago, is the only Illinois hospital on the national U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll for 14 straight years, and is ranked No. 6 in the United States for Neurology and Neurosurgery.¹ Northwestern Medicine has the leading neurosurgery program in Illinois and one of the busiest in the United States. Our reach extends far beyond U.S. borders. Each year, our Neurosciences team cares for patients from 49 states and 28 countries.

Exceptional Quality and Outcomes

Our results speak for themselves and resonate globally:

• Our median survival rate for patients with glioblastoma is twice the U.S. national average²
• Among top comprehensive academic medical centers in the U.S., we rank:

1. No. 5 for length of stay, an indicator of efficient, high-quality care³
2. No. 6 for patient survival and case mix index, which measures expected mortality, patient complexity, severity and resource intensity³

These achievements highlight our ability to deliver superior outcomes for even the most challenging cases.

Driving Global Innovation Through Research

Innovation is at the heart of Northwestern Medicine. We are consistently recognized as a leader in neurology and neurosurgery research that is shaping the future of the field. Through the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern Medicine, we are also setting new standards of care for patients with brain tumors. Our research portfolio spans clinical trials, translational studies and international collaborations, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technologies:

Ranked among the top 10 nationally for National Institutes of Health funding in neurology and neurosurgery, securing $45 million for leading-edge research⁴

One of only six institutions in the U.S. awarded a brain tumor SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute, accelerating new therapies for brain tumors

Home to one of the largest brain and spine tumor clinical trial portfolios in the U.S.

Among two centers worldwide to use ultrasound to deliver chemotherapy and immunotherapy directly to the brain to treat malignant brain tumors

Our collaboration with departments across Northwestern Medicine, including with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, combined with our expanding portfolio of clinical trials enables us to keep pushing the boundaries of neurosurgery.

Advanced Technologies Drive Better Outcomes

Northwestern Medicine leverages some of the most advanced technologies in the world to improve patient safety and outcomes.

We were among the first globally to offer methylation profiling for diagnosing and treating brain tumors, enabling more precise and personalized care. One of only a few in the U.S., our state-of-the-art hybrid operating room suite combines a traditional surgical environment with advanced imaging technologies such as CT, MRI and high-quality fluoroscopy, all within the same space.

This allows our surgeons to perform both open surgical procedures and minimally invasive interventions without moving the patient, reducing risk and improving efficiency.  These innovations make it possible to deliver the highest level of care with greater accuracy and outcomes.

Why Patients and Physicians Worldwide Choose Northwestern Medicine

Patients and referring physicians across the globe choose Northwestern Medicine because we combine unparalleled expertise, proven outcomes and compassionate care. Our team includes internationally recognized physicians and scientists who collaborate to deliver comprehensive, research-driven treatment plans. Our integrated approach ensures every patient benefits from the latest science, advanced technology and a dedicated team committed to the best possible outcomes and quality of life, no matter where they live.

SOURCES

1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026
2. Internal data and SEER Research Data, 8 Registries, Nov 2023 Sub (1975-2021). Data from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2024, with cutoff of survival length at 84 months. Accessed May 2025.
3. Vizient Clinical Data Base/Resource Manager
4. National Institutes of Health FY24 data