Neuroanatomy Lab
Advancing Neurosurgery & Surgical Training
The Neuroanatomy Lab at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI), located within the Saint John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, is a premier research and teaching facility dedicated to advancing surgical excellence.
Under the direction of Garni Barkhoudarian, MD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, the lab provides hands-on training for neurosurgery fellows, residents, practicing surgeons, and international visitors. With a mission that extends beyond brain surgery, the Neuroanatomy Lab serves as a unique hub for multidisciplinary surgical skills, education, research, and innovation.
State-of-the-Art Surgical Training Environment
Opened in March 2020, the 1,000-square-foot facility is equipped with:
- Modular surgical workstations for cadaveric dissection and simulation.
- Training opportunities across neurosurgery, brain, skull base, pituitary, orbital/eye, ENT, spine, orthopedic, cardiothoracic, robotic (urology, gastrointestinal, gynecology), and other specialties.
- High-definition video streaming capabilities to extend teaching worldwide.
- Support from industry partners for testing and developing leading-edge surgical devices.
Lab Manager Josh Emerson, BS, MFA, provides expert guidance with dissections and also serves as PNI’s medical illustrator and animator, enhancing both education and research output.
For the Next Generation of Surgeons
The Neuroanatomy Lab is designed to support the next generation of surgeons while also offering advanced learning for experienced specialists. Training opportunities include:
- Neurosurgical Anatomy Courses focused on minimally invasive and keyhole surgical approaches for brain, skull base, and pituitary tumors.
- Fellowship and Research Training for U.S. and international neurosurgery fellows, residents, and students.
- Hands-on Surgical Skills Development for visiting surgeons to refine complex procedures in a safe and supportive environment.
- Industry Collaboration with surgical device companies to improve and innovate surgical tools.
This unique learning environment gives surgeons the opportunity to practice tumor removal from hard-to-reach areas of the brain through the smallest possible openings, minimizing risks to surrounding healthy tissue.
Global Reach & Educational Impact
As one of the few multidisciplinary surgical skills labs in Los Angeles, the Neuroanatomy Lab attracts neurosurgeons and specialists from around the world. Through conferences, symposia, and livestreamed surgical training, PNI extends its educational mission beyond campus, sharing advanced techniques with surgeons who may not otherwise have access to such high-level training.
The lab’s core goals include:
- Providing advanced education to surgeons worldwide.
- Educating clinical fellows nationally and internationally.
- Advancing surgical techniques and approaches.
- Developing and testing new surgical products.
Sponsored by Leaders in Surgical Innovation
The Neuroanatomy Lab is made possible through the generous support of:
- Karl Storz Endoskope North America
- Stryker Corporation
- Mizuho Medical Company Ltd.
- Surgical West Inc.
- Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Additional philanthropic support has been provided by dedicated benefactors including Mr. and Mrs. J. Jeffrey Assaf, Mrs. Carol Lee Karlin, Peter Douglas of the Peter Douglas Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Westervelt, Lisa and Steve Nesbitt, and Donna Schweers and Tom Geiser.
Contact Us To Learn More
The Neuroanatomy Laboratory is available for private surgical training programs through affiliation agreements. Surgeons and institutions interested in arranging customized courses can contact:
Garni Barkhoudarian, MD
Director, Neuroanatomy Laboratory
garni.barkhoudarian@providence.org