In order to become a highly qualified and experienced neurosurgeon, an individual must first complete a list of specific educational requirements. The first step involves a pre-medical undergraduate education followed by four years at an accredited U.S. medical school. The next step typically involves a one year internship program along with a neurosurgery residency.

Dr. Michael Brisman began his training and education in neurology at Harvard University, receiving his undergraduate degree in Biology with high honors in 1988. In 1992, he earned his medical degree at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Michael Brisman then spent six years completing a General Surgery internship and Neurological Surgery Residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. During his final year of residency in 1998, Dr. Michael Brisman was appointed Chief Resident.

Over the course of his educational journey, Dr. Michael Brisman authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters relating to the field of neurosurgery:

• Kader A, Brisman MH, Maraire N, Huh J, Solomon R: the Effect of Mild Hypothermia on Permanent Focal Ischemia in the Rat. Neurosurgery 31:1056-1061, 1992
• Brisman MH, Fetell MR, Post KD: Reversible Dementia due to Macroprolactinoma. J Neurosurg 79: 135-137, 1993
• Brisman MH, Morgello S, Silvers A, Klein I, Post KD: Idiopathic Granulomatous Hypophysitis. Neurosurgical Focus 1(1): Article 7, 1996
• Brisman MH, Katz G, Post KD: Symptoms of Pituitary Apoplexy Rapidly Reversed with Bromocriptine. Neurosurgical Focus 1(1): Article 5, 1996 and J Neurosurg 85: 1153-1155, 1996
• Brisman MH, Bederson JB, Sen C, Germano IM, Moore F, Post KD: Intracerebral Hemorrhage Occurring Remote from the Craniotomy Site. Neurosurgery 39: 1114-1122, 1996
• Brisman MH, Sen C, Catalano P: Results of Surgery for Head and Neck Tumors that Involve the Carotid Artery at the Skull Base. J Neurosurg 86: 787-792, 1997
• Brisman MH, and Camins MB: Radiologic Evaluation in Patients with Head Injury. The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine 64: 226-232, 1997
• Brisman, MH, Bederson JB: Surgical Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. New Horizons 5(4): 367-372, 1997
• Brisman MH, Tuhrim S, Jenkins A, Bederson JB: Thyrocervical to Vertebral Artery Transposition and Ipsilateral Carotid Endarterectomy. Surg Neurol 51: 327-331, 1999
• Brisman MH, Das S, Post KD: Cystic Lesions of the Sellar/Suprasellar Region, in Kaufman H(cd.): Cerebrospinal Fluid Collections, AANS, 1998
• Brisman MH, Arginteanu M, Perin NI, Post KD: Neurosurgical Emergencies, in Bauer J (cd.): The Mount Sinai handbook of Surgery: A Case-Oriented Approach, New York, Williams and Wilkins, 1998
• Brisman MH, Prin NI, Post DK: Excision of Spinal Neurofibromas, In Kaye AH and Black PM(cds.): Operative Neurosurgery, Churchill Livingstone, 2000