Dear Colleagues,
It is with pleasure that I share this overview of the rich history, recent
accomplishments, and future vision of the University of Alabama at
Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery. As department chair, I’ve
had the privilege of collaborating with and supporting a skilled and
committed team that is driven to provide the most outstanding care
to patients, educate future neurosurgeons, and propel pioneering
research.
Through the dedication of the department’s administration and the
trusted leadership of the institution, we have been fortunate to recruit
and retain a diverse group of global experts in neurosurgery. They
inspire innovation and progress in all three departmental missions: research, clinical care, and
academia.
James Markert, MD, MPH
With persistence and unwavering dedication to neurosurgical research, the department has
achieved landmark accomplishments since its inception in 2013. Cutting-edge brain tumor
research and many active clinical trials have expanded the department’s knowledge base and
contributed valuable insight into the clinical implications of our research, while providing hope
to neurosurgical patients.
As one the largest academic medical centers in the nation, our clinical enterprise provides
innovative and expert care options to those with complex neurological disorders. Our clinical
faculty, nurses, and staff are truly a beacon of hope for patients with complex and life-
threatening disorders. The department takes pride in offering the highest quality of care and
shaping personalized approaches that meets each patient’s individual needs and illness. These
efforts are represented in part by our exceptional O/E mortality ratio of 0.68 during FY19.
Over this period, UAB Neurosurgery academic programs have grown immensely, propelled
by devoted and talented teachers and mentors. Our graduates are not only skilled in their
disciplines, but go on to serve as strong leaders and global ambassadors in the field of
neurosurgery.
As you turn through the pages of this report, I hope you get a sense of the work ethic, tenacity,
and dedication of the department. Our passion for the discipline of neurosurgery – coupled
with an unrelenting drive to provide the best care to our patients – is what sets this team apart.
None of this would be possible without the support of wonderful clinical, research, and
educational partnerships in the community, the nation, and throughout the world. These
collaborations are pushing us to new frontiers for both our current and future patients. Thank
you for being a part of the UAB Neurosurgery family.
Kind regards,
James M. Markert, MD, MPH
James Garber Galbraith Endowed Chair
UAB Department of Neurosurgery