New Chair of Neurosurgery Honors Longstanding Clinical Partnership, Sets Sights on Future Innovation

Paul Park, MD, a highly respected neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery, minimally invasive techniques, complex spinal reconstruction, and degenerative conditions, has been named the J.T. Roberston Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery in the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Dr. Park completed his medical degree and neurosurgical residency at the University of Michigan, during which he did an enfolded spine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute, and a post-residency fellowship in minimally invasive spinal surgery at the UT Health Sciences Department of Neurosurgery/Semmes Murphey. He is a professor of neurosurgery, as well as the director of spinal surgery at UT Health Sciences.

Additionally, L. Madison Michael, MD, a renowned specialist in skull-base and vascular neurosurgery, has been appointed vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He is a graduate of the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine and did his neurosurgical residency at UT Health Sciences. He completed fellowship training in skull-base and open vascular neurosurgery in Bristol, England, and currently serves as a professor of neurosurgery and otolaryngology and program director for the neurosurgery residency at UT Health Sciences and co-director of cranial base surgery at the Methodist Brain and Spine Institute.

Dr. Park succeeds Adam Arthur, MD, who has served as chair of the Department of Neurosurgery since 2021. Dr. Arthur has long-standing distinguished service as a neurosurgeon at major hospitals in Memphis, including serving as the chief of interventional neuroradiology for Baptist Memorial Hospital, the director of vascular and endovascular neurosurgery for Methodist University, and the fellowship director at UT Health Sciences/Semmes Murphey.

"These leadership transitions reflect a continued commitment to clinical excellence, surgical education, and advancing patient care across our region," said Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of the UT Health Sciences College of Medicine. They also underscore the longstanding and vital partnership between Semmes Murphey and UT Health Sciences College of Medicine and its Department of Neurosurgery, he said.

"Our collaboration with Semmes Murphey remains one of our foundational academic pillars," Dr. Hocker continued. "Together, we train future neurosurgeons, advance discovery in neurosurgical science, and provide exceptional care to patients across the Mid-South, Tennessee, and beyond. I am excited about the future under this new leadership team and the continued momentum of our shared mission."

Established in 1912 by Eustace Semmes, MD, Memphis' first neurosurgeon, Semmes Murphey specializes in neurosurgery, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, interventional pain, and neuropsychology. Semmes Murphey physicians are affiliated with UT Health Sciences as faculty of the Department of Neurosurgery.

"This department already provides excellent neurosurgical care for our patients and has fantastic residency and fellowship programs to train the next generation of neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists," Dr. Park said. "I would like the department to be on the leading edge for innovative technologies and treatment. This would include expanding our research initiatives and recruiting faculty with special expertise in areas that will see high growth, such as functional neurosurgery."

Prior to joining Semmes Murphey and UT Health Sciences, Dr. Park served for nearly two decades on the faculty of the University of Michigan, where he was a professor of neurosurgery, director of the spine program, and director of the spine fellowship.

"I am somewhat of an outsider with most of my career at the University of Michigan," Dr. Park said. "I believe my external experiences can benefit the department, particularly from an academic perspective on research and education. Dr. Michael is an extremely well-respected neurosurgeon, who I have had the pleasure to work with since I arrived. He trained here and understands the institution and environment. I believe the combination of my outside experience and his insider knowledge will be very complementary as we grow the department."

Dr. Hocker thanked Dr. Arthur, for his outstanding leadership as chair of neurosurgery. "Dr. Arthur's leadership, particularly in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, has strengthened the department's clinical programs, educational mission, and academic partnerships. His contributions have helped shape a department, which is known for excellence in patient care, research, and surgical training, and we are grateful for the strong foundation he has helped build."

The executive dean also thanked the members of the search committee for their time and thoughtful work throughout the process, giving special appreciation to Boyd Gillespie, MD, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, for his leadership in chairing the search. "We are grateful as well to Semmes Murphey leadership, including Dr. Kevin Foley (chairman of Semmes Murphey) and John Lewis (CEO), for their continued partnership and shared commitment to the future of neurosurgery in our region."