Breaking barriers in neurosurgery

Celebrating the Odette Harris Lectureship to combat neurotrauma disparities

September 16, 2025 - By Kathryn Sill

Dr. Odette Harris

With over 25 years of distinguished service, Odette Harris, MD, MPH, has earned a reputation as a pioneer in traumatic brain injury treatment. Harris is an endowed professor of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine through the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford School of Medicine. At Stanford, Harris is also the director of the Brain Injury Program and the vice chair of Diversity. Along with her dedication to patient care and research, Harris co-established the Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, with the intent to mentor high-school scientists in the critical analysis of a scientific paper, many of whom go on to pursue careers in medicine.

Through her impressive list of accolades in the field, she has garnered national and global attention multiple times. Most recently, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), one of the largest neurosurgical societies worldwide dedicated to advancing neurosurgery through education and innovation, is establishing the Odette Harris Lectureship in her honor. Harris is among the select few neurosurgeons to have a CNS lectureship named in her recognition.

Through this initiative, Harris will serve as the keynote speaker for the Neurotrauma Section at the CNS Annual Meeting, which gathers over 1,000 attendees globally. The upcoming meeting, taking place in Los Angeles, Oct. 11-15, will highlight Harris’ significant contribution to addressing healthcare disparities and fostering health equity in neurotrauma. Harris will share her expertise on promoting awareness, collaboration, and actionable solutions within the community.

I’m truly grateful and humbled to receive this lectureship. This recognition isn’t just about me; it reflects the work I care deeply about. I believe this lectureship will help us keep pushing forward in advancing patient care.

After her keynote address, the lectureship will invite nominations from CNS Neurotrauma Section members and self-nominations in future years, enabling other distinguished experts—such as researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, policymakers, and community advocates—to present.

Future Odette Harris Lectureship recipients will have the opportunity to stimulate dialogue, raise awareness, and catalyze efforts to address disparities and improve outcomes for all individuals affected by traumatic brain injury. Additionally, an abstract award will be presented to an individual focused on research in healthcare disparities in the neurotrauma field.

This is not the first time Harris has spoken at a lectureship. In 2023, she was selected by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) as the William P. Van Wagenen Lecturer.

Harris has dedicated her career to advancing patient care while addressing systemic inequities in neurotrauma treatment. She not only cares for patients at Stanford’s hospitals, but is also the Deputy Chief of Staff, Rehabilitation at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, overseeing several Services and Programs, including: the TBI/Polytrauma System of Care, Spinal Cord Injuries/Disorders Center, Blind Rehabilitation Services and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Harris is no stranger to breaking barriers. Born in Jamaica, Harris completed her undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and attended Stanford for medical school and residency, receiving numerous academic and research awards at both institutions. She also earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley. She is the second Black female neurosurgeon professor in American history and in 2019, received recognition by Forbes and Ebony Magazine with the Power 100 List Award as one of 100 most influential African Americans. Additionally, Harris is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, a global community for entrepreneurial and creative leaders.

“I’m truly grateful and humbled to receive this lectureship,” Harris said. “This recognition isn’t just about me; it reflects the work I care deeply about. I believe this lectureship will help us keep pushing forward in advancing patient care.”
 

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Stanford at CNS 2025 Schedule