Michael Lim to lead Stanford’s Department of Neurosurgery

Lim, a clinician, surgeon and researcher at Johns Hopkins who has focused largely on immunotherapy for brain tumors, will succeed Gary Steinberg as chair of the department, starting Sept. 1.

- By Bruce Goldman

Michael Lim

Michael Lim, MD, professor of neurosurgery, oncology, otolaryngology and radiation oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been appointed chair of the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery. Lim will assume the post on Sept. 1.

Lim succeeds Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, who after 25 years as department chair will be stepping down to concentrate on his clinical practice, research and teaching.

“I’m delighted that Michael Lim will be joining us,” said Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. “Dr. Lim has proven himself a clinician, surgeon and researcher of the highest order. This depth and breadth of experience make him uniquely qualified to elevate our already preeminent Department of Neurosurgery.”

Lim’s research and medical practice have been focused largely on immunotherapy for brain tumors. He has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, headed numerous clinical trials, and trained more than 50 medical residents and postdoctoral scholars. He is the director of Johns Hopkins’ brain tumor immunotherapy program, metastatic brain tumor center, stereotactic radiosurgery division and trigeminal neurology center.

 “As an experienced neurosurgeon, Dr. Lim utilizes the most advanced techniques,” Minor said. “As a patient-care provider, he has been recognized for his empathetic care by his peers and patients. In addition, he has garnered numerous teaching awards and is actively involved in shaping education for organized neurosurgery and oncology nationally and internationally.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire in 1995 and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins in 2000, Lim completed an internship and residency at Stanford. He joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins in 2007.

“Dr. Lim is an accomplished, Stanford-trained brain tumor neurosurgeon and scientist, who will continue to instill the open, friendly and supportive environment that we value so much,” said Steinberg, the Bernard and Ronni Lacroute-William Randolph Hearst Professor in Neurosurgery and Neurosciences. “I’m excited to see how he continues to expand Stanford’s preeminence in the field of neurosurgery, and to build upon our culture of diversity, discovery, excellence and distinction.”

While at Stanford, Lim was trained by Steinberg, whom he described as “an incredible surgeon and scientist who had a great vision for this department and promoted it into one of the world’s best neurosurgery programs.”

“This department has incredible depth and breadth on both the clinical and the research side,” Lim added. “I see many great opportunities to expand on this work, with an eye to continuing to push to personalize medicine and restore function to people. It is a true privilege to work with such an amazing group of faculty, scientists, residents and staff. I’m honored and very excited to serve our patients, the people in our department and Stanford.”

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu.

2023 ISSUE 3

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