The Neurosurgical Professorship of Academic Excellence

David and Dottie Brennan established the Professorship in 2014. It is awarded to a faculty member in the Department of Neurosurgery with a preference for a surgeon with expertise in peripheral nerve repair and regeneration surgery.

David R. Brennan is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He currently serves on the boards of Alexion, Insmed, and Gettysburg College, among others. He was Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of AstraZeneca, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Both Alexion and Insmed focus on rare diseases, reflecting Mr. Brennan’s interest in translational science and in developing new solutions for unmet medical needs.

Current Chairholder
Eric L. Zager, MD

Eric L. Zager, MD currently serves as the Neurosurgical Professor of Academic Excellence at the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Zager graduated magna cum laude in biochemistry from Harvard College and received his medical degree from Stanford University. He completed his internship in general surgery at Columbia University, followed by his neurosurgical residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Zager has taught at the Perelman School of Medicine since 1989 and focuses his academic interests on peripheral nerve and cerebrovascular disorders. He has received a Clinical Fellowship Award from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons to pursue advanced training in peripheral nerve surgery. In addition, Dr. Zager won the Galbraith Award in Cerebrovascular Surgery in 1988 and the Young Clinician Investigator Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in 1991.