Antonio Omuro Named Chair of Dept. of Neurology & Neurological Sciences

I am delighted to share that Antonio Omuro, MD, Professor of Neurology at the Yale University School of Medicine, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. Dr. Omuro currently holds leadership roles spanning the Yale-New Haven Health Care System and the Yale School of Medicine, including as chief of Neuro-Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and founding director of the Yale Family Brain Tumor Center. He will begin his new role at Stanford on February 1, 2024.

Dr. Omuro is regarded as one of the foremost physician-scientists studying brain tumors. A fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, he has published more than 140 peer-reviewed research articles and led dozens of clinical trials focused on developing new treatments for brain tumors and neurologic complications of cancer. Recently, he led the development of immune-checkpoint inhibitors for glioblastoma from the first Phase 1 studies through the largest Phase 3 international clinical trial ever conducted in this disease.

Dr. Omuro also has a long track record of visionary leadership that has helped elevate Yale’s neuro-oncology division to one of the strongest in its field while increasing patient visits to Yale Cancer Center by 74 percent. While at Yale, Dr. Omuro has fostered a culture of academic excellence, attracted and retained world-class faculty and research staff, led teams of clinicians and basic scientists in collaborative grants and projects, and embedded clinical trials throughout its practice. Critically, he also has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion by actively supporting Yale Cancer Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.

Beyond research and clinical care, Dr. Omuro has made significant strides in cultivating the next generation neurology and neurological sciences leaders. For more than two decades, he has served as a highly respected teacher and mentor of students, residents, and fellows, particularly to women and those from underrepresented groups. Many are now highly influential in the field. Nationally, he has advised the American Academy of Neurology as a member of its Science Committee to design innovative educational activities and shape scientific standards for research conduct.

I want to express my deep appreciation to our search committee – co-led by Tina Stankovic, MD, PhD, and Michael Lim, MD – for conducting a comprehensive national search to fill this critical position. Both David Entwistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health Care, and Paul King, president and CEO of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, share my strong support of Dr. Omuro’s appointment.

I also want to thank the interim chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Paul Fisher, MD. Dr. Fisher seamlessly stepped into this role on July 1 and has provided stability and strong leadership at a time of transition. I have the utmost confidence that he will continue to effectively bridge this transition.

We hope you all will join us in extending Dr. Omuro a warm welcome to our community.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Minor, MD
Dean, Stanford School of Medicine