Neurosurgery Visiting Professorships

Focus: Functional Neurosurgery
First Awarded: 2011
List of Lecturers

Dr. James A. Taren had a distinguished career in U-M Neurosurgery (1957-1996), marked by the innovation of novel approaches to difficult neurosurgical problems. He was known for his research and expertise in the management of chronic intractable pain states, obsessive compulsive disorders and the control of involuntary movement disorders, including those seen in Parkinson’s Disease and spasticity. During his career, he authored 53 peer-reviewed journal articles, co-authored two textbooks and 17 book chapters.  

Focus: Neuroanatomy & Clinical Research   
First Awarded: 1985
List of Lecturers

In 1936, world-renowned anatomist and instructor, Dr. Elizabeth Crosby, became the first female professor in the U-M Medical School. She was regarded as academically brilliant and completely dedicated to her work. In 1957, the Galens Medical Society establish an award in her name for teaching excellence in basic science. After retiring in 1958, she began working alongside doctors Edgar Kahn and Richard Schneider in the Department of Neurosurgery as a consultant on complex neurosurgical cases. She received the Presidential Medal of Science from President Carter in 1981.

Focus: Spine & Vascular Neurosurgery
First Awarded: 1969
List of Lecturers

In 1926, Dr. Edgar A. Kahn became the first resident to work under the Department of Neurosurgery’s founder, Dr. Max M. Peet. He later became the head of the section in 1949, a position he held for 20 years until his retirement. A deeply admired physician, he pioneered the use of contrast material in brain abscesses to monitor their size and early nuclear medical scans for the localization of brain tumors. Together with Dr. Elizabeth Crosby, Dr. Kahn defined important aspects of correlative neuroanatomy and published numerous works on the subject.

Focus: Pediatric Neurosurgery
First Awarded: 2011 
List of Lecturers 

Dr. Joan L. Venes has been described as “a legendary figure” by Dr. Alan Cohen, previous secretary of the ASPN, “She helped define the field of pediatric neurosurgery.” Her career began as a charge nurse in Emergency Medicine and, in the 1960s, changed course to become the first woman neurosurgery resident at Yale. Afterward, she joined the University of Michigan Neurosurgical staff as its first female neurosurgeon. In the 1990s, she served as the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow for the U.S. Senate. Dr. Venes passed away in 2010.

Focus: Alumni Achievements & Resident Education
First Awarded: 2012
List of Lecturers

In 1981, Julian T. Hoff, MD, became the fourth head of the Section of Neurosurgery; he led neurosurgery into the modern era. Under Dr. Hoff’s leadership, the neurosurgical service and training program became more diverse and comprehensive. A strong advocate of resident education, he sought to create a collegial environment in which even the most complex political and scientific issues could be discussed with openness. In 2001, the Section became the Department of Neurosurgery, a lifelong dream of Dr. Hoff, who served as its Chair until 2005.  

Focus: Socioeconomic Aspects of Neurosurgery
First Awarded: 2013
List of Lecturers

A legend in Neurosurgery, Saeed M. “Sid” Farhat, MD has been an important part of the U-M Medical School for more than four decades as a dedicated teacher and surgeon. Among his career achievements, Dr. Farhat established the first Neurosurgery service at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and served as Chief of the service for 34 years. He accepted a full-time position here in 1998 following his retirement from St. Joseph Mercy. He was the 2000 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the U-M Medical Center Alumni Society.  

Focus: Peripheral Nerve Surgery
First Awarded: 2026
List of Lecturers

Lynda J.-S. Yang, MD, PhD, had a distinguished career in neurosurgery and peripheral nerve surgery, which began under the mentorship of Dr. John McGillicuddy as a neurosurgery resident at U-M. Dr. Yang deepened her expertise through an AANS Walter Dandy Fellowship and advanced peripheral nerve training in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, focusing on brachial plexus and pediatric nerve injuries. Upon returning to U-M, Dr. Yang founded the Multidisciplinary Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program and served as its director since its inception until her death in 2022. Her scholarly contributions include over 110 peer-reviewed publications, 25+ book chapters, editorial board service and 3 US patents.

Her leadership extended nationally, notably as Chairperson of the FDA’s Neurological Devices Advisory Committee and as an influential leader in the AANS/CNS. Though her life was tragically cut short, her influence on the field was remarkable and enduring. She was a force of nature—her vision and mentorship were a force multiplier for the field.