Cleveland Clinic has appointed Michael Steinmetz, M.D., as chairman of its Department of Neurosurgery.
In this role, Dr. Steinmetz will lead a team of neurosurgeons devoted to the most advanced surgical treatments for patients with neurological disorders and injuries. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Steinmetz will oversee the administrative and academic activities of the Department of Neurosurgery, while continuing to serve in a leadership role in The Center for Spine Health.
“It is a great honor to welcome Dr. Steinmetz as our new chairman of Neurosurgery. His vision and expertise as a national leader in complex spine care and his extensive experience in the leadership of national societies will be instrumental in developing the future of neurosurgery” said Andre Machado, M.D., Ph.D, chairman of the Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Steinmetz graduated from Texas Tech University School of Medicine and completed his internship at the University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine. He graduated from his neurosurgery residency at Cleveland Clinic in 2005 and completed a fellowship in Complex Spine Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, returning to Cleveland Clinic soon after. In 2011, Dr. Steinmetz left Cleveland Clinic to become the chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Metro Health Medical Center, an affiliated program with Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Steinmetz returned to Cleveland Clinic in 2014 as the co-director of the Center for Spine Health in the Neurological Institute.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead and work alongside the most talented neurosurgeons in the field,” Dr. Steinmetz said. “We will seek to focus on improving the quality of life for our patients through the advancement of academic excellence and innovation.”
Dr. Steinmetz is professor of neurosurgery in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and is the author or co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has written numerous book chapters, authored two textbooks and edited two more, the most recent being Benzel’s Textbook of Spine Surgery. He serves as the vice president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, secretary of the Council of State Neurological Societies, an executive committee member of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, and involved with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the North American Spine Society and the Society for Neurosciences. He is on the board of directors of the NeuroPoint Alliance.
Dr. Steinmetz performs basic science research in the field of neuroprotection and regeneration following experimental spinal cord injury, as well as clinical outcomes research.
Dr. Steinmetz replaces Edward Benzel, M.D., who stepped down as neurosurgery chair. Dr. Benzel will work closely with Dr. Machado as the director for patient experience and staff career development, along with his very busy clinical practice.
“We sincerely thank Dr. Benzel for his spectacular service as chairman of Neurosurgery and we are excited to have him lead major new opportunities in the Neurological Institute,” said Dr. Machado.