July 26, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dr. Ali Rezai, a neurosurgeon and researcher at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center widely recognized for his treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders using deep brain stimulation, has been named to serve as director of the Medical Center’s Neuroscience Program.
As director, Rezai will oversee the continued integration, coordination and collaboration of clinical programs in neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, as well as neuroscience research. He will work directly with department chairs and program leaders to further develop and enhance the national stature of the OSU neuroscience program.
Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, CEO of Wexner Medical Center, said the leadership position is critically important to the organization given the significant growth in patient volume and research within the neuroscience areas.
“Ali, by all definitions, is a worldwide leader in the field of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other medical conditions,” said Gabbe. “He knows first-hand what it takes to build and direct great programs and that knowledge will certainly help us position our neuroscience program to be among the best in the nation.”
Gabbe added that Ohio State is on the cusp of great discoveries in the field of neuroscience that will dramatically change how patients are treated for certain neuro-disorders. “Ali sees the talent among our faculty and staff and the potential of the research, and he is very excited to have a vital role in this continued growth.”
In addition to his new role, Rezai was named associate dean of neurosciences in The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He will continue to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders and chronic pain. In addition he will continue his highly acclaimed and widely respected research in the area of neuromodulation and its use for treatment of various medical conditions including depression, addictions, obsessive compulsive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and traumatic brain injury.
Rezai left the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 2009 to join Ohio State. He has published more than 135 peer reviewed articles and more than 20 book chapters. He serves on the editorial board of five journals including Neurosurgery.
In addition, Rezai has been the principal and co-investigator on eight grants from the National Institutes of Health.
He is currently the president of the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, president of the North American Neuromodulation Society and president-elect of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, one of the largest neurosurgical societies in the world. Rezai holds 29 patents for medical devices and technologies.
He will continue as director of the OSU Center for Neuromodulation.
Rezai holds the rank of professor and is named to the Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross Chair in Neuromodulation at The Ohio State University.
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