Water E. Dandy, M.D. Professorship in Neurosurgery

School of Medicine

Established in 2004 with a matching grant from Florence and Irving J. Sherman, A&S 1936, Med 1940, and leadership gifts from the Dandy Family, Hugo V. Rizzoli, MD, A&S 1936, Med 1940, and many generous contributors

WALTER E. DANDY, MD, is recognized as one of Johns Hopkins renowned visionaries. His professional career began at Johns Hopkins in 1910 and spanned nearly forty years until his death in 1946. During his tenure he performed operations on brain tumors, cranial nerve lesions and injuries, vascular lesions in the brain as well as surgery for spinal cord tumors and ruptured intervertebral discs.

Dr. Dandy was a pioneer in the development of neurosurgery. His work encompassed both basic and clinical investigation in neurosurgery and neurology as well as critical care neuroradiology. Dr. Dandy’s genius led him to discover new surgical treatments that continue to be used today. The magnitude of Walter E. Dandy’s contributions to the field of neurosurgery is felt every day at Johns Hopkins and throughout the world. In 1923, Dr. Dandy created a 24-hour specialized nursing unit for critically ill neurosurgical patients–it is considered the forerunner of present-day intensive care units.

Dr. Dandy’s name and his achievements are so closely associated with Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Department of Neurosurgery that establishing the Walter E. Dandy Professorship is the most fitting way to honor his legacy and to ensure that future generations of neurosurgeons benefit and learn from his example.

Held by Rafael J. Tamargo

RAFAEL J. TAMARGO, MD, FACS, is the inaugural Water E. Dandy, M.D. Professor. Dr. Tamargo is professor of neurosurgery, otolaryngology-head & neck surgery at Johns Hopkins University. He began his tenure at Johns Hopkins in 1985 as a research fellow and assistant resident and completed his training at Johns Hopkins in neurosurgery. He joined the faculty in 1992 and was promoted to full professor in 2004. Early in his career, Dr. Tamargo focused his clinical and research efforts in cerebrovascular neurosurgery while also developing an extensive collaborative practice with several members of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. His current clinical focus is in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and in controlled-release polymer technology.

His leadership is evident in many areas but in particular in his directorship of the Division of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, which he has expanded significantly and brought to a higher level of national and international prominence. Dr. Tamargo is a master clinician and surgeon, an innovative scientist, and a dedicated teacher.