Dr. Johnny Delashaw, who has earned international acclaim for his expertise in skull base, pituitary and cerebrovascular surgery, has joined UC Irvine’s School of Medicine as chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery.

He will also serve as chief of neurological surgery for UC Irvine Health. Delashaw will play a key role in creating a major national surgical referral center for complicated cranial disease and a center of excellence for spine problems.

“Dr. Delashaw is one of the most clinically productive neurosurgeons in the country and an outstanding team builder,” said Dr. Ralph V. Clayman, dean of the School of Medicine. “He will bring a strong surgical presence to further advance our prominence in the neurosciences, which will benefit the people of Orange County and the region who are in need of complex neurosurgical procedures. I am delighted that he has chosen to come to UC Irvine.”

Delashaw leaves Oregon Health & Science University, where he has spent more than a decade establishing one of the largest neurosurgical practices in the U.S. He’s among only a few surgeons who perform complex procedures for pituitary disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome for which he has built a national referral network. His cure rate for this ailment is one of the highest in the country.

“I’m thrilled to be joining a dedicated team of surgeons at UC Irvine,” Delashaw said. “Our mission is not only to provide patients with exemplary care, but also to inspire medical students and residents to discover the challenge and excitement of treating complex neurosurgical conditions. We also hope to nurture innovation and to recruit the finest physicians and students, all charged with the mission to improve the health of patients in Orange County and beyond.”

He received his medical degree from the University of Washington and was trained in neurosurgery at the University of Virginia under the direction of Dr. John Jane. After completing his residency in 1990, Delashaw joined the University of Florida’s Department of Neurosurgery as an associate professor.

In 1992, he was recruited to Oregon Health & Science University as an associate professor. Since 1998, Delashaw has been vice chair and professor of neurosurgery at OHSU, with joint appointments in otolaryngology and neurology.

About UC Irvine Medical Center: Orange County’s only university hospital, UC Irvine Medical Center offers acute- and general-care services at its new, 482,000-square-foot UC Irvine Douglas Hospital and is home to the county’s only Level I trauma center, American College of Surgeons-verified regional burn center and National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. U.S. News & World Report has included UC Irvine for 11 consecutive years on its list of America’s Best Hospitals, giving special recognition to its urology, gynecology, kidney disorders and cancer programs.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Led by Chancellor Michael Drake since 2005, UCI is among the most dynamic campuses in the University of California system, with nearly 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 1,100 faculty and 9,000 staff. Orange County’s second-largest employer, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $4 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

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