Newswise — MAYWOOD, IL. -- Dr. Christopher Loftus, a neurosurgeon who is internationally known for his research and treatment of cerebral aneurysms and stroke, has been named chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He will start on August 1.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Loftus comes to Loyola from his position as professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., where he has worked since 2004. Prior to that, he was chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
"Loyola's neurosurgery program has always been on the leading edge in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease. Christopher Loftus' extensive background as an internationally known researcher, a stellar educator and a devoted clinician makes him a great choice as chair of our Department of Neurosurgery," said Dr. Richard L.Gamelli, Sr. vice president and provost, Health Sciences Division, Loyola University Chicago.
Dr. Loftus has special expertise in the circulatory system around the brain and the treatment of both benign and malignant brain tumors, brain aneurysms, vascular malformations and blockages of the carotid artery. He excels in cerebral revascularization, cervical spine reconstruction, radiosurgery and the treatment of lumbar stenosis.
Dr. Loftus graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. He received his medical degree from SUNY, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, and completed his neurosurgery residency training at the Neurological Institute of New York, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. He is board-certified in neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. In 2006 he received his Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr. h.c.) from Pavel Josef Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia. He is a U.S. News & World Report Top Doctor, ranked in the top 1 percent of his specialty.
The diseases and conditions that block blood circulation in the brain have been the main focus of Dr. Loftus' research. He is currently investigating modeling of intracranial collateral circulation; employing progesterone therapy for stroke prevention; and is participating in several clinical trials, including ISUIA, which is studying unruptured aneurysms, and he was a principal of the NIH funded IHAST cooperative trial for hypothermia in aneurysm surgery. He has written more than 600 research papers, books and/or book chapters, articles, reviews, abstracts and special presentations. Throughout his career, Dr. Loftus has collaborated with several physician researchers from Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine.
As a lecturer, teacher and an agent of national and international exchange in the specialty of neurosurgery, Dr. Loftus is an accomplished leader. At Temple University School of Medicine, he served as Assistant Dean for International Affiliations. He is serving a four year-term as the Assistant Treasurer of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. He has been a visiting professor at dozens of medical schools worldwide. Dr. Loftus has held numerous roles within the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, including vice president and chair of its International Outreach Committee. Dr. Loftus was the editor-in-chief of the journal, Techniques in Neurosurgery and has sat on the editorial boards for numerous neurosurgery journals around the world. He is a frequent guest lecturer at both national and international scientific meetings.
He and his wife, Sara J. Sirna, MD, a cardiologist, have three sons and a daughter.
RSS