Dr. J Mocco, an esteemed physician-scientist who specializes in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and neurosurgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, effective Dec. 1.
Dr. Mocco will lead a large team of neurosurgeons and other experts who specialize in diseases that affect the blood vessels in the brain, known as cerebrovascular disease; brain and spinal tumors; movement disorders; and other diseases of the brain, spine and nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. He will seek to broaden the department’s scope in key areas, including neuro-oncology, pain syndromes, peripheral nerve surgery, and surgical procedures to promote cognitive restoration. He is also focused on advanced technologies, like augmented recovery, that leverage the brain’s natural ability to form new neural connections.
“The Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian already has exceptional physicians who are well regarded in their fields,” Dr. Mocco said. “I am excited to expand the department’s expertise and guide the department towards an even brighter future.”
Dr. Mocco was recruited from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he is the Kalmon D. Post Professor and senior system vice chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, with extensive experience leading clinical trials and pioneering advanced treatments for many neurologic diseases. He also serves as director of the Cerebrovascular Center for the Mount Sinai Health System. He succeeds Dr. Philip E. Stieg, who led the Department of Neurological Surgery for 25 years and will remain on the faculty.
“I am delighted Dr. Mocco will be joining Weill Cornell Medicine,” said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs of Cornell University. “His extraordinary blend of deep clinical research experience, commitment to academic medicine and training and dedication to exceptional care will make him an excellent chair of our Department of Neurological Surgery.”
Dr. Mocco’s clinical and research interests have focused on a wide range of topics and techniques related to cerebrovascular diseases, stroke and neuro-intervention. He helped pioneer now-standard stroke treatments and is leading or co-leading clinical trials with more than $60 million of National Institutes of Health funding.
“However wonderful a surgeon one is, there are only so many lives you can impact with your own two hands,” he said. “Clinical research lets you help exponentially more patients.”
