Julie Pilitsis

Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA, is a prominent physician executive and academic leader in the field of neurosurgery. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and is the Physician Executive for Functional Neurosurgery at Banner Health System.

Education and Early Career

• Undergraduate: Earned a B.S. in Biology, magna cum laude, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1996.
• Medical Degree: Received her M.D. with distinction from Albany Medical College in 1998.
• Ph.D.: Completed a Ph.D. in Physiology at Wayne State University in 2002, focusing on the effects of cerebral insults on fatty acid release.
• Fellowship: Finished a functional neurosurgery fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in 2007.

Professional Experience

Before her current role, Dr. Pilitsis was:

• Dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University from 2022 to 2023.
• Division Chief of Functional Neurosurgery and Chair of the Neuroscience Department at Albany Medical College.

Her responsibilities have included leading significant initiatives to transition medical education and healthcare systems towards integrated models.

Research and Contributions

Dr. Pilitsis has an active research program supported by NIH grants, focusing on:

• Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
• Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain
• Intrathecal Drug Therapy for Neuropathic Pain

She has published over 250 journal articles, authored five textbooks, and contributed numerous chapters to medical literature.

Leadership Roles

Dr. Pilitsis has held several leadership positions:

• President of the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) in 2023.
• President-elect of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN) from 2024 to 2026.

Her extensive experience and leadership in both clinical practice and academic administration make her a significant figure in neurosurgery today.123