Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, and Mark Rometty have named the chair position of the Department of Neurological Surgery. The field of neurosurgery is rapidly evolving to include techniques such as robotic surgery and a greater emphasis on outpatient care. New frontiers for the field include advances in neuro-regeneration, treatment for brain tumors, functional and brain machine interfaces, and the application of artificial intelligence.
Mohamad Bydon, MD, the Stahl Professor of Neuroscience in the Wallman Society of Fellows and the inaugural Ginni and Mark Rometty Chair of Neurological Surgery, has already begun to expand the department’s size, scope, reach, and eminence.
Bydon, a renowned neurosurgeon and a leader in minimally invasive and robotic approaches to complex spinal conditions, joined UChicago in July 2025. Bydon leads the neuro-informatics lab, where he and his multidisciplinary team conduct leading-edge basic science, translational, and clinical research on spinal cord injury, including the use of stem cells to accelerate spinal cord healing. Throughout his career, Bydon has pioneered advancements in neurosurgical care, including establishing one of the nation’s first robotic spine programs in any academic department in 2018.
Mark Rometty was referred to Bydon by a friend after a series of surgeries failed to address his severe back pain. “He told me Dr. Bydon had some very contemporary ideas and might have some new approaches,” said Mark.
“I feel very indebted to Dr. Bydon because Mark almost couldn’t walk,” added Ginni. “But he put together a multidisciplinary, all-encompassing approach to give him the best odds of being able to walk again and perhaps even play a little bit of golf one day.”
“His patients are always number one,” said Mark. “It’s not just us. He checks on every patient personally, in addition to doing his research. I think there’s no case that’s too hard for him.”
“We know him as a leading-edge physician,” said Ginni, “which is why we were willing to fund his chair, to give him time and resources to do his research so he could continue to act as a physician role model.”
A history at the forefront of neurosurgery
UChicago was one of four institutions in the US to establish early eminence in neurosurgery, starting with the hire of Percival Bailey, MD, PhD 1918, as the founding director of the neurosurgery program in 1928. Today, UChicago Medicine is a leader in vascular neurosurgery (treating blood vessels of the brain and spinal column), trauma neurosurgery (treating injuries to the brain and spinal column), functional neurosurgery (treatments to restore neurological function and quality of life to patients), spinal neurosurgery (treatments of the spine), neuro-oncology (brain tumors), epilepsy, and pediatric neurosurgery.
Neurosurgery remained a section in the Department of Medicine until 2021 when it became a standalone department. Bydon is the first permanent chair of the department, and his appointment, as well as the establishment of the Rometty Chair are now two new important historical milestones in the history of neurosurgery at UChicago Medicine.
Bydon plans aggressive growth for the department, building on current academic and research strengths, expanding the clinical practice, and providing for the community. He hired faculty to extend existing strengths in vascular and functional neurosurgery and brought in top experts specializing in brain tumors, spinal oncology, degenerative spine disease, and pediatrics. New hires include eminent surgeons specializing in brain tumors, augmented reality to enhance surgical precision and safety, and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. A robust residency program will create a pipeline of talent for the department as well as for the field of neurosurgery. Bydon also implemented improvements aimed at increasing patient access.
Under Bydon’s leadership, the department has already seen some notable successes. Since his arrival, case volume has risen significantly. UChicago is now the repository for national neurosurgical registries for NeuroPoint Alliance (NPA), part of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), which give physicians insights into a rapidly evolving field. Through Hyde Park Labs, the department has been able to capitalize on interest from industry leaders, who see potential in new surgical techniques or treatments.
New technology is already improving the way neurosurgeries are performed. For instance, UChicago Medicine is now one of only 12 hospitals in the nation to use a state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI (iMRI), which performs functional MRI scans in real time during surgery, helping surgeons detect potential complications in as little as seven seconds.
“It’s clear to me that in many ways, neuroscience is at the frontier of medicine, thanks to advances in robotics, AI, regeneration, and our ability to restore and augment function. It’s a unique and exciting time for clinical practice and research in neurosurgery and neuroscience,” said Bydon. “I am grateful for Ginni and Mark’s vision, and proud to hold the Ginni and Mark Rometty Chair of Neurological Surgery.”
