Skull base surgery expert appointed neurological surgery department chair

UC Davis Health Professor and neurosurgeon Kia Shahlaie is the new chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. He will also continue serving as co-director of the Center for Skull Base Surgery.

"I'm excited to help lead the department into its next chapter," Shahlaie said. "We have a talented and dedicated team of clinicians, researchers, teachers and learners. We focus on providing top-notch clinical care, serving as thought leaders, promoting inclusion, and creating enriching learning environments for our trainees."

Shahlaie had been serving as interim chair for the Department of Neurological Surgery since July 2022. His official appointment as chair was effective this month.

A Sacramento native, Shahlaie has a longstanding connection with UC Davis, having completed his undergraduate, medical school and residency training all within the same institution. Following his academic journey, he completed fellowships at UC San Francisco and the Pacific Neuroscience Institute before returning to UC Davis Health as a faculty member in July 2010.

Shahlaie's dedication to the brain and mind and his interest in the impact of neurological disorders on the human experience have driven him to make lasting contributions to neurological surgery. He credits UC Davis mentors, such as former Neurological Surgery Chair Jim Boggan, for their guidance, which helped solidify his passion and interest in the field.

Throughout his career, Shahlaie has played a significant role in developing the Department of Neurological Surgery. A renowned expert, he has served as director for the Neurocritical Care, Adult Traumatic Brain Injury, and Deep Brain Stimulation and Neurological Surgery Residency programs. As residency program director, he oversaw remarkable growth, doubling the residency size from seven to 14 residents and expanding fellowship programs from one to five.

I am determined to lead the department into a transformative new chapter. My vision is to establish UC Davis Medical Center as the leading destination hospital in Northern California for world-class neurosurgical care." —Kia Shahlaie

"I am determined to lead the department into a transformative new chapter," Shahlaie said. "My vision is to establish UC Davis Medical Center as the leading destination hospital in Northern California for world-class neurosurgical care."

The UC Davis Department of Neurological Surgery is home to internationally recognized experts in treating neurosurgical disorders. With many nationally and internationally recognized clinical programs, it offers the latest technologies. It provides state-of-the-art treatment options for patients in our region. The department's neurosurgeons are recognized experts in minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, endoscopic surgery, laser interstitial thermal therapy, and motion-preserving spine operations.