Dr. Murman named interim chair
After nearly 10 years as chairman of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Neurological Sciences, Pierre Fayad, M.D., is stepping down at end of the year.
He will continue as a professor in the department, pursuing his clinical and academic activities. He also will continue as director of the Stroke Center, assume the directorship of the neurology residency program and pursue the development of a Telestroke and Teleneurology Program at UNMC.
Dr. Fayad, who founded the neurological sciences department in 2001 after serving on the Yale University School of Medicine faculty for 12 years, said the time was right for a change.
“I’m proud of all the things we’ve accomplished,” he said, “The challenges were great, and the successes speak for themselves. The accomplishments could not have been possible without our great faculty and staff, a supportive community and the leadership support from the College of Medicine, UNMC Physicians and The Nebraska Medical Center. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of the department in my new roles with Dr. (Dan) Murman’s leadership.”
Rod Markin, M.D., Ph.D., interim dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, has appointed Dan Murman, M.D., interim chairman for neurological sciences effective Jan. 1. Dr. Murman joined the department’s faculty seven years ago as associate professor and built and directed the Memory Disorders and Behavioral Neurology Program. He also is medical director for the UNMC Physicians Outpatient Neurosciences Center.
“Dr. Fayad did an incredible job as chairman,” Dr. Markin said. “He literally created the department and built it into one of the College of Medicine’s jewels. I can’t thank him enough for all he has done, and I’m thrilled that he will continue to be a key resource for the department.”
Under Dr. Fayad’s direction, some of the major accomplishments that he critically contributed to included:
· developing clinical and academic regional neurology subspecialty programs, for stroke, movement disorders, peripheral nerve and neuromuscular diseases, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dementia and memory disorders, many of which received the highest levels of certification nationally and regional recognition;
· garnering a ranking among the top 50 U.S. hospitals in 2008 for neurology and neurosurgery for The Nebraska Medical Center;
· establishing a stroke center at The Nebraska Medical Center that became the first nationally certified primary stroke center in Nebraska and the region;
· Bringing international, National Institutes of Health-funded and industry-sponsored clinical research studies in stroke prevention and neurology to UNMC; and
· successfully restoring and achieving continued re-accreditation for the neurology residency program through 2014 and expanding the program from six to nine residents.
Dr. Murman’s areas of expertise include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and geriatric neurology. His research has focused on Alzheimer’s disease with grant funding from the NIH and the Alzheimer’s Association. He has been active with an industry-sponsored, phase III treatment trial for Alzheimer’s.
A native of Hastings, Neb., Dr. Murman earned his medical degree from UNMC in 1989 and did his residency and fellowship training at the University of Michigan. While a fellow, Dr. Murman completed a master’s degree in clinical research design and statistical analysis through the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Prior to joining the UNMC faculty in 2004, Dr. Murman served seven years on the faculty at Michigan State University. He received teaching awards at both UNMC and Michigan State.
“Dr. Fayad has done an outstanding job,” Dr. Murman said. “I hope to continue his successes and keep building the department through recruitment and development.”
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