UPMC Neurosurgeon L. Dade Lunsford Selected for Prestigious National Award

PITTSBURGH , March 2008 — Esteemed University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) neurosurgeon L. Dade Lunsford, M.D., has been selected by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. to receive a Physician of The Year Award in Clinical Excellence. The prestigious award honors a select group of physicians who have made notable contributions to the field of medicine. Honorees are selected from more than 600,000 physicians currently practicing medicine in the United States.

Dr. Lunsford, co-director of the UPMC Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery and Lars Leksell Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has achieved international acclaim as an expert in stereotactic surgery. Under Dr. Lunsford’s leadership, UPMC, in 1987, became the first hospital in the United States to use the Gamma Knife, a device for performing brain surgery without an incision. Today, UPMC has three such devices and remains the world leader in radiosurgery experience with over 8,600 patients treated to date.

“Throughout his years as a practicing physician, Dade Lunsford has provided the finest care possible to patients with complex neurosurgical problems, using the most up-to-date technology. This is a fitting tribute to his ongoing contributions to the field of medicine, but perhaps his most impressive contributions are his passion and commitment to teaching, creating a lasting legacy,” said Amin Kassam, M.D., chair, UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery.

In 2007, Dr. Lunsford was named Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, the highest honor the university can accord a faculty member, marking his extraordinary scholarly attainment. He has authored more than 400 articles and 200 book chapters, has lectured throughout the world and has served as editor of six books.

The UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery is nationally and internationally recognized for innovative research efforts, high quality training programs and expert patient care.

UPMC is the largest integrated health care enterprise in Pennsylvania and one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States. It has appeared eight times on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of “America’s Best Hospitals.” Widely recognized for its innovations in patient care, research, technology and health care management, UPMC has transformed the economic landscape in western Pennsylvania. The region’s largest employer, with 48,000 employees and nearly $7 billion in revenue, UPMC comprises 20 tertiary, specialty and community hospitals, 400 outpatient sites and doctors’ offices, retirement and long-term care facilities, an insurance plan with more than 1 million members, and commercial and international ventures. About 5,000 physicians are affiliated with UPMC, including nearly 2,500 employed physicians.

The award ceremony will take place in New York City on March 18. Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a national health care research and information company established in 1991 by a former medical college board chairman and president to help consumers find America’s top doctors and top hospitals in their communities. The company publishes the highly regarded annual guide America’s Top Doctors.