ABOVE: Shelley Chou, M.D., examines a patient wearing an early 1950s version of positron-emission tomography equipment. More commonly known as the PET scan, this technology has changed a great deal in the last 50 years.

Neurosurgery pioneer Lyle French helped forge tradition of excellence

French saw neurosurgery at the University through many changes in his 42 years as a student, professor, chief of medical staff, and administrator. He trained under William Peyton, M.D., the first director of the neurosurgical division of the Department of Surgery.

After 12 years of teaching and Peyton's retirement, French was appointed director of the division in 1960. He was the first clinical scientist to document the value of dexamethasone for treating cerebral edema, and his team made other significant advances in research and clinical activities.

By 1968, neurosurgery at the Medical School had expanded, and the University established neurosurgery as its own department. French was its first leader. He inspired many young neurosurgeons to pursue academic careers and trained 11 eventual neurosurgical department chairs.

A couple of years after neurosurgery became a department, the University responded to a growing demand for teamwork among health professionals and grouped the health sciences together. French became the Univer-sity's first vice president for health sciences and led the newly organized grouping of the Medical School, School of Public Health, School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Dentistry, and College of Veterinary Medicine.

Through [French's] ceaseless efforts, the treatment of patients with brain tumors and stroke was greatly improved, a generation of neurosurgeons was trained, and the University of Minnesota's status as a world-class academic health center was assured.

— Stephen Haines, M.D. Head, Department of Neurosurgery

In the years following French's promotion, the Department of Neurosurgery kept advancing. The team established a division of pediatric neurosurgery and collaborated with other departments to start a spine center. It also developed programs for epilepsy, neuro-oncology, skull base surgery, and spinal surgery.

Today the department provides a wide range of services and emphasizes treating patients with brain tumors, epilepsy, movement disorders, cerebrovascular disease, spine disorders, and pediatric brain disorders. The journal Surgical Neurology consistently ranks it among the 10 best programs in the country for neurosurgical training, and U.S. News & World Report ranks it one of the nation's top 20 neurosurgery programs.

Stephen J. Haines, M.D., is the current head of the Department of Neurosurgery and holder of the first Lyle A. French Chair in Neurosurgery. "The University of Minnesota and the world of neuro-surgery have lost one of the greatest leaders, innovators, and educators of our time," says Haines. "Through his ceaseless efforts, the treatment of patients with brain tumors and stroke was greatly improved, a generation of neurosurgeons was trained, and the University of Minnesota's status as a world-class academic health center was assured."

French is survived by his wife Gene, three children, and several grandchildren.