Fund Purpose: To support the R. Michael Scott Lectureship and related educational efforts at Boston Children's Hospital.
R. Michael Scott, MD, FAANS(L), was a world-renowned leader in pediatric neurosurgery, following in the footsteps of his father, the former chair of neurosurgery at Temple University. Dr. Scott obtained a BA in English from Williams College, followed by an MD at Temple University. After a surgical internship at Boston City Hospital, he became a research associate at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, studying Parkinson's disease and slow virus infections. He then completed a neurosurgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and joined the faculty at Tufts University, where he rapidly rose to become a full professor and director of pediatric neurosurgery at New England Medical Center/Boston Floating Hospital.
In 1988, Dr. Scott started his career at Boston Children's Hospital, where he established a premiere pediatric neurosurgical training program, attracting trainees from around the country. In 1992, he was named a full professor at Harvard Medical School and in 2004 became the neurosurgeon-in-chief at Boston Children's Hospital, followed by emeritus in 2011.
Nationally, he served as past chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery and past president of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the AANS and director of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He also served as the chair of the American Board of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
Dr. Scott influenced nearly all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery, with key contributions to the treatment of vascular disease, brain tumors and congenital disorders. He had a long record of surgical innovation, including development of a novel operative approach to treat pediatric stroke, which became a standard technique around the world, and major advances in the treatment of tumors of the brain and spine. He was a peerless clinician, educator and mentor, authoring hundreds of chapters and papers and delivering countless lectures around the world. Most of all, he was honored by all those privileged enough to have trained with him. Dr. Scott profoundly impacted the field of neurosurgery and counted generations of teachers, researchers and leaders among his trainees.
Dr. R. Michael Scott passed away at his home in Mattapoisett, MA on August 4, 2023 at the age of 82.
As a surgeon, leader, teacher and mentor, Dr. Scott succeeded at the highest levels in all aspects of neurosurgery. The R. Michael Scott Honor Your Mentor Fund celebrates these attributes and promotes his vision of pediatric neurosurgery.
To view a list of all donors to this fund, click here.
