Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University has appointed Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris, MD, MBA, as chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, effective April 1, 2026. An internationally recognized academic neurosurgeon and physician-leader, Dr. Tjoumakaris brings decades of distinguished clinical, research and leadership experience to the role — along with a deep and personal connection to Jefferson, where she trained, practiced and built her career.
“Dr. Tjoumakaris is a leading example of what a Sidney Kimmel Medical College education can produce. She began at Jefferson as a medical student, and over the course of her career has become an internationally recognized leader in her field. To appoint her as chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery is a proud moment for this medical college, and I am confident she will lead this department with the same distinction she has brought to everything she has pursued,” says Dr. Said Ibrahim, the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
Dr. Tjoumakaris is a dual-trained endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgeon whose expertise spans some of the most complex conditions in neurological medicine, including acute ischemic stroke, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and complex cerebrovascular disease.
Recognized by Castle Connolly as an Exceptional Woman in Medicine, she has received numerous institutional and national awards for her contributions to teaching and mentorship. Her scholarly output reflects the breadth of her impact: Dr. Tjoumakaris has authored over 500 peer-reviewed publications and leads major national and international clinical trials shaping the future of neurosurgical care.
Her leadership extends well beyond Jefferson. Dr. Tjoumakaris has served as chair of the Cerebrovascular Section of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and currently serves as chair-elect of the Joint CNS/AANS Guidelines Committee — a role that positions her at the center of how national standards in neurosurgery are developed and applied. She has also held leadership roles with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, served on FDA device review panels, and contributed to the editorial boards of leading journals in her field.
A Sidney Kimmel Medical College graduate, Dr. Tjoumakaris completed her neurosurgical residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, followed by advanced fellowships in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, neuroendovascular surgery and neurocritical care. She later earned an executive MBA from Villanova University, graduating as class valedictorian and receiving the Bartley Medallion, the highest distinction bestowed to a Villanova School of Business alumnus/a recognizing those who have distinguished themselves in their careers and extraordinary service to their communities.
Having served as interim chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery prior to her formal appointment, she assumes the role of chair with a clear understanding of the department's strengths and a vision for its continued growth.
“It is an honor to lead the Department of Neurological Surgery and its faculty and staff who are world-class in every sense — clinicians of the highest order, rigorous researchers, and dedicated educators who have built something truly exceptional here. To be entrusted with leading them, at an institution that has meant so much to me personally and professionally, is something I will carry with great pride and deep gratitude,” says Dr. Tjoumakaris.