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Inactive Member

Elected: 1991

Fernando G. Diaz was born in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 29, 1946 to Dr. Fernando Diaz, a general surgeon, and Susanna Diaz, a linguist and chemist. He graduated form the Central University of Mexico in 1963 with a Bachelor's of Science degree, and from the National University of Mexico with his M.D. degree in 1969. Dr. Diaz completed his internship in 1970 at Regina General Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Canada. From 1970 to 1971, Dr. Diaz contributed one year as a family practitioner in a social service clinic in Naranjos, Veracruz, in Mexico. In 1971, he began residency training, completing anesthesia requirements in Regina, Saskatchewan. Dr. Diaz then began two years of general surgery requirements at the University of Kansas, completing his surgical experience in 1973. During his general surgery rotation, he also graduated from the University of Kansas with a Master's of Anatomy. In July of 1973, Dr. Diaz moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he trained as a neurosurgery resident under the expert tutelage of Dr. Shelley Chou, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota. His commitment to academic neurosurgery was established during this time. Before completing his residency in 1978, he had published 10 articles in refereed journals in which he was first author. In 1979, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in neurophysiology.

After completing his residency and Ph.D., Dr. Diaz joined the Department of Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he continued to pursue his academic career, and his interests in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. During nine years spent at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Diaz actively researched cerebral revascularization, producing definitive models for therapeutic treatment of stroke and cerebral ischemia. His commitment to clinical research during his years at HFH was rewarded with over 95 articles, and 54 book chapters.

In 1987, Dr. Diaz was recruited to become the Chairman of the Neuroscience Institute of SantaFe in Gainesville, Florida. This neurosurgical institute was developed as a satellite of Henry Ford Hospital, allowing Dr. Diaz to continue his microvascular research, publishing over 19 articles and 20 book chapters. During this time, Dr. Diaz also furthered his interests in leadership and administration by completing a Master's of Business Administration degree from Central Michigan University in 1988.

Returning to Michigan in 1990, Dr. Diaz was recruited to the position of Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery at Wayne State University. Under Dr. Diaz's leadership, the neurosurgery department has grown from primarily a regional center with a staff of two neurosurgeons to an internationally recognized center of excellence, staffed by 13 neurosurgeons attracting visiting health care professionals and patient referrals from around the world. The residency program has become one of the most highly sought programs because of the diversity and volume of clinical experience, and the opportunity to develop independent research projects. Dr. Diaz has continued his research in neurovascular microsurgery, reflected by over 245 published articles and 126 book chapters total to date. Dr. Diaz furthered his interest in medical malpractice by completing a law degree at Wayne State University in 1995.

Dr. Diaz is active in numerous professional societies, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Neurosurgical Society of America, the Federation of Latin American Neurosurgical Societies, the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics, and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. He is currently developing a neurosurgical educational program through the World Federation to be used in conjunction with the World Health Organization internationally.

Scuba diving, underwater photography, and running are enjoyed by Dr. Diaz and his wife, Dr. Vicki Diaz. Together, they have five children, Fernando, David, Jaime, Sean and Patrick.