National Leader in Neurology and Neurocritical Care Chosen to Lead at OU Health, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

After a nationwide search, Dr. Michel Torbey, M.D., MBA, MPH, FAAN, FANA, FNCS, FAHA, has been named Chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and the Clinical Service Chief of Neurology at OU Health. He will also hold the Kathryn G. and Doss Owen Lynn, MD Chair in Neurology. In addition to his clinical responsibilities with OU Health, he will have educational and research responsibilities for the university, driving the academic health system’s three-part mission of clinical care, research and education. Torbey is a nationally recognized physician scientist in neurology and neurocritical care. Torbey will begin in his role Sept. 1, 2024.

Most recently, Torbey served as professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of New Mexico. Under his leadership, UNM expanded specialized services in various areas, including child neurology, stroke, neurocritical care, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders and movement disorders. He also spearheaded significant growth in clinical services, research initiatives, and educational programs within the neurology department. His strategic efforts led to a doubling in the department's size, with a strong emphasis on program development and faculty recruitment.

Torbey’s impact extended beyond clinical growth, as he was pivotal in enhancing UNM’s research and education profile, overseeing the expansion of residency and fellowship programs, including those focused on stroke, epilepsy, and neurocritical care.

Notably, he contributed to an increase in NIH funding, improved the department's Blue Ridge Ranking and facilitated the establishment of key research centers such as an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and an NIH StrokeNet research hub.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Torbey join the OU College of Medicine as the new chair of the Department of Neurology,” said Ian F. Dunn, M.D., FACS, FAANS, executive dean of the college. “His addition marks a significant milestone for our institution as we continue our mission of excellence in healthcare, research and education. I am confident that, under his leadership, our neurology program will continue to see unprecedented growth, solidifying our position as a premier educational program and a regional leader in clinical care.”

Prior to his time at UNM, Torbey was a professor of neurology at the Ohio State University and held academic appointments at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking research in stroke and neurocritical care, serving as Principal Investigator for the Southwestern Stroke Alliance Network, an NIH-funded stroke research network. He has also published more than 200 papers and presentations. He has held several Board of Directors positions in several national and international organizations. He is past-President of the neurocritical care society and Council member of the Association of University Professors of Neurology.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Torbey to Oklahoma to lead and continue to build a modern neurology services platform that improves the lives of Oklahomans,” said OU Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH, FACP. “As Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system, OU Health is developing destination programs so that no Oklahoman needs to leave the state for the highest level, research-driven specialty and sub-specialty care.”