After almost 25 years of service to UAB and Children’s of Alabama, W. Jerry Oakes, M.D., the Dan Hendley Professor of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery in the UAB Department of Neurosurgery, will retire from clinical practice. Dr. Oakes will continue to be an active member of the Section, focusing on academic pursuits. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Oakes has raised the national prominence of the Section, the Department, Children’s of Alabama and UAB. Dr. Oakes has been recognized by his peers nationally with nominations and appointments to leadership positions including the Presidency of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery, the Accreditation Council of Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowships and the Head of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery-Pediatrics. Dr. Oakes is also a long-time member of the Children’s of Alabama Board of Trustees.

Dr. Oakes’ academic interests are in the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital condition of the brain and spine called the Chiari malformation as well as the treatment of patients with Spina Bifida. He has authored or co-authored more than 400 articles and 40 book chapters in the medical literature and is the lead editor of the definitive work on Chiari malformations, which is aptly titled “The Chiari Malformations”.

Despite his considerable accomplishments, Dr. Oakes’ demeanor is characterized by humility and quiet focus. These traits make him a wonderful leader, colleague and teacher. Fellowship candidates of the highest caliber have consistently sought the opportunity to train in the Section, and after completing fellowship under Dr. Oakes, many have gone on to faculty positions at distinguished centers across the country.

Prior to coming to Birmingham in 1992, Dr. Oakes was on faculty at Duke University, where he also completed medical school and neurosurgery residency. Dr. Oakes also spent time training at Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London, and in Zurich, Switzerland.