Recognizing a neuroanatomy pioneer at 2026 Keller Lectures
Honoring Dr. Jeffrey Keller, a trailblazer in brain anatomy who has helped to train generations of neurosurgeons in Cincinnati and around the country, the 2026 Keller Lectures reinforced the maxim that innovation in brain surgery is seeded by an intimate knowledge of the structures and pathways of the brain.
Presented January 10 by the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation, the lecture series is named for Dr. Keller, a retired neuroanatomist at the University of Cincinnati who trained surgeons, residents and medical students in applied neuroanatomy for more than 40 years.
“The greatest example for all of us is just the human being that Dr. Keller is,” Mayfield neurosurgeon Dr. Vincent DiNapoli said. “He’s spent his entire career in service to others.”
The Mayfield Foundation has presented the Keller Lectures for more than a dozen years. Sponsors for this year’s event included Surgical One, Stryker, Gamma Tile and Karl Storz, along with the Keller Lectureship Fund and the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation.
This year’s Keller Lecturer was Dr. Ellen Air, chair of neurosurgery at Michigan State University, as well as chair of neurosurgery and co-medical director for the Neuroscience Service Line at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Air spoke on “Surgical Approaches to Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.” She said her training at Mayfield helped reinforce the importance of learning the anatomy before surgery and optimizing the surgical setup. She joined others in emphasizing the value of Dr. Keller’s training.
“Knowing that you were there for us as a mentor, an outside voice of reason and wisdom, was incredible,” she said to Dr. Keller, who attended the event.
In her lecture, Dr. Air said neurosurgeons are seeing more complex epilepsy cases and are relying on less invasive surgical techniques that produce fewer side effects. Unfortunately, the average temporal lobe epilepsy patient suffers seizures for about 20 years on medication before being offered curative surgical intervention. Over that time, repeated seizures can create “kindling” and expand the epileptic focus to more areas of the brain.
One example is the hippocampus, a brain structure located in the temporal lobe that is vital for learning, memory and other important functions. It can become scarred and is often the origin of the seizure. There are many factors that determine the trajectory of approach to the hippocampus, Dr. Air said.
“I have to know my anatomy,” she said. “I have to know where I am to get to the correct brain structures.”
In addition to the keynote lecture, Dr. Air also spoke on “The Importance of Feedback in Resident Education,” noting the ways physicians can support residents by mentoring them to concentrate on their strengths. The event also included hands-on cadaver sessions in the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center, a lab used year-round for training and education. Practicing neurosurgeons, including Dr. Air and another previous Keller Lecturer, Dr. Michael Chicoine, guided residents from multiple training institutions on the best approaches to complex anatomic regions.
During a formal tribute, a group of practicing neurosurgeons who were trained by Dr. Keller talked about his impact on their training and careers. A common theme was his intellectual curiosity and consistent support that helped them achieve more than they thought they could.
“Dr. Keller has always loved learning, and he feels comfortable exploring the unknown and expanding our knowledge and comfort with complex anatomy,” said Dr. Yair Gozal, a Mayfield neurosurgeon and brain tumor specialist. “Even in retirement, when researching anatomy outside of his comfort zone, he would take on these tasks and excel.”
About the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation:
The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation is an affiliated non-profit of Mayfield Brain & Spine. It collaborates with partners throughout the industry on leading-edge research on complex cranial and spine disorders. The Foundation also operates the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center, an advanced training center for medical residents, fellows and other training programs. Founded in 1937, Mayfield Brain & Spine is a nationally known independent neurosurgery practice, with 20 neurosurgeons, one orthopedic spine surgeon and six physicians specializing in interventional pain treatments or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Mayfield surgeons and providers served more than 36,600 patients in 2025.
Contact:
Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
cpeale@mayfieldclinic.com
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