There are neurosurgeons who make a mark — and then there’s Dr. Donald F. Dohn. On August 16, Don turns 100 years old, and we’re not just lighting candles — we’re celebrating a legacy that shaped the very foundation of modern neurosurgery. 
From his early days in Buffalo, New York, to the hallowed halls of the Cleveland Clinic, Don’s story is the stuff of legend. After earning his medical degree from the University of Buffalo, he trained under giants like Dr. Walter Hamby and Dr. W. James Gardner, Jr., becoming a force of nature in his own right. He didn’t just train neurosurgeons — he built neurosurgical training. Over 45 neurosurgeons and fellows passed through his tutelage as he helped formalize the educational structure of neurosurgical residency, moving it beyond the traditional apprenticeship model.
And then there’s his leadership. Don Dohn is one of the very few neurosurgeons in history to have served as president of both the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (1971) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1975). That’s not just impressive — it’s nearly unheard of. His colleagues recognized early on that Don brought more than skill to the table; he brought wisdom, character and a deep belief in the power of organized neurosurgery to improve care through shared ideas and collective progress.
Even after “retirement,” Don wasn’t one to sit still. He left the Cleveland Clinic in 1981 for private practice in Pascagoula, Mississippi, only to be called back to launch the neurosurgical program at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Fort Lauderdale. And when his former Pascagoula partner, Dr. John McCloskey, was called to active duty in the Army, guess who stepped up again to fill in until 1991? Of course, it was Don. Tireless. Committed. Relentless in his service to others.
Now happily retired in Fairhope, Alabama, with his beloved wife, Carolyn, Don has spent his years flying planes, sailing the Gulf, traveling, and enjoying his ever-growing family. In fact, he just kicked off his 100th birthday celebrations with a joyful gathering of friends, neighbors, nurses and neurosurgical colleagues. It was a celebration of a life that has touched so many, and we’re all better for it.
Let’s talk legacy for a moment. Don has three married children, nine grandchildren (eight of whom are married) and thirteen great-grandchildren — with one more on the way in July 2025. His impact as a father and grandfather is every bit as powerful as his impact on the operating room.
Don Dohn’s life reminds us what’s possible when brilliance meets compassion, and when leadership is driven by service rather than ego. He’s not just a centenarian. He’s a cornerstone of neurosurgery. A mentor. A visionary. A colleague. A friend.
Please join us in celebrating Dr. Donald F. Dohn — 100 years young, and still one of the giants on whose shoulders we proudly stand.
Editor’s Note: It’s August, so we invite you to join the conversation and celebrate #NeurosurgeryAwarenessMonth. You can also engage with us on X by following @Neurosurgery and @AANSNeuro using the hashtags #neurosurgery and #AANS.
