Remembering Dr. James R. Doty

With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Dr. James (Jim) R. Doty, a distinguished Tulane alumnus and globally recognized expert on compassion.

Dr. Doty graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1981 and went on to lead a remarkable career as a neurosurgeon, innovator, educator, and author. At Stanford University, he served as a professor of neurosurgery and played a pioneering role in the development and use of the CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery device. He was also a leader in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery.

In addition to his medical achievements, Dr. Doty was the founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford, where he explored the neuroscience of compassion and how it profoundly impacts both mental and physical well-being.

Through his bestselling memoir, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart, he shared his personal journey from a difficult childhood to a life shaped by empathy and resilience. “Each of us has this ability to change how we respond to life’s circumstances and, by doing so, change how the world responds to us,” he wrote, words that feel especially poignant today. His talks and writings were truly compelling and inspirational.

Dr. Doty remained deeply connected to Tulane throughout his life, serving on the School of Medicine’s Board of Governors and generously endowing the chair I am honored to hold. His legacy also lives on through the James Doty Compassion Lecture series, which we launched in 2022 to inspire the next generation of compassionate physicians and scientists.

Dr. Doty passed away on July 16, surrounded by his loving family. We are grateful for all he gave to Tulane and to the world. We have lost an incredible friend.

Lee

L. Lee Hamm, MD
Senior Vice President & Dean
Tulane University School of Medicine