William C. Welch, MD, chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian and director of the UPMC Spine Services Division, provided a lecture on ‘Regenerative Spine Surgery,' May 18, marking his installlment as the Peter E. Sheptak Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.

The endowed chair is the fifth neurosurgery chair at the university and honors the 30+ year career of Peter E. Sheptak, MD, vice-chairman of clinical affairs for the department.

The installment lecture at Wesley Posvar Hall -- highlighting the groundbreaking work performed by Dr. Welch in the areas of artificial spine replacement -- was attended by family, friends and colleagues of both Dr. Welch and Dr. Sheptak, as well as various School of Medicine officials.

A reception and dinner at the Fox Chapel Golf Club followed the lecture.

A fully endowed chair provides annual benefit to the holder of the chair by facilitating his or her work within the department. Current holders of endowed chairs in the department have achieved national and international recognition for their clinical, research, and teaching abilities.