Maya Babu is an experienced board-certified neurosurgeon and neuro-traumatologist. She is in full-time clinical practice and cares for patients with diverse brain and spine pathologies. An avid researcher, she served on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Board of Scientific Counselors where she made budgetary recommendations and evaluated funded research labs. She has served as an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) for the National Football League (NFL). In this role, she has been a sideline head/spine injury evaluator during pre-season, regular season, and playoff games. Dr. Babu has served on the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association which has more than $1 billion in assets. As a Board Member, she was a leader on the Finance Committee with responsibility overseeing P&L, served as a diligent contributor to the Search Committee for a new Public Member of the Board, and shared strategic insights on the Business Development Committee. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, she revamped the organization’s social media efforts to engage young neurosurgeons, enhanced grassroots membership efforts, and served as an active member of the Search Committee for the Editor in Chief of Neurosurgery, the highest impact neurosurgical journal. Dr. Babu graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was awarded The Dean’s Award. She graduated from the University of Minnesota summa cum laude with highest distinction with bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology. She completed neurosurgical residency and a Neurocritical Care fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and a neurotrauma fellowship at Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, a facility which trains the United States military in trauma resuscitation.
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“I have served as a leader in the American College of Surgeons since 2010. As Chair of the Resident and Associate Fellows Society, I developed a webinar series geared towards trainees that covered a range of topics including financial planning, how to develop an academic career, and tips for a successful job search. From 2010-2025, I served on the ACS Advisory Council for Neurosurgery and developed membership materials that effectively engaged subspecialist ACS members. I currently serve on the Young Fellows Association Governing Council and work with colleagues from multiple specialties to develop the YFA goals and activities. As Membership Committee Chair I lead the recruitment and education of YFA liaisons within the ACS. This is a time of significant change and challenge in surgery. The YFA’s role to shape the future of surgery is essential. My experiences as a leader, advocate, and mentor strengthen my ability to serve you as Vice Chair and ensure your voice is heard at the highest level of the YFA.”
