James (Jim) R. Doty, MD, FACS, FICS, FAANS, a beloved member of the Stanford Neurosurgery family, and the founder and director of the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research (CCARE), passed away on July 16, 2025.
He will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, faculty, generations of trainees, and grateful patients.
Doty was renowned in multiple areas, including neurosurgery, neuroscience, research, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Most notably, he is known for his work exploring the neuroscience of manifestation and how it can heal the problems people face today, as seen in his books as a NY Times bestselling author.
Journey to Stanford
Doty’s career journey began when he completed his undergraduate studies in biological science at the University of California, Irvine. Following that, he attended Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans for his medical training. After being awarded a U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship, he completed his internship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI in 1982 and his neurosurgery residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. in 1987.
Additionally, Doty specialized in pediatric neurosurgery and completed a research fellowship in neurophysiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). He would later serve nine years on active duty with the U.S. Army Medical Department, rising to the rank of major.
In 1997, Doty joined Stanford as faculty, later transitioning to adjunct faculty. He is well known for his role leading the Stanford CCARE, of which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the founding benefactor. CCARE was founded in 2008 with the explicit goal of promoting, supporting, and conducting rigorous scientific studies of compassion and altruistic behavior.
One of Doty’s colleagues at Stanford was John Adler, MD, the Dorothy and Thye King Chan professor in Neurosurgery (emeritus). The two first met during residency when Jim came to visit his friend, who was Adler’s fellow resident. Years later the two reconnected when Doty, then practicing in Orange County, joined Stanford.
“Jim had a larger-than-life presence,” Adler recalled. “Standing at 6-foot-5, he radiated a rare joy that was hard to find in others. He brought a positive and adventurous spirit to our department.”
Adler, who is known for his creation of the innovative CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery device, attributed Doty to playing a pivotal role in its success. The CyberKnife is used to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
“Jim’s involvement was crucial for commercialization of CyberKnife,” Adler said. “He helped sell the second machine to a private practice radiologist, which was a major milestone. Then, when the company faced financial difficulties, he made a critical investment and began traveling to Silicon Valley from Orange County more regularly. I’m immensely grateful for Jim’s impact both professionally and personally.”
Doty established a reputation as an expert in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery. As a neuroscientist, Doty contributed to several peer-reviewed journals, concentrating on the neural foundations of compassion and its benefits for mental and physical health, as well as its impact on longevity.
Focused on Compassion
Doty gained a reputation globally, traveling the world to present on meditation, compassion, and self-compassion at various universities, symposiums, and events, including TEDx. Additionally, he ran his own podcast through CCARE, where he interviewed prominent figures such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Werner Erhard, Thich Nhat Hahn, and Jon Hamm.
He also authored a self-help book called “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart” which was translated into almost 40 languages. He also wrote “Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything” which was published in 2024.
As a philanthropist, he supported health clinics worldwide and initiatives for the disabled, as well as programs for teens and adolescents impacted by AIDS/HIV. He has supported research programs at various universities and established endowed chairs at multiple universities.
Former Chair, Gary K. Steinberg, MD, PhD,Bernard and Ronni Lacroute-William Randolph Hearst professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences and professor, by courtesy, of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, also had the opportunity to work alongside Doty.
“Jim was not only a remarkable neurosurgeon but also profoundly committed to compassion,” Steinberg said. “His work has inspired many to embrace compassion as a way to heal the relationship between the mind and body. His absence is felt deeply by our entire Stanford community as we honor the life and legacy he built. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”
Originally Posted:
https://med.stanford.edu/neurosurgery/news/2025/doty.html
