Odette Harris, MD, MPH

Dr. Odette Harris is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and Director of Brain Injury for Stanford Medical Center.

Dr Harris manages and coordinates the medical and surgical care of all patients suffering from traumatic brain injury that are admitted to the Stanford System.  She focuses on implementing and streamlining current treatment algorithms aimed at improving the outcomes of this growing population. The primary focus is specific not only to mortality, but to functional outcome improvements.  Dr Harris works in a collaborative manner with colleagues in Surgical Trauma, Neuro-Critical Care, Nursing, Rehabilitation and all related Specialties.

She is the Associate Chief of Staff, Rehabilitation at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, which includes responsibilities for the varied programs of the Polytrauma System of Care, Spinal Cord Injury, Blind Rehabilitation Services and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  The programs hold regional and national oversight, as part of a national infrastructure.   

As a Polytrauma Center, the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System encompasses Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers, The Polytrauma Network Sites, The Polytrauma Transitional Program, the Regional Amputation Center and the Assistive Technology Center.  The administrative, clinical, research and educational/training efforts related to these multiple and varying programs are her responsibility as the Associate Chief of Staff, Polytrauma.

Dr Harris is also the Site Director and Principal Investigator of the Defense Veterans and Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System is one of 5 VA sites.  The administrative and educational efforts for the organization are her responsibility as the Site Director and Principal Investigator.  

The primary focus of DVBIC is TBI specific evaluation, treatment and follow-up care for all military personnel, veterans and their dependents.  This encompasses TBI specific research, training and education.