Dr. Michael Jerva, pioneering neurosurgeon Known for spinal disc procedure, he also co-wrote 6 textbooks

An internationally known neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Jerva was chiefof neurosurgery at Mercy Hospital, where his career spanned 40 years.

The accomplishment that gained him worldwide recognition was hiswork with Chymopapain injection into a spinal disc. He also partneredthe first stereotactic radiosurgery in Illinois, a technique thathelped many patients avoid extensive surgery.

Dr. Jerva, 70, died Sunday of a heart attack in his Glenview home.

Reared on the South Side, he graduated from John CarrollUniversity in Cleveland and the Stritch School of Medicine, LoyolaUniversity Chicago. He started his career as director of pediatricneurology at Children's Memorial …