The North Shore-LIJ Health System announced today that Thomas Milhorat, MD, is stepping down as chairman of neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, and retiring from his clinical practice to continue his academic and research activities with the health system.

Lawrence G. Smith, MD, chief medical officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, said Dr. Milhorat’s retirement has been in the works for many months. Over the past year, Dr. Milhorat and the North Shore-LIJ Health System have been discussing a succession plan for the Department of Neurosurgery, considering his age (73), and the need to transition his significant administrative responsibilities as chairman.

In mid-2008, Dr. Milhorat agreed that North Shore-LIJ should commence the process of finding his successor. An extensive national search was launched nine months ago and North Shore-LIJ leaders are in the final stages of the selection process, said Dr. Smith, adding that an announcement on the next chair of neurosurgery could be made later this month.

“Dr. Milhorat is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on Chiari malformation, and his surgical expertise has benefitted thousands of patients around the world,” Dr. Smith said. “In his new role with the health system, Dr. Milhorat will continue his academic work in the understanding of the underlying causes and treatment of patients with Chiari malformation.”

Dr. Milhorat, who joined the North Shore-LIJ Health System in 2002, has been practicing medicine since 1961 and has published extensively.

“As the Department of Neurosurgery moves forward under new leadership, we’re confident that we can build on our growing reputation for excellence that has been made possible by our entire team of neurosurgeons,” Dr. Smith said.

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