Dr. David Blumenthal Plans to Resign his ONC Post this Spring

Dr. David Blumenthal announced his resignation as health IT coordinator and will return to Harvard University where he had previously served as a professor.

“As you know, I have told Secretary Sebelius that I will be returning to my academic home this spring, as was planned when I accepted the position of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology,” Blumenthal said in a memo to ONC colleagues.   ”While we still have important work to do together, including the assurance of a productive transition for ONC, now is the time for me to express my deep gratitude to all of my ONC colleagues, and my admiration for all you have accomplished.”

As reported by Kaiser Health News Dr. Blumenthal is the second top Obama administration official to recently announce plans to return to Harvard, where rules require faculty to return within two years to retain tenure. Top White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers stepped down at the end of 2010.