The Medical College of Wisconsin has named Dr. Shekar Kurpad as its next president and CEO, the institution announced Tuesday.

Kurpad, a professor of neurosurgery and senior associate dean for neuroscience at the Medical of Wisconsin, will become MCW’s seventh leader on July 1. He will succeed Dr. John Raymond Sr., who has held the role since 2010 and will transition to a faculty position while assisting with the leadership change.

MCW Board of Trustees Chair John Donofrio said Kurpad was selected after a national search and cited his leadership experience and track record in academic medicine.

“He is uniquely positioned to guide MCW forward, building on our strong foundation, while advancing academic medicine through our patient care, research, education and community engagement missions,” Donofrio said in the announcement.

Kurpad currently serves as founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience, a statewide initiative launched in 2022 that brings together hundreds of clinicians and scientists across multiple health systems. In that role, he has worked to expand research, clinical trials and patient care coordination in neuroscience.

A board-certified neurosurgeon and researcher, Kurpad has performed nearly 15,000 surgical procedures and authored more than 150 research papers, with a focus on spinal cord injury. He has also mentored dozens of medical students and researchers throughout his career, according to the announcement.

Within MCW and its partner systems, Kurpad has overseen neuroscience-related programs generating more than $400 million in services and has helped secure major partnerships, including funding for programs supporting veterans and first responders.

Kurpad earned his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College in India and a PhD from Duke University.

During Raymond’s tenure, MCW’s revenue has doubled from $798.4 million in fiscal year 2009 to $1.61 billion in fiscal year 2024. Its philanthropic support has increased more than 400% from $18 million in fiscal year 2010 to $95.8 million in fiscal year 2023. Research expenditures have doubled from $157 million in fiscal year 2009 to $346.7 million in fiscal year 2024. Clinical trials funding has expanded from $7 million in fiscal year 2010 to $35.5 million in fiscal year 2024. The number of patient visits has grown from 1.6 million in 2010 to 4.8 million in 2024.

“His vision, integrity and unwavering dedication have positioned MCW for a strong and promising future,” said Donofrio.