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Shekhar Kurpad to lead Medical College of Wisconsin
He has extensive research experience in spinal cord injury and is internationally recognized in the field of imaging biomarkers for spinal cord injury and cervical myelopathy.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 16, Apr 2026
- 10:42 EDT
- 27
Shekhar Kurpad / mcw.edu
Indian-origin neurosurgeon Shekhar Kurpad has been appointed as the president and chief executive officer of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), effective July 1, 2026.
Currently the founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS), Kurpad was unanimously appointed to succeed John R. Raymond, who has served as MCW’s president and CEO since 2010, to become the institution's seventh president and chief executive officer, a release stated.
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In the new role, Kurpad will spearhead MCW’s strategic initiatives aimed at fostering growth, promoting academic and scientific excellence, and securing the institution’s financial sustainability. He will cultivate collaborations with clinical partners, policymakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders. Additionally, he will play a pivotal role in enhancing philanthropic efforts by articulating MCW’s vision and nurturing genuine relationships.
“Dr. Kurpad was selected following a comprehensive national search and brings a proven record of leadership, innovation and impact,” said John Donofrio, chair of the MCW board of trustees. “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.”
A board-certified neurosurgeon, Kurpad is best known for his pioneering work in spinal cord injury, including leadership in major clinical trials and development of imaging biomarkers. Since 2022, he has served as the founding director of WINS, a first-of-its-kind statewide neuroscience network that integrates over 600 clinicians and scientists across MCW and its partner institutions. Under his leadership, the initiative has advanced clinical care, research, and patient outcomes while strengthening institutional collaboration and reputation.
Throughout his career, Kurpad has performed nearly 15,000 surgeries and authored over 150 research publications. He has also mentored close to 100 trainees across medical and research programs, contributing significantly to the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
In addition to overseeing neuroscience strategy as senior associate dean at MCW, he has led large-scale service lines, expanded research funding, and driven key initiatives, including the $12.5 million BRAVE (Building Resilience through Action in VEterans and first responders) program supporting veterans and first responders.
He previously served as chair of neurosurgery (2017–2024) and chief of neurosurgery at the Zablocki VA Medical Center for over a decade, during which the department doubled in size, expanded its clinical and research footprint, and achieved top national benchmarks in spine and neurotrauma care. He also established endowed chairs, expanded fellowship training, and introduced a resident research fund.
A fellow of multiple national neurosurgical organizations and an examiner for the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Kurpad holds an MD from Bangalore Medical College and a PhD from Duke University, with further training and research experience across leading U.S. institutions, the National Institutes of Health, and the Karolinska Institute.
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