David Blumenthal, MD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, is stepping down from the helm at ONC this spring, the office confirmed Thursday.

News of his departure comes just 17 days before the HIMSS11 conference. The timing is fitting -- Blumenthal came onboard just two weeks prior to HIMSS09.

[Related: Original news item announcing his appointment to the ONC; Blumenthal's assertion that EHRs are an 'absolute requisite for doctors; The Final Rule on meaningful use]

Blumenthal told his staff in a memo that he will return to Harvard. Prior to his role at the ONC he was a practicing primary care physician and Harvard Medical school professor. He taught medicine and healthcare policy and served as director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute for Health Policy.

Read Blumenthal's letter to his staff on the next page.