Leadership Announcement: Chief, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nir Lipsman, as Chief of Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, effective July 1, 2024.

Dr. Lipsman began his career with Sunnybrook in 2017 as Staff Neurosurgeon in the Department of Surgery. Since that time, he has held numerous leadership positions. Some of his current positions include being Harquail Chair in Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook; Clinical Research Director, Sunnybrook Focused Ultrasound Centre of Excellence, SRI; and Residency Program Director of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. Dr. Lipsman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto with cross appointments to Department of Psychiatry and Department of Medicine (Neurology), a Canadian first for a neurosurgeon. Dr. Lipsman is a Senior Scientist at SRI.

Dr. Lipsman is a busy clinician and an accomplished researcher. He is a recognized leader, nationally and internationally, in the field of neuroscience. Under Dr. Lipsman’s leadership, Sunnybrook established global leadership in focused ultrasound and secured Canada’s only Focused Ultrasound Centre of Excellence designation. Following the establishment of Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Dr. Lipsman has led one of the world’s most comprehensive neuromodulation programs, including 19 clinical trials, almost all world-firsts. Dr. Lipsman is a sought-after speaker. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, including in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet, and has had his work profiled in The New York Times and CNN. Dr. Lipsman has received numerous awards, including more recently the 2023 Dean’s Alumni Emerging Leader Award, U of T; in 2022 Young Investigator Award, International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound; in 2022, George Armstrong-Peters Award for Most promising young surgeon-scientist in Department of Surgery; in 2020, XL Canada’s Top 40 under 40, Caldwell Bankers; and in 2020, Ferenc Jolesz Memorial Award, FUS Foundation for Outstanding international contribution to the Focused Ultrasound Field.

Dr. Lipsman is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. From 2007 to 2016, Dr. Lipsman completed postgraduate training in Neurosurgery and Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. He holds certification in Neurosurgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He also holds a PhD from Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto.

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Anthony Levitt, who will be completing his term in July after ten years of outstanding leadership. His significant contributions include pioneering advocacy and research in mood disorders, exemplary leadership of the Family Navigation Program, and foundational work in the creation of the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre. Dr. Levitt's dedication and vision have profoundly impacted our community, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.

Please join us welcoming Dr. Nir Lipsman to his new role. We are confident that he will continue to make lasting, meaningful impacts on the lives of the patients he cares for, on the neuroscience landscape in Canada and the world, and will contribute to Sunnybrook’s vision of inventing the future of health care.