Chief's resignation stuns McLean staff
The new president of McLean Hospital resigned unexpectedly last month, citing undisclosed ``personal and medical reasons" that forced him to step down after less than six months at the helm of one of the nation's leading psychiatric hospitals.
The resignation of Dr. Jack M. Gorman , a prominent New York City psychiatrist who had been hired by McLean after a lengthy search, stunned staff members, who said he seemed fully engaged in his demanding job before he went on medical leave in late April. Gorman never returned, submitting his resignation to the board of trustees May 18.
Dr. Gary Gottlieb , the chief executive of Brigham and Women's Hospital, will fill Gorman's post while the board looks for a new president for the Belmont facility, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and a part of Partners HealthCare.
``This place is very precious. It is extremely important to American psychiatry. . . . I will do whatever's necessary to make sure that it is nurtured and it is cared for," said Gottlieb, who will also take on Gorman's job as chairman of Partners Psychiatry and Mental Health, giving him oversight of mental healthcare at all hospitals in the Partners system.
McLean selected Gorman, 54, as its leader in October, hiring him from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he had been a noted researcher in anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. He was also highly regarded by patients, winning awards from leading advocacy groups.
``He's just an outstanding person in every regard," said Karl Ackerman , president of the Manic-Depressive and Depressive Association of Boston, an advocacy group with offices at McLean.
Starting work in January, Gorman apparently impressed staff members as an able administrator, reviewing the entire research program and meeting personally with a wide range of patients, students, and colleagues.
People who worked with Gorman assumed he would be out for a short time when his sick leave began, and at a May 16 benefit dinner, McLean officials were urging supporters to send cards wishing Gorman a speedy recovery and gave no indication to guests that he might not return. Two days later, Gorman resigned from McLean, as well as his Partners job and a full professorship at Harvard Medical School.
Gorman was the first permanent president to serve both as leader of McLean and supervisor of mental health for the other Partners hospitals, including Massachusetts General. Gottlieb said the next president is likely to have a similar job description.
McLean officials would not elaborate on the reason for Gorman's departure, citing the right to privacy. Gorman did not respond to requests for comment.
Scott Allen can be reached at allen@globe.com. 
