Dr. Ian Heger, the best pediatric neurosurgeon & only Chiari specialist in the state of Georgia, is due to leave CHOG in June 2019, because administrators refuse to renew his contract. He was even named one of America's Top Surgeons & "Super Doctor" for several years. This decision is not only devastating to the hospital, but to numerous parents & his patients. Myself, as well as many others, are dedicated to following him wherever he practices because we trust his expertise & our children truly deserve the best, and we are confident in placing them under his care as being just that. Removing him from this hospital will mean that we will have to travel great lengths to continue to see him & the hospital will lose hundreds of patients, as well as profits. There are already some who travel out of state just to see him & some have even moved here to be closer to him. Some parents may not be able to afford such extensive trips & may be forced to seek other less qualified neurosurgeons, resulting in poor outcomes for these children. A Chiari-knowledgable neurosurgeon is crucial, because most do not know much about it & can actually make the condition worse. We humbly ask that you please reconsider this choice!