Dr John Adams, dean of the Dunedin school, announced that Prof Tilyard had stepped aside from his appointment as the Elaine Gurr Professor of General Practice as of June 1, and had taken up a personal chair in general practice at the school.
The Elaine Gurr professorship would now be advertised internationally as a full-time position.
Prof Tilyard also works in his own private practice and is executive director of South Link Health, a not-for-profit incorporated society.
Dr Adams said Prof Tilyard had made a major contribution to the Dunedin school through the Elaine Gurr Chair, and there was now the prospect of significantly increasing the balance of senior academic staff in the general practice department.
Prof Tilyard, who had been appointed to the Elaine Gurr Chair in 1993, had headed the general practice department for 10 years and had served as acting dean of the Dunedin school for 18 months.
A new full-time professorship in rural general practice will also be advertised.
