American College of Physician Executives CEO Dr. Barry Silbaugh said Friday he will step down at the end of the year.

Silbaugh, 63, said he would help the organization find a replacement, when the national search for a physician CEO begins in April, according to an ACPE press release.

Silbaugh joined the group in 2008, replacing ACPE founder Roger Schenke. As chief of the country's biggest physician-executive organization, he helped redesign the group's Website, expand social media outreach and create a "physician leader" development program, ACPE said.

"I accepted the position with the understanding that I'd be a transitional leader for the College," Silbaugh said in a statement. "With that work concluded, now it's time for the next phase of growth and leadership."

ACPE said Silbaugh plans to only work part-time in health care while spending more time with his family and pursuing his interests, such as international travel. He will continue as vice chair of the National Patient Safety Foundation's Board of Governor, ACPE said.

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