According to Variety, ER star Sherry Stringfield is hanging up her scrubs for a second time. Stringfield had previously been set to appear in a handful of episodes this upcoming season, but in a statement, the actress said she had instead decided not to return to the NBC skein upon further consideration.

"I am extremely grateful for the time I spent on 'ER,' " she said. "It is a wonderful show, and there are so many people I will miss. But I'm ready for new roles and new challenges."

Stringfield was one of the show's original cast members in its fall 1994 launch, playing Dr. Susan Lewis. But after the show's first three seasons, Stringfield asked to be let out of her contract in order to relocate to New York. She returned to the show in 2001 and will have played Dr. Lewis for a total of 7½ seasons.

Warner Bros. TV, which produces the long-running hit medical drama, declined comment. ER enters its 12th season this fall.

Stringfield will next be seen in the indie feature Gone. Other credits include NYPD Blue and the features Autumn In New York and 54.