Description

Thomas Jefferson University seeks a collaborative and visionary physician leader to serve as the next Chair of the Department of Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, located on the University’s 13-acre campus in Center City Philadelphia.

Reporting to the Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the Chair will uphold the Department’s legacy of innovation and excellence in education and clinical care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. The Chair will shape Surgery into a unified and integrated model of care across Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.

In addition, the successful candidate will play a key strategic role in leading the Clinical Care Collaborative for Surgery within the University’s health system partner – Jefferson Health.

Jefferson Health is a network of 32 hospitals, comprised of both employed and independent physician practices contractually-aligned with Jefferson. In line with Jefferson’s commitment to providing enhanced access to value-based care, the Chair will pursue strategic opportunities to effectively scale the value proposition of a growing system, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality care, aligned with network standards and expected by Jefferson patients.

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Qualifications

• A clinically active physician leader in the field of Surgery, supported by a track record of successfully securing external funding in support of impactful research and an outstanding record of scholarly contributions which merits appointment at the rank of associate or full professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
• An administrative leader with an academic career trajectory showing increasing levels of administrative responsibilities, ideally culminating in serving as Chair, Vice Chair, or Division Chief for a department of Surgery. A proven record of success in advancing departmental goals and initiatives, including a demonstrated capacity to support the growth and well-being of faculty, clinicians, and trainees – including the development and mentorship of junior faculty.
• Fiscal management experience overseeing complex budgets and allocating resources efficiently to support strategic priorities.
• A demonstrated commitment to implementing equitable practices and fostering inclusive communities in all aspects of the Department’s mission – including the recruitment and career advancement of faculty, as well as patient care initiatives.
• An MD, DO, or MD/PhD degree, current board certification in Surgery, and licensed/eligible to practice in the state of Pennsylvania.
  
  
  

Key Competencies & Attributes

This position requires a leader with empathy, vision, and drive, as well as a combination of organizational leadership skills and the interpersonal ability to lead and inspire excellence. The desired qualifications and experience of an ideal Chair include the following:

• A proven ability to foster and sustain collaborative relationships across departments, centers, institutions, and external partners. An effective leader of multidisciplinary teams within an academic community, which includes consensus building, transparency, and candid communication.
• A proven ability to develop and expand innovative clinical programs and enhance access to services. A physician leader capable of advancing academic achievement, expanding scholarship, and supporting strategic investment in faculty and their research (clinical and translational), who has a working understanding of the infrastructure and staff required to support clinical trials.
• A demonstrated commitment to clinical excellence, including the maintenance of care standards to ensure quality of care and patient safety.
  
  
  

Procedure for Candidacy
 

For full consideration, applicants should submit a Statement of Interest (see guidance below) and detailed curriculum vitae to: Katie McFadden at [email protected] by August 23,2026. Confidential inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations can be submitted to the same address. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

In their Statement of Interest, applicants should highlight their academic and clinical leadership experience and accomplishments and are encouraged to specifically address how they’ve contributed to:

• Strategically enhance and optimize access to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities.
• Emphasize interdisciplinary research collaborations and grow research congruent with a vibrant clinical strategy, e.g., expanding clinical trial opportunities by leveraging a significantly expanded clinical and community footprint.
• Fostering equitable practices and building inclusive communities; ensuring health equity.
• Standardization of clinical care and other efforts to ensure patient safety and consistency in the delivery of high-quality care.
• Innovative and strategic ways to support, develop, and recruit faculty and clinicians in response to the challenges facing academic Surgery.
• Enhancing educational quality and innovation in Surgery.
  
  
  

Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.