Chair, Department of Surgery

The Chair serves as the strategic, academic, and administrative leader of the Department of Surgery, responsible for advancing the department's mission across clinical care, research, education, and service. The Chair will provide visionary leadership to support the continued growth and excellence of the department while cultivating strong partnerships across the School of Medicine, health system, affiliated hospitals, and community partners. Working closely with health system leadership and fellow department chairs, the Chair will expand and strengthen the department's clinical enterprise, promote innovation in surgical care, and enhance the department's national reputation.

The Chair will be responsible for fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture that supports faculty, trainees, staff, and learners while attracting and retaining outstanding talent. In alignment with the School of Medicine's strategic priorities, the Chair will advance a robust research enterprise by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting surgeon-scientists, and expanding opportunities for translational, clinical, outcomes, and population health research. An appreciation for the broader mission of the institution and the ability to lead effectively within a complex, matrixed academic health system will be essential.

The Chair will also oversee and strengthen the department's educational programs, ensuring excellence in surgical residency and fellowship training, medical student education, and faculty development. Equally important, the Chair will integrate research, education, clinical care, quality improvement, and community engagement to sustain a thriving academic department and surgical practice. This role presents an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking leader to shape the future of academic surgery, mentor the next generation of surgeons, and position the department for continued impact at the regional, national, and international levels.

The incoming Chair will be responsible for:

• Articulating and advancing a cohesive vision and operational roadmap that strengthens efficiency, elevates service quality, and encourages innovation across the Department. Working closely with the SOM and health system leaders, this individual will update and implement a strategic plan that aligns with broader institutional priorities.
• Serving as a visible advocate and ambassador for the Department within UC Davis, throughout the region, and on national platforms.
• Driving the expansion and integration of toptier surgical services offered by the Department.
• Motivating and supporting faculty, staff, and trainees with a strong emphasis on professional growth and the recruitment of outstanding talent.
• Overseeing the Department's research enterprise while mentoring investigators and promoting collaboration across disciplines.
• Ensuring rigorous performance and quality oversight for all surgical providers, fostering a culture rooted in trust, transparency, and accountability, and striving for excellence in clinical outcomes.
• Upholding the highest standards in the Department's educational programs and those it supports across the
  institution.
• Building and strengthening strategic partnerships across the SOM, UC Davis Health, and the wider
  community to align clinical and research initiatives with institutional goals.
• Managing departmental finances and longterm sustainability through responsible budgeting and resource
  stewardship.

Expectations and responsibilities as an Academic Senate faculty member include:

• Clinical service in the area of specialty, as applicable.
• Teach medical students, residents, and fellows.
• Conduct bench/clinical/translational research leading to peer-reviewed publication.
• University and professional service.

Further expectations are determined by faculty series.

To see the full position description and to apply visit: Browse Open Recruitments or Log In - AP Recruit

• M.D., D.O., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
• ACGME-accredited residency training in Surgery and current Board certification.
• Possess, or be eligible for, a California Medical License.
• Possess academic credentials and accomplishments for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or higher at UC Davis School of Medicine.

• Progressive leadership experience in an academic medical center environment.
• Demonstrated success as a leader in a Department or Division of Surgery of an academic entity of comparable size and scope.
• A national reputation in the field and a distinguished record of scholarly research activity, teaching, and clinical care.
• Track record as a respected leader with strong business acumen and the ability to grow a department, make sound fiduciary decisions, measure and improve productivity and outcomes, develop others, work collaboratively, and take appropriate business risks to achieve goals.
• Excellence in teaching and a track record of developing the careers of faculty, staff, and students.
• Proven ability to build productive teams and collaborate across departmental and institutional lines.
• Demonstrated success advancing and managing a diverse workforce, including an outstanding track record of recruitment and development of faculty and trainees; one who leverages a national reputation to attract the highest level of talent.
• Experience supporting and advancing surgical education across all levels, including medical student clerkships, residency, and fellowship programs, with a commitment to educational innovation.
• Demonstrated record of academic achievement, including scholarship, research leadership, and/or program development, with the ability to grow research programs and support increased extramural funding.
• A track record as a creative and strategic thinker who is able to envision and manage the future. Experience in managing growth and change, resolving conflict, and building consensus, as well as a demonstrated willingness to seize opportunities while assuming responsibility for appropriate risks.
• A skilled negotiator who can advocate for resources and support for their team and Department in alignment with goals and objectives of a broader organization.
• A visionary and transformational leader who can ideate and communicate a plan for the future and drive a group towards a set of goals over time.
• A mentor who can help individuals grow towards their strengths and interests and create synergies within a group to grow collectively.
• A competent businessperson with a grounding in financial principles who can deliver on ambitious goals in fastchanging environments.
• A calculated risk-taker who can lead effective change with sensitivity to its potential impact on the Department, its culture, and individual faculty and staff members.
• An enthusiastic and positive leader who is accessible and visible to faculty and staff and can act as a model for behavior and work ethic for those they lead.
• An effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to facilitate communication in all settings and methods of communication.

• 5 required (contact information only)

References will only be contacted regarding those candidates who advance to final consideration for the position and will not be reviewed unless needed. Candidates will be notified prior to the university initiating reference contact.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

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