Chair, Department of Surgery

Job Details 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. The chair will be the serve as the 9th endowed Samuel D. Gross Professor. 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. Job Description The Department of Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College Sidney Kimmel Medical College (chartered in 1824 as the Jefferson Medical College) is the fifth-oldest medical school in the United States and has more living graduates than any other medical school in the United States. In 1825, Jefferson established its Department of Surgery and became the first medical college in the country to establish a clinic for combined patient care and formal education. By 1877, the clinic had become the 125-bed Jefferson Medical College Hospital, the second hospital in the United States to be directly associated with a medical school. Jefferson’s Department of Surgery is one of the most storied surgical programs in the United States with a legacy of renowned department chairs responsible for a number of historical firsts. In 1846, Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter, an early Chair of Surgery, performed the first operation using ether anesthesia in the region, paving the way for pain-free surgeries. Dr. Samuel D. Gross, who was the department chair from 1856–1882, revolutionized surgical education and authored the definitive textbook A System of Surgery. Gross is often referred to as the "Father of American Surgery." In 1953, Dr. John H. Gibbon Jr., who also served as Chair of Surgery, invented the heart-lung machine at Jefferson, making the world’s first successful open-heart operation possible. Today, Jefferson’s Department of Surgery consists of 75 full-time clinical faculty, with a complement of 48 residents and 7 fellows, as well as 45 APCs and a staff of nearly 60 individuals spanning across multiple hospitals and numerous outpatient clinics. The Department of Surgery includes 11 Divisions, including Acute Care Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Surgical Research, Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, and Vascular Medicine, as well as the three sections of Breast Surgery, Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery. Residents work alongside faculty in a variety of clinical settings, including a large urban academic hospital (TJUH), a Jefferson-affiliated pediatric hospital (Nemours), 2 Jefferson community hospitals (Methodist and Washington Township), 1 non-Jefferson community hospital (Bryn Mawr), and several outpatient locations including Jefferson’s new 19-story Honickman Center. The majority of faculty have completed fellowship training, and many are nationally and internationally known as thought leaders in their specialties. Jefferson Surgery is known for its collegial atmosphere, and the faculty take great pride in preparing each trainee for their next step, whether that be fellowship training or, very rarely, directly to private practice. The Role of Department Chair The Chair leads the research, clinical care, and education programs of the Department of Surgery. The Chair is responsible for the Department’s operational and financial performance, including strategic planning, budget and resource management, and the recruitment and development of faculty and clinicians. Reporting to the Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, who also serves as the President of the College’s faculty practice plan – Jefferson University Physicians (JUP), the Chair’s areas of responsibility and specific duties are as follows: SKMC Department Leadership Work with SKMC, Jefferson Health, and Jefferson Medical Group leadership teams to shape the Department’s strategic direction and operational imperatives accordingly. Develop a comprehensive departmental strategic plan with clearly defined priorities aligned with SKMC’s overall goals. On a regular basis, communicate goals, plans, and activities to other SKMC departments. Oversee the department’s clinical faculty and direct provider assignments to ensure appropriate coverage of clinical needs at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and affiliated sites of care. Serve on the Dean’s Executive Council and other SKMC, TJU, and Jefferson Health committees, as requested by the Dean of SKMC and, where appropriate, the President of Jefferson Health. Education & Training Promote discovery and seek innovative ways to further support trainee learning. Support Program Directors in the potential expansion of residency partner sites and potential development of new subspecialty fellowships. Oversee the Department’s academic programs, including resident and fellow recruitment and selection. Conduct all necessary and appropriate administrative activities with respect to the Department, TJUH, and other sites in connection with