Physician - Academic

Department Chair - Department of Urology

VCU Health - Richmond, VA

Mission of the Department:

Built on a three-pronged mission of providing compassionate patient care, training the next generation of urologists and conducting cutting-edge research, VCU Urology pioneered paradigm-shifting work in renal transplantation, bladder cancer diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, neuro-urology and spinal cord injury, which helped to shape not only the foundation of urology at VCU, but the practice of urology on a national scale. We look forward to expanding our impact across all three pillars of our mission. We recognize the power of discovery to transform the field and change lives, not only for the patients we serve today, but for generations to come.

Chief Purpose of this position:

We are seeking candidates for the Department Chair of Urology. This position is a senior-level, faculty position with a key leadership role in both the School of Medicine and VCU Medical Center. The Chair of the Department of Urology reports to the Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. The Chair will direct the patient care, research, and education missions of the department while providing leadership in integrating clinical, educational, and research programs to promote a strong academic department. The position will lead the department in all academic endeavors, research projects, and patient care and will oversee the department’s diverse missions, faculty, and resources for Urology. The Department Chair will partner with other departments to enhance and develop the field of Urology.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Teaching
Advance the education, research, and clinical missions of the academic medical center in all areas of medicine in collaboration with the leadership of VCU. Facilitate and support the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians who will further Urology care, regional practice and science. Champion improvements in education of medical students and residents in the Department of Urology. 

Research
Define and lead the department’s research strategy by expanding clinical, translational and basic research. Support principal investigators and other faculty within the school in efforts to secure appropriate grant funding (including NIH) and philanthropy to support research/academic priorities. 

Service
Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs. Work with the leadership at VCU Medical Center to build and grow areas of acknowledged clinical excellence. Serve on School and University committees, study sections, academic societies, and review groups as a journal editor and/or on editorial boards. Commitment to service within the community. Continue to develop relationships with key partners.

Other Key Responsibilities
Financial Management:  Prepare, oversee and implement the Urology departmental budget that encompasses all funding sources and ensures compliance with grant, legislative and institutional guidelines. Effectively manage available resources. Ensure ethical and fiscally responsible practices within the Department of Urology. Support all institutional compliance activities. Recruit, hire and retain outstanding faculty. Ensure an atmosphere of support and development. Encourage philanthropic gifts. Be a highly visible collaborative leader in supporting VCU School of Medicine strategic direction in partnership with departmental chairs, SOM academic affairs, and research leadership.   

Patient Care:  Implement policies and systems to deliver superior patient care for patients. Be active and resolute in advancing patient care, service excellence, patient outcomes, quality, and safety and maximize day-to-day operational performance of Department of Urology faculty and clinical Urology programs. Ensure superior quality and safety for Urology practices. Monitor and ensure patient access for all services. Coordinate with CMO of VCUHS to ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. Partner with the health system to provide growth opportunities for Urology practices within the region. 

Leadership:  Take a highly respected Urology Department to the next level of academic excellence. Provide a strong and impassioned vision for building excellence in all aspects of the clinical and academic mission. Understand, appreciate, and prepare for current and future trends in the field. Work effectively across a complex academic medical center. Collaborate with other key stakeholders to further develop the scope and bredth of urological services.

Relationship Building:  Build strong relationships with others in an environment where the other health sciences schools and the hospital are partners and where Urology faculty and staff collaborate with other departments to ensure mutual achievement. Collaborate with the VA Medical Center to build clinical, teaching, and research relationships.

Mentorship:  Mentor and develop trainees and junior faculty. Commit to and actively participate in undergraduate and graduate education. Identify, recruit and retain the next generation of superior faculty members.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Medical degree and board certification
• Eligibility to work in the United States and for a Virginia medical license
• Seasoned educator and administrator who possesses national and/or international recognition in the education, research, and clinical disciplines of Urology
• Administrative and leadership experience at an academic institution, such as a Department Chair, Division Chief/Section Head or Program Director
• Experience developing academic leaders and a reputation for mentorship of students and trainees and development of junior faculty
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recruit faculty
• Clear evidence of accomplishments in teaching, research and other professional activities and related administrative experience commensurate with experience
• A record of scientific achievements as evidenced by both publications and a strong track record of extramural peer-reviewed research funding
• Previous experience building or expanding a program, department or group within an organization
• Demonstration of successful collaborative academic leadership
• Demonstrated managerial and business acumen
• Experience in and demonstrated knowledge of the complex financial pressures facing academic medical centers, health care delivery organizations, and academic departments of clinical excellence
• Experience in a competitive clinical marketplace
• Politically astute and able to work well with people at all levels - university, hospital, community, faculty, and staff
• A reputation as a consensus builder and someone who can resolve conflict for the betterment of the organization
• Unimpeachable integrity and personal ethics
• Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong organization and process management skills
• High energy coupled with a strong work ethic and a desire to have a meaningful impact
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership by example with intent/desire to continue clinical practice while serving as Department of Urology Chair
• Ability to contribute in highly matrixed academic environment as member of SOM leadership team
• Leadership in continuous quality improvement and demonstrated commitment to quality and safety in healthcare
• Willingness to engage broadly with VCU as an institutional leader and to be a highly visible ambassador for SOM both internally and in Richmond's and Virginia’s communities
• Outgoing and personable demeanor and a track record of forging win-win relationships
• Ability to see the bigger picture of issues and the role of the department

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