University of Iowa Health Care seeks its next Chair and Department Executive Officer (Chair/DEO) of the Department of Surgery. UI Health Care represents the integrated healthcare enterprise of the University of Iowa, which includes UI Hospitals & Clinics, UI Carver College of Medicine, and UI Physicians. UI Hospitals & Clinics is one of the largest university-owned teaching hospitals in the United States and sits adjacent to the Iowa City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The faculty and staff of UI Health Care conduct biomedical research that has led to some of the most important discoveries in the treatment for cancer, heart attack, stroke, eye disease, hearing loss, genetic diseases, birth defects, and many other conditions. Through its educational mission, UI Health Care trains the next generation of global leaders in patient care, medical research, and education.

Located within the Carver College of Medicine, one of the top public medical schools in the country, the Department of Surgery has a distinguished record in research, education, and clinical care. The Department of Surgery has 57 total faculty and 33 advanced practice providers in eight subspecialty divisions, along with approximately 62 residents and fellows, and 63 staff. Its faculty includes national and international leaders in many subspecialty and research areas with $3.5 million awarded in external funding in FY23.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

• National recognition for achievement in clinical, educational and/or research pursuits that would warrant a tenured appointment.


• A minimum of ten years demonstrated leadership achievement in a large volume, high-performing, contemporary department with comparable complexity to the University of Iowa (UI), Department of Surgery.


• Candidates must be an active clinical surgeon.


• Candidates must have excellent financial acumen.


• Demonstrated leadership as a creative and accomplished administrator who understands the changing healthcare environment and the complexities of clinical operations.


• Candidates must have experience with building and leading new programs.


• Candidates must have experience with educating trainees at various levels.


• A successful track record of developing research infrastructure and securing extramural funding is required; a history of past or active NIH funding and/or clinical research is desirable.


• Must have the ability to provide surgical expertise and leadership across the larger institution of University of Iowa Health Care.


• Demonstrated knowledge of effective strategies for working with faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. 

• Certification by the American Board of Surgery and licensure or eligibility for licensure in the state of Iowa.

• An open and direct communication style with a collegial presence that encourages consensus building, collaboration, and cooperation to both foster and maintain strong relationships.


• Comfortable in the public domain with the ability to engage the community through philanthropy to support education, research, clinical and service missions. 


• A leadership style that assists others before oneself and holds others accountable to agreed upon objectives.


• A strong advocate for the department who negotiates well across all levels of the organization to support the department's objectives.