Description

The Chair of the Department of Surgery is responsible for leading and expanding the excellence of the educational, scientific, and clinical programs of the department. The Chair has overall responsibility for operations and strategy in Surgery. Additionally, the Chair oversees the development of centers of excellence and outstanding clinical programs and inspires groundbreaking clinical, translational, and basic research.

This vital position requires a dynamic, passionate, and experienced surgical leader with a proven track record across the spectrum of individual scholarship; collaborative academic leadership; clinical and research program development; educational excellence; successful faculty recruitment, retention, and advancement; and community engagement. The Chair leads through innovation, effective management of department resources, and leverage of institutional assets. The Chair also works collaboratively with the McGovern Medical School and health system leaders, involving fellow chairs, administrators, faculty, and staff. The Chair demonstrates a personal communication style and integrity that fosters an environment of trust, teamwork, respect, accountability, and personal behavior that fosters innovation and excellence from all constituents.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities for the Chair of Surgery

• In collaboration with institutional leadership, provide visionary and innovative leadership to lead the department into the next phase of growth, development, and excellence in its missions, achieving deserved national distinction in each.
• Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs within Surgery and related disciplines. Work closely and collaboratively with the leadership team to build, grow, and integrate areas of acknowledged clinical excellence with outstanding outcomes, value, access, and patient satisfaction.
• Actively participate in leadership of the faculty practice to develop innovative clinical growth strategies that increase market share in Houston’s rapidly growing population, focusing on underserved and disadvantaged populations.
• Ensure delivery of excellent clinical education and advanced training to the medical students, residents and fellows, and research training to trainees. Provide leadership and oversight to the residency and fellowship programs within the department.
• Define and lead the department’s research strategy together with the dean. Support investigators within the department in efforts to secure NIH and other grant funding to support research. Ensure a deliberate investment into research activities and priorities within the department. Promote scholarly activities on the part of faculty, trainees, and students.
• Supervise, prepare, implement, and monitor the department budget that encompasses all funding sources and ensures compliance with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines.
• Retain, recruit, mentor, and develop outstanding faculty within the subspecialties of Surgery. Ensure an atmosphere of support and development, focusing on the development of faculty.
• Ensure compliance and ethical medical and financial practice across the department.
• Continually communicate and drive high priority strategic initiatives to keep leadership focused. Communicate effectively and regularly to school and hospital leadership and to department faculty and staff regarding the overall health and performance of the department.
• Coach, mentor, and develop others to build internal capabilities and the talent that facilitates succession.
• Establish strong professional relationships, foster open communication and teamwork, and champion change. Effectively manage conflict and look for opportunities for collaborative solutions.

Ideal Experience for the Chair of Surgery

Significant and successful leadership experience at an academic institution

Service as a division chief, vice chair, chair of surgery, or equivalent leadership experience. Strong financial acumen with knowledge of the complex finances at academic medical centers and healthcare delivery organizations. A passion for excellence in all aspects of the department’s mission, including research, education, clinical care, and service to our communities. Must meet the requirements for a faculty appointment at the full professor level.

Expanding and fostering strong clinical programs 

Proven track record of developing, leading, and growing complex clinical programs that focus on access, high quality, and outstanding patient satisfaction

Developing talent at all levels

Recruitment and development of physicians, coupled with demonstrated success in mentorship and the demonstrated enthusiasm and ability to identify, recruit, and retain diverse staff across all roles. A strong history in building and sustaining a healthy organizational culture.

Growing research programs

Proven track record of supporting the success of a research program that led to significant growth in research funding and publications.

M.D. degree and board certification in surgery

Licensed or eligible for medical licensure in Texas. Additional degrees are considered additive and highly desirable.

The Search Process:

The executive search firm Spencer Stuart has been retained to assist in this recruitment.  Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited and should be submitted to Sanna Bryant at sbryant@spencerstuart.com.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, although indication of interest is encouraged by Friday, May 15th, 2026 for full consideration.