Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery

Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery
Department of Surgery

The University of Virginia School of Medicine invites applications and nominations for the position of Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery.

Founded in 1819 as just the 10^th medical school in America, the University of Virginia School of Medicine (UVA School of Medicine) – with 21 clinical departments, 8 research departments, and 6 research centers – consistently attracts some of the nation’s most prominent researchers to develop breakthrough treatments to benefit patients around the world. Those research efforts are backed by more than $230 million in grant funding. UVA Health is a world-class academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center, a NCI comprehensive cancer center, and UVA Children’s Hospital. Its footprint encompasses 4 hospitals and 2 physician groups with an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, and Northern Virginia.

In September of 2021, Dr. Melina Kibbe began her tenure as Dean of the School of Medicine and Chief Health Affairs Officer.  Dean Kibbe recently recruited Dr. Allan Tsung to lead the Department of Surgery as Chair.  With this new leadership, the UVA School of Medicine is poised to undertake new directions in all four missions, including clinical strategy and growth, expansion of research in collaboration with other UVA schools, the promotion of educational programs of the highest caliber, and developing partnerships within the community.  Integral to the success of this vision will be the recruitment of a dynamic and aspirational leader to serve as Chief of the Cardiac Surgery Division.

The Chief of Cardiac Surgery will be an outstanding leader, communicator, and skilled physician, widely recognized in the field with a strong track record of program building and innovation. The Chief will be responsible for clinical, academic, and administrative activities of the Division and therefore they must have a deep knowledge of clinical practice; a strong commitment to training and career development in research and clinical care; and demonstrated leadership and administrative ability in complex clinical enterprise.

The Chief must bring vision to the task of drafting the Division’s future, coupled with an ability to communicate in a fashion that inspires others to follow. The Chief will be a consensus builder, while also capable of serving as an agent for change. The incoming Chief will be responsible for partnering with the Chair of the Department Surgery to promote a collegial work environment that enhances clinical growth and academic development while advancing research activities consistent with the growth of clinical and investigative programs that increase the profile of the Department by locally and nationally.  The Chief will also assess the current CV facilities, make recommendations for improvement, and help champion the upgrade and expansion of those facilities. 

The Chief must demonstrate a passion for mentoring and development of faculty and fellows, including interpersonal skills that will assure successful relationship building with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.  The Chief will be charged with fostering an environment of integrity, trust, and transparency, recognizing the importance of physician and staff well-being, and promoting institutional stewardship and the organizational values and academic purposes of UVA.  The Chief will work with leadership to foster a collective and collaborative culture within the Division and beyond, bringing together the multidisciplinary people and programs with a shared vision and purpose, and thereby enhancing faculty engagement and development.  The Chief will also work collaboratively across UVA to ensure that the program is a leader in the rapidly evolving, multidisciplinary approaches to cardiac disease. 

The Department of Surgery offers potential candidates a uniquely supportive practice environment with an emphasis on quality patient care, research, teaching, individual career development, and collaboration among faculty members.  This leadership role will have an important presence in the Department of Surgery, UVA Health, and the School of Medicine. 

Korn Ferry is assisting the University of Virginia School of Medicine with this important search. Please forward, as soon as possible, applications or nominations of appropriate candidates, in confidence, to: 

c/o Alana Aisthorpe, Korn Ferry
Email:  alana.aisthorpe@kornferry.com