Chair, Department of Dermatology - School of Medicine (F71170)

Mission or Goal of Unit:

Provide high quality, innovative, state-of-the-art care to patients with dermatologic conditions, train health care clinicians of the future, and support the research efforts of our faculty.

Chief Purpose of this position:

We invite candidates to apply to the position of Department Chair in the Department of Dermatology. The Chair has a key leadership role in both the School of Medicine and VCU Health System. The position will lead the Department in all teaching, patient care, and research and will oversee the Department’s diverse missions, faculty, and resources.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Teaching
Advance the education, research, and clinical missions of the academic health system in all areas of Dermatology in collaboration with the leadership of VCU. Facilitate and support the training of the next generation of clinicians who will further advance Dermatology practice and science. Champion improvements in education of medical students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians in the Department of Dermatology.

2. Research
Support research among department faculty and collaborative relationships with faculty in other departments where interests (e.g. cancer) overlap with Dermatology. Lead efforts to secure appropriate grant funding (including NIH) and philanthropy to support academic priorities.

3. Service
Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs for Dermatology. Work with clinical leadership to build and grow areas of acknowledged clinical excellence in Dermatology. Serve on School and University committees. Commitment to service within the community.

4. Other (Administrative & Leadership)
Financial Management: Prepare, oversee and implement the Dermatology departmental budget that encompasses all funding sources and ensures compliance with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines. Effectively work to manage available resources. Encourage ethical and financial practices within the Department of Dermatology. Support all institutional compliance activities. Recruit, hire and retain outstanding and diverse 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 leadership.

Patient Care: Implement policies and systems to deliver superior patient care for patients with dermatologic conditions. 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 Dermatology faculty and clinical programs. Ensure superior quality and safety for the practice. Monitor and ensure patient access for all services. Coordinate with CMO of VCUHS to ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Leadership: 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 of Dermatology. Work effectively across a complex academic health system and academic group practice.

Relationship Building: Build strong relationships with others in an environment where the other health sciences schools and the hospital are partners and where Dermatology faculty and staff collaborate with other departments to ensure mutual achievement.

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

Required Qualifications:

• Medical degree is required. Board certification is required. Eligibility to work in the United States and for a Virginia medical license is required.

• Previous experience building or expanding a program, division, department, or group within an organization.

• Demonstrated managerial and business acumen. Experience in and demonstrated knowledge of the financial pressures facing academic medical centers, health care delivery organizations, and academic departments of clinical excellence.

• Experience in a competitive clinical marketplace and in forging community relationships.

• Politically astute and able to work well with people at all levels - university, hospital, health system,
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 experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or 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 Chair.

• Successful collaborative academic leadership.

• Ability to contribute in 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 community.