Chair, Department of Pediatrics & Physician in Chief, Children's Hospital of Richmond

Mission or Goal of Unit: Children’s Hospital of Richmond of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has committed itself to transforming the Pediatric department into a model academic unit devoted to excellence in clinical care, teaching, and clinical, translational, and basic research by:

• Provide exceptional education to students, residents, fellows, and the wider community of medical professionals.

• Improve the lives of children with medical disorders through compassionate, high-quality medical care and patient education.

• Advance the knowledge of medical disorders by actively developing innovative treatments through basic science and clinical research.

Chief Purpose of this position: The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia invites applications for the position of Chair in the Department of Pediatrics & Physician in Chief, Children’s Hospital of Richmond. The incoming Chair will serve as the clinical leader of the department as well as the academic Chair at the School of Medicine and should be a physician leader with clear and unique vision, enthusiasm and experience. With overall responsibility for operations, finances and strategy in Pediatrics, the Chair will oversee the outstanding clinical programs and support transformative research. The incumbent will lead and ensure the excellence of educational, scientific and clinical programs within the Department, the College and the health system.

Rank and tenure eligibility will be commensurate with experience.

Position Responsibilities:

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Other (administrative duties, etc.)
Financial Management: Prepare, oversee and implement the Pediatrics 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 Pediatrics. Support all institutional compliance activities. Recruit, hire and retain outstanding, 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 research leadership.
Patient Care: Implement policies and systems to deliver superior patient care for children. 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 Pediatrics faculty and clinical Pediatrics programs. Ensure superior quality and safety for Pediatrics 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 Pediatrics practice within the region.
Leadership: Take a highly respected Pediatrics 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.
Relationship Building: Build strong relationships with others in an environment where the other health sciences schools and the hospital are partners and where Pediatrics 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 education. Identify, recruit and retain the next generation of superior faculty members.

Required Qualifications:

• Medical degree and board certification
• Eligibility to work in the United States and for a Virginia medical license
• Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor with academic achievements
• Seasoned educator and administrator who possesses national and/or international recognition in the education, research, and clinical disciplines of Pediatrics
• Experience developing academic leaders and a reputation for mentorship of students and trainees and development of junior faculty. Demonstrated ability to identify and recruit a diverse faculty.
• Clear evidence of accomplishments in teaching, research and other professional activities and related administrative experience commensurate with experience
• A distinguished 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. Demonstrated accomplishments in developing and leading an academic department may suffice.
• 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 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 of Pediatrics Chair
• Successful administrative and leadership experience at an academic institution, such as a Department Chair, Division Chief/Section Head or Program Director
• 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
• Track record of trainees who have developed into successful faculty members at his/her institution or elsewhere

Chair, Department of Pediatrics & Physician in Chief, Children's Hospital of Richmond
Position Type: Faculty
Full time equivalent: Full-time
Tenure: Open
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department: Pediatrics

Salary: Commensurate

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Andi Cassel
Contact Email: andrea.cassel@vcuhealth.org
Contact Phone: 804-628-2353