Department Chair, Pediatrics (Full Professor, T/TE) (Updated)

Please Note: This posting has been updated to accept applications through the Talent applicant portal. Please submit candidate materials through Talent for consideration. For confidential inquiries, nominations, and expressions of interest, please contact Jeff Schroetlin, Senior Partner, WittKieffer Executive Search Firm at [email protected].

The University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine – Tucson (COM-T) seeks an innovative academic pediatrician to serve as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics (Department). Reporting directly to Dean Michael M.I. Abecassis, the chair will also serve as the Director of the Steele Children’s Research Center and the Physician-in-Chief of the Diamond Children’s Medical Center. The Chair will be a vital member of the COM-T and Banner University Medicine leadership teams, advancing clinical care, research, and education. They will play a key role in implementing the organization’s most critical strategies and will strive to achieve excellence across a full range of quality measures. The Chair will serve as a liaison between the Department’s divisions and centers and the broader enterprise, reporting directly to the Dean of COM-T. This individual will be directly involved in strategic planning, program development, team-based research programs, and outreach strategies to strengthen the Department’s impact. Planning for future growth and recruitment to support departmental goals will be a central responsibility.

As a leadership position, the Chair will ensure that faculty collaborate effectively across the Department, College, and University, promoting shared research resources and interdisciplinary engagement. This includes providing administrative, laboratory, and mentoring support to foster a culture of excellence. The Chair will also work closely with department leaders to maximize the impact of clinical, research, and educational programs while avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts. Ultimately, the Chair will be responsible for equipping the Department with the tools and resources needed to deliver outstanding education and training, with the goal of fully integrating pediatric care and academic excellence into a complete, enriching learning environment.

The Chair, in conjunction with the division chiefs, will be responsible for directing provider assignments and ensuring coverage of clinical needs, and will coordinate closely with the leadership of ambulatory clinics, surgical services, and inpatient units. The role will also involve setting budget priorities across the Department, including decisions related to recruitment and outreach. The Chair will provide oversight for the Department’s overall budgets and actively participate in the annual enterprise budget planning process.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Provide leadership and vision for the Department of Pediatrics to develop long- and short-term strategies aligned with the evolving landscape of academic and clinical pediatric care.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to develop, implement, and periodically refresh a strategic plan that supports the mission and goals of the University and COM-T.
• Work in partnership with leaders across departments and centers to create an infrastructure that integrates high-quality clinical care with scholarship and educational excellence.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clinical leadership, physician groups, patients, and external partners to enhance revenue opportunities, improve patient experience, and support excellence in clinical outcomes.
• Establish and refine Department protocols, goals, and implementation methods that reflect the vision for regional and national leadership in academic pediatrics and excellence in care delivery across Arizona.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Department’s research portfolio.
• Oversee quality management and performance for all providers in the Department, including faculty physicians, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers (APPs).
• Conduct annual performance reviews for Department providers.
• Recruit and mentor individuals who embody professionalism, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation, fostering a culture rooted in respect, empathy, and academic excellence.
• Support and facilitate mentoring and collaboration for faculty engaged in research, including maintaining records of accomplishments and supporting the pursuit of external funding.
• Continue independent or collaborative research aligned with the department’s mission and strategic goals.
• Publish original work in peer-reviewed pediatric and academic medicine journals as both author and co-author.
• Provide oversight for the Department’s educational programs across the full continuum of medical education.
• Champion high-quality teaching and training programs for pediatric residents and medical students.
• Support the development and advancement of pediatric residency and fellowship programs, as well as the professional growth of program directors.
• Expand pediatric subspecialty fellowship offerings where appropriate and aligned with departmental strengths.
• Mentor faculty across professorial tracks, supporting their academic and clinical development, and ensuring productivity and growth within the department.
• Oversee continuing medical education (CME) activities relevant to pediatrics within the department.
• Provide strategic oversight of the department’s clinical portfolio to ensure alignment with institutional goals and quality benchmarks.
• Deliver outstanding clinical care within the Chair’s pediatric specialty, including participation in call responsibilities as appropriate.
• Maintain consistently high standards of performance in clinical practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to foster collaboration, build cohesive teams, and develop strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of academic pediatric practice and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in patient-centered care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial operations in healthcare administration and academic medicine.

• MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent medical degree.
• Board certified in Pediatrics and eligible for
  medical licensure in the state of Arizona.
• Meets the University of Arizona criteria for
  appointment to a senior-level, tenured faculty position (strongly
  recommended).
• Demonstrated and substantial leadership
  experience in academic medicine or medical school administration, with
  national-level involvement in academic and professional societies.
• Proven ability to be a collaborative and
  adaptable leader in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment across
  clinical and/or academic disciplines.
• Experience managing the full spectrum of a
  Department of Pediatrics, including but not limited to research
  initiatives, faculty affairs and development, clinical operations and key
  hospital interactions, graduate and undergraduate education, institutional
  partnerships, and fundraising.

• National or international reputation as a respected and accomplished pediatric clinician, educator, and/or researcher.
• Proven track record as a strategic and innovative leader with the ability to manage and plan for future departmental growth.
• Experience recruiting, retaining, and mentoring faculty at all levels, supporting their development in clinical, research, teaching, and administrative roles.