Chair, Department of Surgery

About the role

Macon & Joan Brock, Virginia Health Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University (VHS) seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary academic surgeon to serve as its next Chair of the Department of Surgery. Reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Chair will have the opportunity to build upon the Department’s distinguished legacy while advancing innovation, growth, and excellence across its clinical, educational, research, and community missions. The next Chair of the Department of Surgery will be a nationally recognized surgeon with a distinguished record of achievement in clinical care, education, research, and leadership. The Chair will possess exceptional administrative and organizational skills, a collaborative leadership style, and a demonstrated ability to lead within a complex academic health system. The Chair will be responsible for the overall strategic, financial, clinical, academic, and operational leadership of the Department. In partnership with division leaders, hospital and health system executives, and departmental administrators, the Chair will strengthen the Department’s clinical enterprise, expand its academic impact, and advance its missions of patient care, education, research, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate a compelling vision for the future of the Department that aligns with the strategic priorities of Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and its affiliated clinical partners. The Chair will serve as a visible advocate, both internally and externally, for the Department and establish credibility as a trusted leader, clinician, educator, and collaborator.
• Strengthen collaboration and alignment across the Department’s diverse clinical sites and affiliated health system partners, including Sentara Health, CHKD, and the Hampton VA Medical Center. The Chair will cultivate strong relationships across the enterprise and identify opportunities for programmatic growth, integration, and innovation.
• Advance and expand the Department’s clinical enterprise by enhancing access to care, growing key service lines, including colorectal and transplant surgery, improving quality and outcomes, and positioning the Department as a leading destination for surgical care throughout southeastern Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse, high-performing faculty. The Chair will support and mentor current division leaders while leading strategic faculty recruitment efforts aligned with departmental and institutional priorities.
• Foster a culture of engagement, collegiality, accountability, and professional growth. The Chair will champion faculty development and create pathways for success across the missions of clinical care, education