Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

About the Role

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) invites nominations and applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. This is a defining opportunity for a forward-thinking and strategic leader to shape the future of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at a critical moment for behavioral health. The next Chair will lead the Department's clinical, educational, research, and community missions, foster an inclusive and high-performing culture, and advance strategic priorities across MCW and its health system partners. Building upon the foundation of an established and thriving academic department, the next Chair will advance innovative models of care, expand access to services, train the future behavioral health workforce, and drive meaningful impact on mental health and well-being across Wisconsin and beyond.

About the Medical College of Wisconsin

MCW is a leading academic health sciences institution advancing education, research, clinical care, and innovation across Wisconsin and beyond. With medical school campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin, along with a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Pharmacy, MCW anchors one of the nation's premier academic health enterprises. As the largest private research center in Wisconsin, MCW reported more than $428 million invested in research, teaching, training, and related activities in fiscal year 2025 and supported more than 5,000 active research studies. Consistently ranked in the top third of U.S. medical schools for NIH funding and the nation's third-largest private medical school, MCW drives scientific discovery, advances clinical excellence, and prepares the next generation of health leaders.

More than 1,900 MCW physicians and approximately 1,800 advanced practice providers care for more than 520,000 patients annually, representing more than 5.2 million patient visits across Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and hospitals and clinics throughout eastern Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus brings together MCW, Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, Versiti Blood Research Institute, and Curative Care Network in a collaborative academic health environment dedicated to excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research, and community service.

About the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is a leading academic psychiatry department dedicated to advancing mental health through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community engagement. Over the past decade, the Department has experienced remarkable growth and transformation, expanding from approximately 60 faculty members to more than 143 faculty members. The Department is also supported by 20 advanced practice providers, 88 non-clinical staff members, and 105 trainees.

Clinical Enterprise

The Department's growing clinical enterprise spans inpatient, outpatient, emergency, consultation-liaison, and specialty settings through partnerships with Froedtert Health, Children's Wisconsin, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and other healthcare and community organizations throughout Wisconsin. Faculty provide expertise in:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Integrated behavioral health
• Health psychology
• Interventional psychiatry

Educational Mission

The Department's educational mission includes one of the nation's most comprehensive psychiatry training portfolios:

• Three ACGME-accredited Psychiatry Residency Programs serving Milwaukee, Northeastern Wisconsin, and Central Wisconsin
• Combined Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Residency Program
• Five ACGME-accredited psychiatry fellowships
• Health psychology training programs
• Advanced practice provider education and fellowship training
• Medical student education
• Continuing medical education

Statewide Behavioral Health Innovation

The Department leads statewide behavioral health innovation through initiatives such as:

• Wisconsin Child Psychiatry Consultation Program — delivered more than 15,000 consultations to pediatric primary care providers
• WISCOPE — a statewide adult psychiatry consultation program

Research Enterprise

The Department's growing research enterprise provides a strong foundation for continued innovation and discovery. Faculty conduct basic, translational, clinical, and community-engaged research across a broad range of behavioral health priorities, including:

• Mood disorders
• Addiction
• Suicide prevention
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Integrated behavioral healthcare
• Health psychology
• Cancer survivorship
• Psychosocial determinants of health
• Population mental health

Qualifications and Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will be a nationally respected academic psychiatry and behavioral medicine leader with experience leading within a complex and community-driven organization. They will bring a record of clinical, scholarly, and administrative achievement; a collaborative and inclusive leadership style; and the ability to articulate and execute a compelling strategic vision. The Chair will be expected to develop faculty, foster innovation, build productive partnerships, and position the Department for sustained growth and impact.

Candidates are encouraged to address the following leadership competencies in their cover letter:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Growth and Development Mindset
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Ability to Inspire Trust
• Change Leadership
• Effective Communication
• Innovation
• Results Orientation and Financial Stewardship

Candidates are not expected to address each competency in equal depth; however, the cover letter should provide evidence of strength across these areas in highlighting career accomplishments and experiences.

Application Procedure

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited and can be directed to facultyleadershiprecruitment@mcw.edu. To receive full consideration, please submit your application materials by the priority deadline of November 16, 2026. A complete application includes a current curriculum vitae and a cover letter. Executive biographies are also welcome. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The cover letter can be addressed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Chad Carlson and Dr. Shelly Timmons and should describe the candidate's interest in the opportunity and highlight key leadership experiences, research interests, and/or accomplishments in education.

MCW Values

At the Medical College of Wisconsin, our shared organizational values guide everything we do, from patient care and education to research and community engagement. We are committed to acting with Caring, fostering Collaboration, approaching challenges with Curiosity, advancing Inclusive practices, demonstrating Integrity, and treating everyone with Respect. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. By embracing these values, we strengthen our ability to improve health, advance discovery, and educate the next generation of health professionals. We seek leaders who exemplify these principles and are committed to advancing MCW's mission of improving the health of the communities we serve.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Situated along the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city, offering the energy and amenities of a major metropolitan area with a significantly lower cost of living than many peer markets. Home to a diverse economy, vibrant arts and cultural scene, professional sports, renowned restaurants, and year-round festivals, Milwaukee combines urban living with easy access to parks, rivers, trails, and waterfront recreation. The city has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top "Up-and-Coming" places to live and features one of the country's most walkable downtowns, with museums, restaurants, entertainment, and the lakefront all within easy reach. Milwaukee offers an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike, blending professional opportunity with a welcoming community and abundant recreational opportunities.

Search Team Contacts

The MCW Executive Faculty Search team is assisting with this critical recruitment:

• Amanda Steffens, CPRP, Principal, Executive Faculty Search — asteffens@mcw.edu
• Cedric Kuakumensah, Executive Faculty Search Associate — ckuakumensah@mcw.edu
• Kate Martin, Senior Executive Recruitment Coordinator — kamartin@mcw.edu