Department Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

All About You

Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine and SSM Health’s SLUCare Academic Division seek an accomplished physician leader to serve as the Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The Department offers state-of-the-art orthopedic education, compassionate patient care, and a robust clinical research enterprise. With the 2022 integration of the School’s physician practice organization into SSM Health, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is poised for growth across each of its mission areas of education, research, and patient care.

On July 1, 2022, SLUCare’s more than 600 faculty, and other academic medical professionals and staff became the dedicated academic physician practice of SSM Health. Clinically, they collaborate with SSM Health’s more than 600 community-based providers to deliver care at over 50 physician office locations as well as through comprehensive virtual health services. The integration affords patients improved and seamless access to all levels of care, including highly specialized procedures and clinical trials. The integration provides an investment in the Saint Louis University School of Medicine to expand medical education and clinical research across the region. SLU School of Medicine has oversight of the academic activities of teaching and research along with matters of academic rank and tenure of the faculty of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. SSM’s regional leadership is responsible for overarching clinical strategy and for optimizing the impact of SLUCare’s academic values within the context of a growing integrated healthcare system.

The Chair reports to the Dean of the School of Medicine for the Department’s academic mission of education and research and to the Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs for its patient-care mission.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

The Saint Louis University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of patient care and to furthering the field of orthopaedic surgery through the education of trainees and the advancement of research.

With a robust team of 25 core faculty and 15 advanced practice providers (APPs), 25 residents and 2 fellows (Trauma and Research), the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services at SLUCare Center for Specialized Medicine, SSM Health SLU Hospital, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Clare Hospital. Additionally, there are three outpatient clinics that serve the surrounding St. Louis metropolitan area. Services include General Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Hand Surgery, Spine Surgery, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Adult Reconstruction, Hip and Joint Replacement, Foot and Ankle Surgery, Musculoskeletal Oncology and Physiatry, and Trauma. The department sees primary injuries as well as tertiary and quaternary referrals for a large geographic area.

The Department includes an ACGME-accredited residency in orthopaedic surgery and an orthopaedic traumatology fellowship accredited by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.

The sports medicine section has a team of non-operative and operative providers and access to the entire Saint Louis University team of multidisciplinary physicians. The section includes the team physicians of Saint Louis University Billiken Athletics as well as many other area colleges and high schools.

Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery: Strategic Opportunities

• Advance academic orthopaedic surgery to the forefront of the SLU-SSM partnership while growing education, research and patient care.
• Develop a strategic plan to advance SLU orthopaedic’s position in the St Louis-area market regarding its multiple hospitals and clinics, SLU-managed services, SSM-managed services, and partner providers.
• Support and grow orthopaedic research.
• Recruit and retain high-performing physicians and support staff in the context of a complex and evolving post-pandemic labor market.
• Continue to develop the culture and climate of the department to ensure it is a supportive environment for faculty and staff that will attract and support top-tier physicians, staff, and trainees.
• Define and implement a strategic approach maximizing the value proposition of academic medicine across the SSM system.
• Advance the Department’s efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, refining them for today’s complex political environment and developing appropriate new programs that align with University and SSM programs and goals.
• In addition to the impact the Chair will have on the Department’s tri-partite mission and its climate, as part of the senior leadership team of the School of Medicine, the Chair will play a role in the ongoing development and execution of SSM’s regional strategy.

Key Responsibilities

The Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Department functions, including education, research, and clinical services.

Specific responsibilities of the Chair role include:

Leadership

• Demonstrate, understand, and support the institutional mission, vision, and values of Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health.
• Establish a vision for the Department and effectively communicate how it contributes to the success of the School of Medicine, the profession, and the health of the community.
• Provide medical staff leadership for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery to ensure the highest quality patient outcomes, strategic growth, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in strategic planning for both Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health SLUCare.
• Work collaboratively with other institutional leaders and colleagues to develop and advance the goals of the institution.
• Encourage and support diversity, equity, and inclusion among the Department’s constituents, fostering an environment of professionalism, collegiality, and respect.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and creativity, promote, and sustain a culture of inquiry, and value the scholarship of research and teaching.
• Demonstrate professionalism, acting with integrity and inspiring trust and respect.
• Promote an environment of success through recruitment and retention of highly skilled faculty and health providers.
• Mentor Department Division Directors and ensure mentorship of faculty.
• Participate in local, state, regional, and national professional associations and bring the value of that participation back to the Department, the School of Medicine, and SSM Health.

Administration

• Manage and oversee the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Create a plan for the activities of the Department and for future development of the Department in alignment with the mission, vision, strategies, and goals of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health.
• Recruit and retain a full-time faculty that represents a spectrum of highly qualified academic physicians who will interface with the community medical group of SSM Health.
• Oversee the evaluation of departmental faculty and staff in the context of a clear and developmentally oriented set of performance standards.
• Work collaboratively with the faculty, and members of the medical staff and appointed medical staff committees to assure high quality patient care at involved SSM hospitals and outpatient practices.
• Monitor and oversee clinical activity of the Department to ensure adherence to administrative policies, external accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• In collaboration with leaders across the School of Medicine and SSM Health, establish a strategic plan to expand specialty services that target specific geographic and demographic markets and enhance the organization’s image and market area.
• Communicate effectively with practice administration, peers, Division Directors, and Department associates, on a regular basis; keep them apprised of goals, progress, and areas for improvement; regularly solicit and listen to ideas from these groups of individuals and give feedback.
• Work collaboratively with the Division Directors on recruitment, personnel issues, and educational needs for all faculty in the Department.
• Assure that all new faculty physician employment is handled within Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health guidelines.
• Mentor faculty for success in the academic promotion process.

Education

• Participate in provision of resident, fellow and medical student education.
• Act as a role model of effective teaching and self-directed learning.
• Serve as an advisor/mentor for faculty.
• Oversee the development and implementation of effective and innovative Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs.
• Support, strengthen and grow residency and fellowship programs in coordination with GME leadership.
• Ensure high-quality clinical education for medical students.
• Provide career support infrastructure and mentoring for medical students and post-graduate trainees with a focus on performance on national examinations and facilitating the transition to residency positions or first-job opportunities.

Patient Care

• Ensure quality patient care in the Department – including access, outcomes, appropriateness of care, patient experience, implementation of care protocols, productivity, effective provider communication, and collaborative interaction with other clinical services.
• Support service excellence initiatives with focus on patient and family satisfaction, physician satisfaction and employee engagement.
• Monitor the clinical activity of the Department to assure appropriate volume of patient care, revenue production, scope of services, and physician coverage.
• Assist in the strengthening of referral networks within SSM Health.
• Serve as a role model and encourage participation in community engagement activities.
• Model exceptional clinical care of all patients in the course of clinical service.

Research

• Drive initiatives in clinical and translational research.
• Grow and promote clinical trials, particularly in priority areas for the clinical enterprise.
• Monitor faculty members’ research and scholarly activities.
• Ensure that the Department complies with standards of research integrity and compliance.
• Promote interdepartmental collaborations in research.
• Develop and coordinate research experiences for medical students, residents, and fellows.

Qualifications

Saint Louis University seeks a candidate with a commitment to academic excellence, the highest level of personal integrity and ethical standards, and an established reputation for compassion, inclusion, fairness, and objectivity. The successful candidate will be an effective leader and respected clinician with demonstrated ability to inspire, manage, mentor, and develop a culturally diverse faculty and staff. The successful candidate will be drawn to the University’s Jesuit mission and values, including its commitment to social justice.

The chair will build upon the strategic opportunities created by the integration of SLUCare and SSM and will want to scale the value proposition of SLUCare’s academic mission across SSM’s regional integrated health system.

Education and Licensure

• MD/DO or equivalent
• Must hold current Board certification in Orthopedic Surgery.
• Must be eligible for an unrestricted Missouri state medical license.

Experience/Competencies

• Credentials that merit appointment in the School of Medicine at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Proven leadership skills in an academic environment, excellence in teaching, clinical practice, program development and experience in research administration.
• Effective use of strong interpersonal and communications skills that incorporate tact and diplomacy; an approachable servant leadership style.
• Capable of establishing a culture of physician engagement, accountability and shared responsibility for patient safety and quality of care delivered.
• Ability to nurture and grow fellowship offerings and programs.
• A commitment to diversity initiatives, wellness initiatives, and faculty and leadership development programs.
• A record of cooperative working relationships with colleagues including patients, physicians, nurses, administrators, managers, and other colleagues.
• Willingness to learn and collaborate in all aspects of the School’s strategic approach to education, research, clinical care, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.
• Willing to implement the requirements and policies of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), SSM Health, and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Founded in 1818 and rooted in both Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic institutions. The Saint Louis University School of Medicine is a principal part of this proud tradition of Jesuit education.

SLU School of Medicine has a long tradition of excellence in education, research, clinical care and community engagement. Established in 1836, the School has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. Today, the School has over 640 faculty members, 720 medical students and 650 residents in 63 graduate medical education programs including residencies, subspecialty residencies, and fellowships.

The mission of SLU School of Medicine is the pursuit of excellence in education, research, clinical care and community engagement through professional development, collaboration and the promotion of social justice. SLU’s educational approach embraces integrated activities in basic and clinical research; the provision of patient-centered, compassionate, culturally competent health care; and engagement with the community through public service. It strives to educate future professionals from diverse backgrounds to practice and advance knowledge in medicine and medical sciences. SLU School of Medicine is grounded in an understanding of the scientific method and an appreciation for personal commitment and service to others, and these diverse educational experiences prepare individuals for careers and leadership roles in medicine and the medical sciences.

The school is a leading center of clinical, translational and basic research. In addition to basic biomedical science, notably in immunology and genomics, the School of Medicine is the home of multiple research centers and institutes. As one of only ten NIH-funded vaccine research institutions, SLU’s Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) conducted pivotal research on the H1N1 influenza and Covid vaccines. Other nationally recognized research institutes include the

Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation (IDBI), the Stephen C. Peiper and Zi-Xuan Wang Institute for Vaccine Science and Policy (IVSP), the SLU Liver Center, and the Advanced Health Data (AHEAD) Research Institute

To learn more about SLU School of Medicine, please visit: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/index.php

SSM Health

Headquartered in Saint Louis, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated healthcare delivery system. The organization’s nearly 40,000 employees and 11,000+ providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone it serves. As a Catholic organization, SSM Health operates in alignment with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

In partnership with SLU, SSM Health unveiled its new, state-of-the-art SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and ambulatory care center in the fall of 2020. The new facility features more than 800,000 square feet of space, 316 private patient rooms, an expanded Level I trauma center and emergency department, larger intensive care units, expanded patient parking, green space and areas for future campus expansion. This expansion has led to dramatic advancements in the educational experience for SLU’s medical students, residents and fellows. SLU’s medical students now have the tools and technology they need to pursue excellence in education, research, clinical care and engage with the Saint Louis community in a holistic, humanistic way.

SSM Health and Saint Louis University are committed to equal employment opportunity based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, and all other statuses protected by law.

Application Submissions 

The search committee is committed to respecting and maintaining confidentiality. Application materials must include:

(1) curriculum vitae;

(2) cover letter (1 page);

(3) vision statement highlighting specific strengths related to this position and addressing research, teaching, and leadership, including previous administrative experience and accomplishments, research interests and plans, teaching interests and experience with personnel management (limit 3 pages);

(4) statement describing previous and potential contributions to excellence through fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as a leader (1 page); and

(5) the names of at least three references (not to be contacted without the permission of the applicant). 

All application materials must be submitted through the electronic applicant tracking system to be eligible for consideration. 

A criminal background check is required as a condition of employment. 

For additional information or to nominate qualified candidates please email the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Andrew White (andrew.white@ssmhealth.com). 

To ensure full consideration, please submit all application materials by Friday, October 25, 2024. 

Function

Faculty – Medical Administrative Appointment

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.

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