Chair of Neurosurgery - req# 28468

The University ofNew Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine seeks a dynamic leader to serve as Chairof the Department of Neurosurgery in the UNM School of Medicine (SOM) at UNMHealth & Health Sciences. Thechair provides strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of theDepartment of Neurosurgery’s involvement in the University as well as in thestate and region. The individual we seekmust be qualified for appointment at the Associate or Professor level at theSchool of Medicine.

The Chair ofNeurosurgery plays a major leadership role in all Health Sciences missionareas. It is expected that thesuccessful candidate will have a record of collaborative leadership as furtherdetailed below. The chair will lead thedepartment on behalf of the Dean of the School of Medicine.

The UNM Health& Health Sciences strives for excellence across four key areas: patientcare, education, research, and community engagement. The faculty of the Department of Neurosurgerypractices within the University of New Mexico Hospital system, which includesinpatient and outpatient clinics. University of New Mexico Hospital is atertiary and quaternary referral center that also serves as the safety-nethospital for the citizens of New Mexico. The University Of New Mexico School OfMedicine is celebrated for its innovations in medical education and has earneda reputation for prioritizing diversity in its student body and physicianworkforce.

The Chair ofthe Department of Neurosurgery will work collaboratively with the Dean ofthe School of Medicine and other leaders of the UNM Health and Health Sciencesto create excellence in existing teaching, team-based research, and clinicalprograms and to position the Department for significant growth as it expands tomeet the academic and clinical service demands in New Mexico. The University of New Mexico Hospital is theprimary teaching affiliate of the School of Medicine and the region’s onlyLevel 1 trauma program serving approximately 2 million people.

The NeurosurgeryDepartment was established in 2005 as a stand-alone department and plays acritical role in the health of the State of New Mexico, as it is the singlelargest neurosurgical practice in the state. Currently there are of 9 neurosurgeons, 2neurocritical care specialists, and a pain focused neurologist. The faculty is supported by 21 AdvancedPractice Providers (APP’s). The facultyhas expertise in all of the major subspecialty areas in Neurosurgery includingTrauma, Neurovascular, Spine, Skull Base, Neuro/oncology, and PediatricNeurosurgery and Oncology. In many ofthese areas, faculty at the Health Sciences represents the only resource in thestate for subspecialty-trained experts. Thedepartment has a broad practice in multiple sites, with a research effort and alarge telemedicine program.

The UNMH ClinicalNeurosciences Center is the only comprehensive neurosurgery, neurology, andpain management center in the state. This facility houses the Neurosurgery Clinicas well as the Pain Consultation and Treatment Center (Pain Center). Both clinics are managed by UNMH, withsignificant direction from the department. The Pain Center is an interdisciplinary clinicthat includes faculty from Neurosurgery, Anesthesia, Psychiatry, Psychology,Family Medicine, and Neurology. A PainManagement Fellowship is directed by the Anesthesiology Department. Bothclinics combined register over 7,000 visits a year. Faculty members also play central roles withinProject ECHO, a national and international telemedicine educational programbased at UNM.

The UNM Health &Health Sciences is located in the high desert community of Albuquerque, NewMexico. It is also part of the State’sflagship institution for higher education. Exposure to a wide variety of educationalopportunities, outdoor activities, and diverse experiences makes Albuquerque aspecial place to call home. Abundantrecreational opportunities exist within our diverse and culturally rich city. Albuquerque enjoys a temperate climate with310 days of sunshine as well as four distinct seasons.

Minimum Qualifications

TheChair of Neurosurgery must hold an MD, MD-PhD, DO, or equivalent medical degreeand be board-certified in Neurosurgery or a Neurosurgery subspecialty. The candidate must have demonstrated expertiseappropriate for appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor at theUniversity of New Mexico School of Medicine. The candidate must have at least five years ofadministrative and leadership experience in an academic institution, beeligible for licensure in New Mexico, and be eligible to work in the UnitedStates.

PreferredQualifications

TheChair must be a person of high integrity with a record of significantachievement in academic medicine. Highlydesirable qualifications include:

• Demonstrated excellence in clinical service andclinically respected.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership roles managing acomplex clinical, research, and educational enterprise.
• A proven leader in academic medicine with a nationalreputation.
• A track record of involvement working with communitiesto increase health care access and reduce health disparities/inequities,particularly in underserved populations.
• Strong record of excellence in education, educationalinnovation and demonstrated outcomes with faculty development and mentoring.
• A strong record of skills in administration, finance,strategic planning, policy, and negotiation.
• Exceptional communication skills, with flexibility anda demonstrated ability to foster collaboration, teamwork, and creativity.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, andinclusion of student, faculty, and staff success, as well as working withbroadly diverse communities.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Nomination Process: nominations must be received by February 26, 2024.

To nominate an outstanding candidate, please send the name and contact information of the nominee to UNM Department Neurosurgery, c/o April Rodriguez-Esparza, AMrodriguez@salud.unm.edu, Telephone Number: (505) 272-8268. If self-nominating, you need only apply and not submit a self-nomination.

How to Apply: a complete application consist of (1) current curriculum vitae; (2) a comprehensive letter of interest that addresses how the candidates’ strengths and experience match the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position, and what the candidate sees as challenges and opportunities of the Chair in a local and national academic environment, and; (3) names and contact information for five references.

A leadership statement is available for candidates to review which was developed by the faculty and provides department information to assist with the application. For any questions related to this search or to obtain the leadership statement, please contact April Rodriguez-Esparza, AMRodriguez@salud.unm.edu.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.