University of Florida Health Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Institution and Departmental Summary
The University of Florida (UF) is the flagship university for the state of Florida, the nation’s third most populous state. In 2024, UF was ranked the number six public university in the country by US News & World Report. Located in Gainesville, UF has 16 colleges including six health colleges (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine) and a partner teaching hospital located on a contiguous 2,000-acre campus. In addition to the six health colleges, 11 major health-related research centers and institutes are designed to create synergies and collaborative research opportunities, including the National Cancer Institute-designated UF Health Cancer Center and the newest institute, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

The College of Medicine is the largest college within the University of Florida’s academic health center and has its primary medical school training site in Gainesville, closely affiliated with the Gainesville-based UF Health Shands Hospital. At this location, the college has 28 research-oriented basic and clinical academic departments, which house 1,629 faculty, 1,250 graduate students, 700 medical students and physician assistant students, and 890 residents and fellows. 

UF Health Shands Hospital, UF Health’s private, not-for-profit hospital system based in Gainesville, is home to a state-designated Level I trauma center, a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, a regional burn center, 1,076 licensed beds, and an emergency air and ground transport program. The system also comprises a network of outpatient rehabilitation centers and a home health agency. The hospital has the most ranked programs of any hospital in Florida and stands among the nation’s best hospitals in six adult and eight pediatric medical specialties.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has 35 clinical faculty and 26 APPs, who provide over 50,000 patient visits a year in the clinics, deliver over 3,000 babies a year, and provide exceptional subspecialty care in areas such as gynecologic oncology, minimally invasive surgery, reproductive endocrinology and maternal fetal medicine. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is divided into six clinical divisions: General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. In addition to these divisions, the Department provides access to education for patients through many condition-specific clinical programs.

In academic year 2024, the Department has $2.4 million in funded research awards and has been investing in research infrastrute to enable scholarly activity including the establishment of a vice chair for research, support for a research coordinator and biostatstician, and hiring a pre- and post-award specialist. Additionally, the residency program was recently expanded to six residents per year, and while the Department currently offers a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, it has also recieved approval for a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (pending final site visit in October 2024.) and an application for a Urogynecology fellowship has been submitted.  

Position and Candidate Summary
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports to the Dean of the UF College of Medicine and directs the patient care, research and education missions of the Department. The Chair is responsible for providing leadership in the development, and execution of all strategic plans and daily operations to ensure patient-focused, high-performing, and results-oriented clinical, educational, and scientific programs. In addition, the Chair will lead initiatives to support exceptional patient service, quality outcomes, faculty and staff satisfaction, growth and volume management, expanded research capabilities and improved financial performance. The Chair also serves as the Shands Hospital Service Chief and is responsible for the clinical care delivery within the Joint Commission accredited hospital. 

Key responsibilities

• Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs within obstetrics and gynecology and associated disciplines. 
• Work closely and collaboratively with other UF Health, and College of Medicine leaders to integrate areas of acknowledged clinical excellence with outstanding quality, outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Ensure delivery of excellent clinical education, and advanced training to medical students, residents and fellows. 
• Recruit, hire, and retain outstanding faculty and departmental leaders from diverse backgrounds. Ensure an atmosphere of respect, professional support and development for all stakeholders.
• Supervise, prepare, implement, and monitor the budget so that it encompasses all funding sources, and complies with grant, legislative and institutional guidelines.
• Define and lead the research strategy, supporting principal investigators, and other faculty within the Department in efforts to secure NIH, and other grant funding, and ensuring deliberate investment into research activities, and priorities to promote growth and facilitate future success.

Ideal experience

• Academic leadership

• Clinical operations management

Success managing complex clinical programs focused on access, quality, patient satisfaction and provider support. Experience managing budgets and providing financial oversight.

• Personal scholarship and work in support of others

A record of academic accomplishments as reflected by scholarly publications and research, national and international society service, and clinical expertise; personal scholarship must meet the requirements for UF faculty appointment at the professor level. Demonstrated contributions to research success is expected, and a track record of research mentoring is desired.

• Commitment to opportunity 

Evidence of commitment to and success in advancing institutional initiatives related to ensuring access to clinical care, faculty professional development, and community building.

• D. and board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Additional degrees are considered additive and highly desirable.

Critical leadership capabilities

• Leading people: The incoming Chair should possess the requisite leadership skills to take a well-performing department to the next level of academic and clinical excellence. The Chair will demonstrate an ability to build and lead cohesive, high-performing teams focused on achieving optimal quality and outcomes across patient care, education, and research 

• Collaborating and Influencing: The next Chair will note the importance of building strong relationships in UF’s multi-stakeholder environment, and will position the Department as a major contributor within the overall institution and external 

• Building People Capability: The successful candidate should enthusiastically lead the educational development of students, staff, and faculty and contribute to the Department’s education.

Contact Information