Chair of Surgery, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Chief of Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center

Position Description

The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (UTCOMLS) and University of Toledo Health (UToledo Health) seek a transformative leader with outstanding clinical skills, academic credentials, and executive acumen to serve as Chair of Surgery at UTCOM, Chief of Surgery at the University of Toledo Medical Center, and Academic Chief of Surgery at ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

The Chair of Surgery will have a unique opportunity to advance the University’s academic surgical reputation through strategic leadership, faculty recruitment and management, operations excellence, and partnership development with regional teaching and research affiliate organizations. The Chair will report directly to the Dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. He/she will also serve as service chief at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) and on the UTMC Medical Executive Committee of the Medical Staff.

The Chair of Surgery functions as a key leader within the UTCOMLS and the University’s affiliated surgical educational programs at UTMC and ProMedica Toledo Hospital. A keen systems orientation is critical to success in this complex, matrixed environment, as is a focus on building collaborative relationships across a multi-site regional healthcare education ecosystem. The Chair will be expected to work productively with a variety of key stakeholders to strengthen existing programs and create new educational and clinical initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a nationally recognized academic surgeon with a passion for surgical excellence, sophisticated leadership and mentoring skills, and a record of achievement in clinical, educational, and administrative roles. They will demonstrate a commitment to faculty, departmental, and institutional success; approach this work with a deep understanding of how culture influences organizational success; and a willingness to be both tactical and strategic in achieving organizational goals. The next Chair must be passionate about building consensus, yet unafraid to make tough decisions or lead change. As an advocate and trusted steward of the department, the new Chair will spearhead transformational changes and promote expansive growth to support the mission and vision of UTCOMLS, UToledo Health, and support the affiliation with ProMedica.

The Chair must share and demonstrate a passion for the institutional mission of providing exceptional clinical, educational, and research services, including interprofessional team building. He/she must possess the business acumen and cultural sensitivity to manage in a complex organization and demonstrate the interpersonal skills that will ensure successful relationship building with a variety of external and internal stakeholders, including community clinicians and leaders, donors, and other relevant external entities.

The Chair will collaborate with UTCOMLS, UToledo Health, and ProMedica leadership to develop and implement an academic strategic plan for all surgical specialties within the department, with a focus on excellence in clinical, teaching, and research mission. He/she will also oversee the involvement of volunteer faculty in the Department’s activities; manage department incentives within the faculty compensation plan; lead academic program development in collaboration with the UTCOMLS Dean, UToledo Health and, when appropriate, ProMedica leadership; and ensure that the residency program has adequate resources to remain nationally competitive.

Candidate Qualifications

• An M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or D.O. degree with board certification in Surgery and/or a relevant surgical subspecialty.
• Demonstrated progressive administrative experience, preferably within an academic health center or teaching institution.
• Recognized nationally through involvement in academic societies at a national level.
• Possession of, or eligibility for, a medical license in the state of Ohio.

Leadership & Management Experience

• Provide strategic and unifying leadership to guide the Department of Surgery in advancing its clinical, academic, research, and service missions in alignment with the goals of the UTCOMLS, UToledo Health, affiliated partners, and the broader Toledo community.
• Demonstrate a proven record of progressive leadership in an academic surgical department or health system, with the ability to integrate and expand comprehensive surgical services that meet the evolving needs of a complex and growing clinical enterprise.
• Articulate a bold, compelling vision for the Department’s future—one that inspires excellence in surgical care, innovation in research, and distinction in surgical education and training.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and partnership by working effectively with medical school leadership, hospital administration, surgical and non-surgical faculty, residents, and community stakeholders to improve the quality and scope of surgical care delivery.
• Serve as a consensus-builder and change agent, demonstrating the courage and influence to mobilize teams, navigate challenges, and unite diverse voices around shared strategic priorities.
• Possess strong business acumen and strategic insight, with the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging trends, regulatory challenges, and opportunities in academic surgery and health care.
• Lead the alignment of strategic and operational plans, ensuring people, systems, and resources are effectively coordinated to support high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered surgical services.
• Drive innovation in surgical quality, safety, and performance improvement, achieving superior clinical outcomes, financial performance, and high patient, physician, and staff satisfaction.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain high-caliber faculty and staff, building cohesive, mission-driven teams that exemplify professionalism, clinical excellence, and academic productivity.
• Support the development of future surgical leaders, fostering leadership pathways among faculty, residents, and fellows, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning.
• Advance interdisciplinary research and education, facilitating collaboration across departments and institutions to drive innovation in surgical science, education, and patient care.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, establishing and monitoring clear performance benchmarks aligned with departmental and institutional goals.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of departmental life, contributing to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative culture that supports individual and organizational success.

The Department of Surgery

The Department of Surgery is vital to the academic and clinical mission of the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (UTCOMLS). With 16 full-time clinical faculty and 3 research faculty, the Department is committed to advancing patient care, education, and research in northwest Ohio and the surrounding tri-state region. Faculty expertise spans a wide range of surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, surgical oncology, neurosurgery, trauma and critical care, transplant, oral/head and neck, breast, vascular, plastic, and reconstructive surgery.

The Department is nationally recognized for its strengths in surgical oncology, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery. UTMC offers one of the few U.S. programs for isolated limb and organ perfusion chemotherapy. The 30,000 sq. ft. George Isaac Minimally Invasive Surgery Center supports advanced robotic, laparoscopic, and single-port procedures. UTMC’s neurosurgical program has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report.

The ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program, with a 10-year accreditation cycle, is a six-year track that includes a dedicated research year. A state-of-the-art simulation center, robust clinical and research opportunities, and a rigorous didactic curriculum support training. Faculty and residents also contribute to the education of 175 UTCOM medical students annually.

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences

The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (UTCOMLS) is a student-focused, premier academic institution dedicated to the education of future physicians and physician-scientists. With a distinguished faculty committed to integrating research, education, and clinical care, the college equips students with the knowledge, skills, and professional values essential for securing competitive residency placements and for practicing medicine effectively in a wide range of communities and healthcare settings.

The College’s education programs demonstrate a track record of accomplishment and innovation. The latest LCME visit in 2021 was highly complementary, conferring an eight- year accreditation. UTCOMLS is a leader in inter-professional education and technology- enabled new approaches to medical education. In 2025, the University of Toledo was recognized as a Carnegie R1 Research Institution, with the college being an integral part of this designation with an annual research budget exceeding $24 million. UTCOMLS continues to actively position itself as a center of excellence in research, as evidenced by its rankings in research funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

UTCOMLS is part of the 450-acre Health Science Campus, which includes the University of Toledo Medical Center (with an ambulatory surgical center, inpatient psychiatric hospital, cancer center, and ambulatory clinics), as well as the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Health Science Campus also houses the Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art learning facility featuring virtual and interactive learning labs. In all, this integrated health science campus offers an interactive and formative educational experience for students, residents in graduate medical education programs, and other healthcare professionals, enabling them to maximize the development of their personal and empathetic skills, as well as their diagnostic and problem-solving techniques.

Centers and Institutes at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center (UT-IISC)

UT-IISC integrates three state-of-the-art centers: the Progressive Anatomy & Surgical Skills Center, the Advanced Clinical Simulation Center, and the Virtual Immersive Reality Center. Together, they enhance patient safety and clinical outcomes by providing hands-on, competency-based training for students and healthcare professionals. Teams practice in simulated environments to improve communication and reduce medical errors.

Center of Excellence in Biomarker Research and Individualized Medicine (BRIM) Part of the Translational Health and Bioscience initiative, BRIM fosters innovation in biomarker discovery and commercialization. With 11 candidate biomarkers and eight bioscience spin-offs (four focused on biomarkers), the center drives regional biotech growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation in Ohio.

Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center

The Dana Cancer Center delivers comprehensive cancer care in a centralized location at UTMC. It provides coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment for patients across northwest Ohio and beyond. Potential for interdisciplinary collaboration exists to grow the research and clinical programs.

Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research (CeDER)

CeDER promotes research on obesity, diabetes, and endocrine disorders. Known for its interdisciplinary approach, it connects experts across multiple departments and colleges, addressing conditions from endocrine cancers to transplant immunology. CeDER enjoys strong community support and growing national and international recognition.

Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine (CHPM)

Built on a 39-year NIH-funded hypertension research program, CHPM focuses on genetics and genomics in cardiovascular diseases. It fosters collaboration across the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, with strong emphasis on translational genomic medicine.

Ruth M. Hillebrand Clinical Skills Center

A nationally recognized facility, the Hillebrand Center offers immersive, interactive training for students and professionals to strengthen communication, clinical reasoning, and diagnostic skills in a supportive environment.

E-CORE unites experts from medicine, engineering, and allied health to study the human skeletal system. It supports interdisciplinary research in orthopedics, bone biology, biomechanics, and rehabilitation.

University of Toledo Health (UTH)

As the only academic health system in Northwest Ohio, UToledo Health comprises the University of Toledo Medical Center, University of Toledo Physicians, and multiple ambulatory clinic and dental practice sites. Created by the UToledo Board of Trustees on February 8, 2023, UToledo Health aligns the university’s clinical operations with top academic medical centers and encourages strategic growth. It includes the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC), employed faculty physicians and dentists, and is overseen by the UToledo Health Board, which reports to the Board of Trustees.

University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC)

Since 1964, UTMC has provided advanced, patient-focused care to the Toledo community and beyond. Established as a teaching hospital, UTMC remains dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare professionals while providing high-quality care across various specialties.

UTMC plays a vital role in serving the region’s medically underserved populations, with over 300,000 patient encounters annually, including nearly 10,000 inpatient admissions, 200,000 outpatient visits, and over 30,000 emergency department visits in FY2025. The hospital has 319 registered beds and draws upon the expertise of university-based physicians and healthcare providers.

Key clinical strengths include:

• Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Center
• Neurology (including Joint Commission Advanced Thrombectomy Stroke Center)
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Trauma and emergency care
• Orthopedic surgery
• Cancer treatment

Located on the university’s Health Science Campus, UTMC provides convenient, hands-on training for students in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health fields. More than 380 medical and dental residents and fellows are currently training at UTMC and affiliated health systems.

UTMC is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, receiving its most recent three-year accreditation in January 2024.

Awards and Recognitions

UTMC has earned several distinctions for its commitment to quality care and innovation:

• U.S. News & World Report (2024–25): High-Performing Hospital in Heart Failure
• American Heart Association (2024): Get With the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Award
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation (2024): LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer
• Epic Systems: Gold Star Level 8 & Good Install Award for excellence in EMR implementation (launched Sept. 2022)

To learn more or view a video about UTMC, visit: https://health.utoledo.edu/ut-medical- center/index.html

ProMedica Health

ProMedica is a mission-driven, nonprofit health system offering quality health care services in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. As a network of hospitals, physicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, and specialized clinics and facilities, ProMedica provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic, medical, and surgical services in areas like emergency medicine and trauma, heart and vascular care, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, women’s services, and children’s services.

ProMedica’s 13-hospital system employs over 13,000 staff members, including around 2,100 physicians and more than 1,000 healthcare providers working for ProMedica Physicians. Across the system, ProMedica cares for more than 4.7 million patients each year at over 400 sites in the region. It also operates a health plan, Paramount Healthcare, which serves more than 240,000 members. Guided by its mission to improve health and well-being, ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital serve as the flagship hospitals anchoring the academic medical center.

The University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System signed a new Academic Affiliation Agreement in May 2024 that will support medical education in the greater Toledo community for the next decade.

University of Toledo

The University of Toledo stands as a dynamic public research university with a long- standing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. On May 22, 2025, UToledo marked a new chapter in leadership with the appointment of Dr. James Holloway as the institution’s 19th president, emphasizing a continued focus on mission- driven transformation.

Established in 1872 and incorporated into Ohio’s state university system in 1967, UToledo expanded its scope and impact through its 2006 merger with the Medical University of Ohio. Today, the institution is one of 14 public universities in Ohio and offers more than 200 academic programs across associate, bachelor’s, graduate, and professional levels— delivered through flexible day, evening, and online formats. UToledo is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report and continues to grow its visibility as a comprehensive institution that bridges academic rigor with applied learning.

UToledo is distinguished by its research enterprise, recognized nationally for its leadership in solar energy innovation, water quality and environmental science, cellular biology, and astrophysics. The University strategically integrates research and teaching, with students engaged in inquiry-based learning as early as their first year. This culture of innovation is supported by interdisciplinary collaboration and modern research infrastructure across its campuses.

Central to UToledo’s mission is an unwavering dedication to access and social mobility.

Nearly 26% of UToledo students are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.

The University’s Tuition Guarantee ensures predictability and affordability, while robust student support services and high-impact practices contribute to measurable outcomes in graduate success. UToledo is consistently recognized as a top performer in advancing

social mobility and is among Ohio’s leading institutions for income mobility among its alumni.

The University’s physical presence spans over 1,400 acres and includes more than 100 major facilities. The Main Campus—located in the Ottawa Hills and Old Orchard neighborhoods of Toledo—is known for its distinctive Gothic architecture and collegiate atmosphere. The 450-acre Health Science Campus serves as a cornerstone of the region’s academic medical enterprise, housing the University of Toledo Medical Center (a Level 2 trauma center), the Orthopaedics Center, the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center, and the

Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center—a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art facility for collaborative health sciences education.

Further extending its reach, UToledo supports creative and environmental scholarship through the Center for Visual Arts, located at the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Lake Erie Center, a coastal research station advancing Great Lakes science and community engagement.

The Community: Toledo, Ohio

Toledo is a dynamic, resilient city in Northwest Ohio, located near the western shores of Lake Erie. With a metropolitan population of over 600,000, it combines Midwestern friendliness with an innovative spirit and a strong sense of community. Like the University of Toledo, the city is built on grit, determination, and opportunity.

Historically recognized for its glass and auto industries, Toledo is now a growing hub for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, education, and technology. It’s home to several Fortune 500 companies and national corporations that collaborate with UToledo on research, internships, and job opportunities.

Residents and visitors enjoy a revitalized downtown, vibrant neighborhoods, and abundant natural spaces. Highlights include:

• Toledo Museum of Art – nationally renowned with a world-class glass collection
• Fifth Third Field – one of the best minor league ballparks, home of the Toledo Mud Hens
• Glass City Metropark – the city’s newest riverfront attraction
• Live entertainment – big-name concerts, Broadway shows, and festivals
• Thriving food scene – from iconic family-owned restaurants to modern farm-to-table dining and craft breweries
• Loft and condo living – urban residential options near restaurants and nightlife

Nature lovers will appreciate:

• Lake Erie & Maumee River – for boating, fishing, and kayaking
• Toledo Zoo – one of the nation’s top-rated zoos
• 19 Metroparks – featuring 120+ miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching
• A 6-mile path from Main Campus to Wildwood Metropark and the suburb of Sylvania