Executive Dean, College of Medicine

The University of Tennessee (UT) Health Science Center seeks nominations and applications for an inspiring, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as the Executive Dean of the College of Medicine (COM). Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the next Executive Dean will join an institution at a propitious time of forward momentum and measurable progress in establishing a statewide presence and will be guided by UT Health Science Center’s new strategic plan and new vision – Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities. The new Executive Dean will be an empathetic listener and open communicator with the proven ability to nurture a positive internal community and sustain strong external relationships. With a collaborative spirit and engaging presence, the Executive Dean will play an integral role in representing the COM and harnessing opportunities to elevate the college as a leader in medical education, clinical practice, community engagement, and basic, clinical, and translational research.

UT Health Science Center works to transform lives through collaborative and inclusive education, research/scholarship, clinical care, and public service. UT Health Science Center is comprised of colleges of dentistry, graduate health sciences, health professions, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, making it the largest educator of healthcare professionals in Tennessee. The campus conducted more than $100 million in extramurally funded research in FY 2023, provided care for patients in partnership with 11 clinical hospital affiliates across the state, and trained over 3,000 students and 1,400 residents and fellows.

The COM-Memphis plays an important role within UT Health Science Center, enrolling nearly 750 students and receiving $75 million in extramural research funding in FY 2023. With its home in Memphis, the COM has campuses in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville. The COM-Memphis maintains hospital clinical affiliations with Regional One Health (primary adult affiliate), Methodist University Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital (primary children’s healthcare affiliate), Baptist Memorial Hospital, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. (Memphis) VA Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital for adult care, and world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The COM also has vital hospital relationships established across the state of Tennessee, including with Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, Erlanger Health in Chattanooga, UT Medical Center in Knoxville, and West Tennessee Health in Jackson. There are also interdigitating clinical group practice relationships with partners across the state. The next Executive Dean has an opportunity to transform the COM and health in the region and across the state to bring cohesion and real impact across the underserved Mississippi Delta and Appalachia regions.

The Executive Dean will lead, champion, and leverage the critical and unique role of the COM within UT Health Science Center to advance its educational, research, and outreach missions. The successful candidate must ensure that the COM advances educational excellence, assuring continued accreditation in all programs and at all levels, and strengthens its place as a home for both basic and translational science research, in addition to stewarding and mentoring the talent at the COM and recruiting new talent, all while developing and implementing a strategic plan that advances the mission of improving the health of the citizens and communities of Tennessee. The Executive Dean will be attentive to growing the COM’s relationships with clinical affiliates to better serve and deliver care to the community and region. They will be a spokesperson for the COM, broadcasting the achievements of faculty, staff, and learners to amplify its reach and enable growth, new resources and philanthropic support. 

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Executive Dean is charged with advancing the academic and research missions of the College and is a vital partner, working closely with the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, in diplomatically managing the multilateral associations with hospital leadership to support the clinical enterprise. The successful candidate will have the in-depth knowledge and ability to effectively lead physicians, researchers, educators, and staff while effectively leading change management and having strong financial acumen. Qualified candidates must hold an MD or equivalent medical degree and meet the University of Tennessee Health Science Center criteria for appointment to a full professor, which includes the prerequisite scholarship and experience consistent with related appointment. Candidates will be expected to actively engage with the community and serve the state of Tennessee. 

Please note that all applications, including a cover letter and resume, must be submitted via  UT Health Science Center’s Application System.

Jamie Sands and Stephanie Fidel are leading this search with Nick Strand.

Candidates who do not apply through UT Health Science Center’s Online Application System will not be considered for the job.

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the appropriate affirmative action office. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the campus ADA Coordinator.