Heersink School of Medicine--Chair of Emergency Medicine

Heersink School of Medicine-Open Rank-Chair of Emergency Medicine

Title Heersink School of Medicine-Open Rank-Chair of Emergency Medicine

Assignment Category Full-Time

Rank Open Rank

Payroll Status Faculty 12

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), a member of the University of Alabama System, is Alabama’s largest single employer and a globally recognized research university and academic health center. UAB Medicine comprises the Marnix

E. Heersink School of Medicine and the UAB Health System, the state’s largest and most comprehensive health system, known for exemplary patient care, pioneering research, and advanced medical education.

HSOM has campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, and serves over 800 students, 1,154 residents and fellows, and more than 2,000 faculty across 27 departments.

The UAB Health System is a growing $8B organization with over 33,000 employees. In fall 2024 it acquired Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System, adding five hospitals, a freestanding Emergency Department, and imaging centers. The system now operates 15 network hospitals and 3,552 licensed beds.

The Department of Emergency Medicine is nationally recognized, earning the first Level‑1 Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians in 2025. The department is expanding with new exam rooms, mobile treatment units, and a $73M construction project creating 66,030 square feet of clinical space.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean, Heersink School of Medicine, and working closely with UAB leadership, the Chair will enhance clinical and research collaborations, innovate, develop, and translate new treatments and cures. The Chair will lead a thriving department in education, research, and clinical care, shaping an overarching vision across mission areas, and manage faculty, finance, and operations.

• Serve as chief executive and academic officer of the department.
• Promote and maintain excellence in teaching, research, and service.
• Ensure financial stability by implementing budgeting, business, and productivity measurement systems.
• Recruit, retain, and promote high‑quality faculty and staff to achieve the department’s tripartite mission.
• Promote good citizenship within the department with appropriate oversight and accountability.
• Implement systems to measure and assess outcomes of departmental and faculty endeavors.
• Develop and support scholarly research within the discipline and in collaboration with other disciplines.
• Ensure education programs meet student and trainee needs and comply with accreditation requirements.
• Participate fully in the Executive Committee of the School to advise and recommend policies for the School and the University.
• Ensure compliance with UAB and School policies and procedures.
• Lead strategic planning for the department and participate in strategic planning for the School and the University.
• Communicate the strategic direction of the School, academic health center, and University to department faculty.
• Ensure departmental goals align with and support the goals of the School, University, and Health System.
• Provide timely advice and counsel to the Dean and other University leaders on matters related to the department, the School, and UAB.
• Participate fully in the UAB Medicine Medical Executive Committee as chief of emergency services and the UAHSF Presidents Council.
• Actively participate in external evaluation of the department on a five‑to‑seven‑year cycle.

• M.D. or M.D./ Ph.D.
• Academic rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Strong track record of academic leadership in a comprehensive public urban research university with an academic medical center.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with leaders of various backgrounds and interests.
• Competency navigating interactions among educational, research, and service missions of a complex academic medical center department.
• Proven capabilities in financial stewardship, budget management, and resource allocation.
• Solid vision for building a top‑ranked Department of Emergency Medicine.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exhibits a…