Chair, Department of Surgery

Macon & Joan Brock, Virginia Health Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University (VHS) seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary academic surgeon to serve as its next Chair of the Department of Surgery. Reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Chair will have the opportunity to build upon the Department’s distinguished legacy while advancing innovation, growth, and excellence across its clinical, educational, research, and community missions.

The next Chair of the Department of Surgery will be a nationally recognized surgeon with a distinguished record of achievement in clinical care, education, research, and leadership. The Chair will possess exceptional administrative and organizational skills, a collaborative leadership style, and a demonstrated ability to lead within a complex academic health system. The Chair will be responsible for the overall strategic, financial, clinical, academic, and operational leadership of the Department.

In partnership with division leaders, hospital and health system executives, and departmental administrators, the Chair will strengthen the Department’s clinical enterprise, expand its academic impact, and advance its missions of patient care, education, research, and community engagement.

The following represent key opportunities and expectations for the new Chair of Surgery to address within the first 18-24 months of their tenure (not in any particular order of importance):

• Develop and communicate a compelling vision for the future of the Department that aligns with the strategic priorities of Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and its affiliated clinical partners. The Chair will serve as a visible advocate, both internally and externally, for the Department and establish credibility as a trusted leader, clinician, educator, and collaborator.
• Strengthen collaboration and alignment across the Department’s diverse clinical sites and affiliated health system partners, including Sentara Health, CHKD, and the Hampton VA Medical Center. The Chair will cultivate strong relationships across the enterprise and identify opportunities for programmatic growth, integration, and innovation.
• Advance and expand the Department’s clinical enterprise by enhancing access to care, growing key service lines, including colorectal and transplant surgery, improving quality and outcomes, and positioning the Department as a leading destination for surgical care throughout southeastern Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse, high-performing faculty. The Chair will support and mentor current division leaders while leading strategic faculty recruitment efforts aligned with departmental and institutional priorities.
• Foster a culture of engagement, collegiality, accountability, and professional growth. The Chair will champion faculty development and create pathways for success across the missions of clinical care, education, research, and leadership.
• Strengthen surgical education programs at all levels, ensuring continued excellence in medical student education, residency training, and fellowship programs. Evaluate opportunities to launch additional fellowship programs and add clinical training sites for residents. The Chair will support educational innovation and maintain strong accreditation outcomes while attracting highly talented and diverse learners.
• Expand the Department’s research portfolio through strategic recruitment, mentorship, and resource development. The Chair will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and support initiatives that increase scholarly productivity, translational research, clinical trials, and extramural funding.
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