Professor, Internal Medicine-Infectious Disease

Infectious Disease Division Chief
Department of Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) - Galveston Texas

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch seeks a Division Chief of Infectious Diseases to build and expand clinical programs across UTMBs growing multi-campus health system. As UTMB extends its clinical footprint throughout Southeast Texas and the Houston region the Division Chief will deploy infectious diseases specialty services to new sites establish multidisciplinary clinical programs including outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy and specialized infection conferences and scale the ACGME-accredited fellowship training program.

This position reports to Dr. Salim Hayek Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. The Division Chief will work closely with hospital leadership fellow division chiefs and interdisciplinary colleagues across cardiology cardiac surgery orthopedic surgery transplant services and addiction medicine to position the division as a regional referral center for complex infectious disease management and antimicrobial stewardship.

INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT

UTMB is a $3.5 billion academic health center established in 1891 as Texass first medical school comprising Schools of Medicine Nursing Health Professions Public and Population Health and a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. With $168 million in sponsored research awards UTMB ranks 52nd nationally in NIH funding among medical schools and stands in the top 2 percent of institutions
receiving NIH support.

The institution operates four hospital campuses (Galveston Clear Lake League City Angleton-Danbury) with over 1000 beds and more than 90 clinics serving a population exceeding 1.8 million across Southeast Texas. UTMB is the only academic health science center south of Houston and serves as the Level I Trauma Center for a nine-county region. Clinical strengths include quaternary care capabilities comprehensive burn care through partnership with Shriners Hospital for Children transplant services and specialty medical care for a substantial portion of Texass incarcerated population through the TDCJ Hospital partnership. The main Galveston campus includes Jennie Sealy Hospital (310 patient rooms with 60 dedicated ICU beds completed 2016) and John Sealy Hospital along with the verified burn center and the 172-bed Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital.

UTMB houses the Galveston National Laboratory one of two BSL-4 biocontainment facilities on a U.S. university campus and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development. Research strengths include nationally recognized programs in microbiology and immunology (ranked in the top 10 nationally for NIH funding by the Blue Ridge Institute) infectious diseases anesthesiology critical care and translational sciences. The institution recently established the Moody Brain Health Institute with a $25 million philanthropic commitment. UTMB is a member of the Houston-based Texas Medical Center and benefits from philanthropic support exceeding $50 million annually including substantial backing from the Sealy & Smith Foundation.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Internal Medicine is the largest department within UTMBs John Sealy School of Medicine encompassing multiple divisions including Allergy and Immunology Endocrinology Gastroenterology & Hepatology General Medicine Geriatrics Infectious Disease Medical Oncology and Hematology Nephrology Palliative Care Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine and Rheumatology.
The department operates a categorical Internal Medicine residency program with approximately 32 positions per cycle as well as a distinctive combined Aerospace/Internal Medicine residency in partnership with NASAthe only program of its kind in the United States.

Under the leadership of Dr. Hayek who joined UTMB in 2024 from the University of Michigan the department emphasizes data-driven strategies precision medicine and integration of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence into clinical operations. The departments mission encompasses excellence in patient care robust training programs and expansion of research activities across basic translational and clinical domains.

DIVISION STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES

The Division of Infectious Diseases currently includes faculty with expertise spanning clinical infectious diseases HIV medicine travel medicine infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. The division provides consultative services across UTMBs multi-campus system and operates specialized clinical programs including:

HIV/AIDS Clinical Services - comprehensive care for patients with HIV infection including antiretroviral therapy management opportunistic infection treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis
Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases - pre-travel consultation post-travel evaluation and
management of imported tropical infections leveraging UTMBs Center for Tropical Diseases and
international research collaborations
Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship - hospital epidemiology services antimicrobial utilization review and quality improvement initiatives across the health system
Consultative Infectious Diseases Services - inpatient and outpatient consultation for complex infections including endocarditis osteomyelitis device-related infections and immunocompromised host infections

The division operates an ACGME-accredited two-year Infectious Diseases Fellowship that participates in the National Resident Matching Program. Fellows receive comprehensive training in clinical infectious diseases antimicrobial stewardship infection prevention and have opportunities for global health experiences and research mentorship. The division benefits from unique institutional resources including
access to the Galveston National Laboratory for research in emerging pathogens collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Leadership
Deploy infectious diseases consultation services across UTMBs four hospital campuses and expanding outpatient network establishing coverage models quality standards and referral pathways appropriate for a multi-site academic medical center
Establish and operationalize an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) program with protocols nursing coordination pharmacy partnerships and patient monitoring systems to support safe transition of complex IV antibiotic therapy to the outpatient setting
Build multidisciplinary clinical programs including an Endocarditis Conference (involving cardiology cardiac surgery and addiction medicine) and a Complex Orthopedic/Spine Infections Program (with orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery) to improve care coordination and outcomes for patients with complicated device-related and bone infections
Recruit mentor and retain clinical faculty to support service line growth and ensure sustainable coverage for consultative services across multiple sites while maintaining faculty satisfaction and work-life balance
Maintain an active clinical practice in infectious diseases appropriate to academic rank and administrative responsibilities

Educational Leadership
Oversee the ACGME-accredited Infectious Diseases Fellowship ensuring compliance with program requirements supporting fellow recruitment and maintaining or improving match competitiveness board pass rates and graduate career placement
Direct subspecialty education for Internal Medicine residents rotating through infectious diseases services coordinating didactic conferences case-based learning and mentorship opportunities
Expand fellowship program capacity strategically to support clinical expansion and research growth while maintaining educational quality and fellow satisfaction
Foster faculty development in clinical teaching and provide mentorship for junior faculty pursuing academic promotion through clinician-educator research or tenure tracks Research and Scholarship
Develop the divisions research portfolio through pursuit of extramural funding identification of collaborative opportunities and mentorship of faculty investigators and fellows
Leverage UTMBs research infrastructure particularly the Galveston National Laboratory Department of Microbiology and Immunology and international field sites to advance investigation in antimicrobial resistance emerging pathogens host-pathogen interactions global
health or other areas aligned with institutional and division strengths
Foster collaborative research with other UTMB departments and Texas Medical Center institutions to build competitive grant applications and expand the divisions academic impact
Support quality improvement initiatives outcomes research and scholarly activity among fellows and faculty ensuring all division members engage in scholarship appropriate to their career track

Administrative and Strategic Responsibilities
Develop and execute a five-year divisional strategic plan with measurable milestones for clinical expansion research funding and educational outcomes aligned with departmental and institutional priorities
Manage division budget optimize resource allocation including clinical revenue and operating expenses and work with departmental leadership on productivity metrics revenue cycle performance and payer contracting
Establish divisional governance structure including clinical operations research and fellowship program committees to ensure transparent decision-making and faculty engagement
Participate in departmental strategic planning faculty recruitment and institutional committees as assigned representing infectious diseases perspectives in health system and medical school forums
Collaborate with nursing leadership pharmacy services infection prevention and allied health professionals to ensure high-quality team-based care delivery and antimicrobial stewardship
Foster relationships with regional referral networks community physicians and healthcare systems to enhance UTMBs role as the academic medical center for Southeast Texas

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Required Qualifications
MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
Board certification in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine (or equivalent)
Eligibility for medical licensure in Texas
Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor at an accredited medical school or qualifications consistent with appointment at this level at UTMB
Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical program development education or research
Track record of effective collaboration with administrative clinical and academic colleagues

Valued Experience
Experience in multi-site or health system operations particularly expanding clinical services geographically or building programs across multiple hospital campuses
Track record of establishing OPAT programs multidisciplinary infection conferences or other specialized infectious diseases clinical services
Record of extramural funding from NIH CDC foundations or industry sponsors with particular interest in antimicrobial resistance emerging pathogens or global health research
Leadership roles in fellowship or residency education including program director or associate program director experience
Involvement in professional societies such as IDSA SHEA HIVMA ASTMH editorial boards or national committees relevant to infectious diseases
Experience with antimicrobial stewardship programs infection prevention or quality improvement methodologies
International research experience or interest in leveraging UTMBs global health infrastructure and field sites
Leadership development through participation in structured programs such as leadership academies executive education or formal management and communication workshops

COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT

Compensation for this position follows the Department of Internal Medicine Leader Compensation Plan and is benchmarked to the AAMC Faculty Salary Survey data aligned by academic rank. Total compensation includes a competitive base salary plus an at-risk leadership incentive tied to mutually agreed-upon annual performance goals across strategic priorities. A detailed Memorandum of Understanding will specify compensation structure effort allocation and performance expectations upon appointment.

The Division Chief will have access to divisional administrative support including an operations manager participation in departmental strategic planning and institutional resources for faculty development and clinical program development. Protected time for research or scholarly activity may be negotiated based on investigative portfolio and grant support. Startup funding for research may be available depending on the candidates research program and institutional priorities.

UTMB offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance retirement contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas or Optional Retirement Program professional development support and relocation assistance.

LOCATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Galveston Island (population approximately 50000) is located 30 miles south of Houston the nations fourth-largest city. The island offers Gulf Coast beaches extensive water recreation opportunities temperate climate and historic charm. The region provides notably lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan markets while maintaining proximity to Houstons world-class amenities.

Houston provides comprehensive cultural and recreational resources including professional sports (Astros Texans Rockets) performing arts venues the Museum District diverse international dining and extensive shopping. The region offers excellent outdoor recreation with beach access fishing and sailing along with strong public and private school options. The Texas Medical Centers proximity
facilitates academic collaboration and professional networking.

Major airports (Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental) provide convenient access for national and international travel supporting both professional engagement and personal connections.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application package including:
Curriculum vitae with complete bibliography
Leadership statement (2-3 pages) addressing:
o Relevant experience building clinical programs or expanding services across multiple sites particularly OPAT programs or multidisciplinary infection conferences
o Specific approach to establishing the OPAT program and developing the Endocarditis Conference and Complex Orthopedic/Spine Infections Program at UTMB
o Vision for leveraging UTMBs strengths in microbiology/immunology the Galveston National Laboratory and global health infrastructure to build a nationally competitive research program and strategy for securing extramural funding
o Philosophy on faculty recruitment development and retention in competitive markets with attention to creating sustainable and equitable workload models
o Leadership approach to managing the tripartite academic mission (clinical expansion research growth fellowship program development) and balancing these competing priorities
o Key institutional resources or support needed for success in this role
Three professional references with current contact information (letters will be requested at appropriate stage)

Submit application materials to:
Brittany Belew
Business Operations Manager

Initial inquiries are treated confidentially. Formal reference checks and finalist interviews will be conducted only with candidates explicit permission.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race color religion age national origin sex gender sexual orientation gender identity/expression genetic information disability veteran status or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.