Chair of the Department of Medical Education and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine

Position Summary:

Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Medical Education and Biomedical Sciences at the newly established Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine (MUCFVH SOM). The School of Medicine has received Preliminary Accreditation from the LCME and is currently recruiting its inaugural class for matriculation in Summer 2026.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an innovative collaborative academic leader to shape and lead a diverse group of faculty educators within a new and growing medical school.

The department brings together two synergistic groups:

1. Faculty in biomedical sciences that ground students in the scientific basis of medicine; and

2. Faculty in related medical education roles such as instructional design library information assessment and faculty development who advance the science and practice of teaching and learning.

Together these groups form an integrated undergraduate medical education core that is deeply committed to educational excellence service and community impact within the School of Medicine.

The Chair will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the department which plays a central role in the design delivery and continuous improvement of the medical schools clinical presentation curriculum. The successful candidate will be a collaborative experienced leader with a strong background in medical education curriculum development faculty development and educational scholarship.

Key Chair Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the departments vision mission and strategic goals.
• Align departmental goals with institutional priorities accreditation standards and evolving models of competency-based medical education
• Provide day-to-day academic administrative and operational leadership and support for the department including mentorship sponsorship and annual reviews.
• Partner with the Academic Affairs Office to ensure development and integration of foundational sciences clinical reasoning and professional competencies.
• Partner with the Research Office to develop a research agenda for the department.
• Advocate and advance faculty development and evidence-based educational practices in teaching assessment and scholarship
• Meet with faculty regularly to set goals and follow up on meeting those goals.
• Serve as the primary advocate for the academic identity of medical education within the School of Medicine.
• Ensure leadership in faculty development related to teaching assessment and educational scholarship is nurtured coordinated and advanced by the Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development (FAFD) Office.
• Recruit mentor and support a diverse and talented team of educators across disciplines and staff.
• Foster a culture of innovation scholarship and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with other department chairs course directors and institutional leaders to ensure curricular integration and alignment with accreditation standards.
• Represent the department in institutional planning accreditation processes and external partnerships.
• Participate in activities that promote compliance with LCME and other relevant accreditation standards.
• Prepare documentation and reports for accreditation reviews and site visits as requested.
• Manage departmental budget resources and staffing.
• Oversee departmental operations including scheduling communications and reporting.
• Advocate for resources to support educational initiatives and faculty development.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration inclusiveness and belonging.
• Report to the Dean and be an integral part of the MU CFVH SOM Deans Council.

Key Faculty Responsibilities:

• Design develop and direct an assigned course as a course director and contribute to other courses as a discipline/thread lead.
• Model excellence in educational leadership and innovation by serving as a course director and guiding faculty across disciplines
• Collaborate with all faculty to build courses/clerkships for the program.
• Contribute to educational scholarship.
• Participate in professional service and academic citizenship.
• Teach and mentor future physicians through large and small group facilitation and other flipped active learning strategies including case-based learning activities based on clinical presentation schemas.
• Develop and implement innovative courses and content grounded in the latest educational methodologies.

CARTS Effort

Clinical: N/A

Administrative: 30% (negotiable)

Research/Service: 10%

Teaching/Education: 60%

PhD MD DO or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field.

• A record of excellence in leadership teaching curriculum development and educational scholarship preferably at the undergraduate medical education level.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively across departments and disciplines.
• Experience with LCME accreditation and competency-based medical education.
• Strong leadership organizational and communication skills.
• Skilled in mentoring faculty.
• Familiarity with emerging trends in medical education including technology-enhanced learning and interprofessional education.
• Commitment to student-centered education and community engagement.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in medical or health professions education.
• Expertise in one or more Biomedical Science Domains.

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Community Engagement statement
• Names and contact information for three references

Applications should be submitted through the Methodist University employment website. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.