Chair of the Department of Surgery

Job Summary:

The Department is home to over 600 faculty researchers staff and trainees all dedicated to supporting the community fostering a culture of collaboration and developing specialists with exceptional knowledge skills and compassion to improve patient outcomes. As world-class leaders the Department of Surgery merges rigorous clinical training with pioneering research and innovation.

Mission and Vision

To make a positive contribution to every persons life. Through care curing compassion and hope the department will improve the lives of patients their families department team members the community and the world.

The Department of Surgery performs 23000 annual OR cases and nearly 75000 annual patient visits.

Divisions include:

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Surgical Oncology

GI Trauma and Endocrine Surgery

Transplant Surgery

Pediatric Surgery

Urology

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Research

The Department demonstrates strong and consistent research productivity with robust year-over-year funding and expanding clinical trial activity underscoring its growing impact on translational and patient-centered research.

In 2024 the Department had 75 research faculty and staff was ranked #18 by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research up from #25 in 2021 and received $18M in new grant funding for the year. The Department has 128 active enrolling clinical trials and 31 active issued patents. The Department is supported by the Clinical Research Officer (CRO) an eight-member research support team.

Services include administration of the regulatory and financial components of the Surgery research portfolio. The CRO facilitates communication with the different offices in the University as well as reaching out to other institutions and sponsors and providing guidance to the Department on Federal State Sponsor and University policies.

Education

The Department of Surgery offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum that blends rigorous academic training with hands-on clinical experience. The program emphasizes innovative surgical techniques cutting-edge research and compassionate patient care.

With a focus on mentorship and professional development residents and fellows gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly evolving medical field.

The Department has 134 residents and fellows and has 19 Residency and Fellowship Programs.

Residency and Fellowship Programs include:

APP Fellowship Program

Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

Burn Surgery Fellowship

Pediatric Urology Fellowship

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency

Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship

Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

ECMO/MCS Fellowship Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

General Surgery Residency Transplant Surgery Fellowship

Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship

Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship

Microsurgery Fellowship Urology Residency

Pediatric Colorectal Surgery Fellowship

Vascular Surgery Fellowship

Pediatric Surgery Fellowship

Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency

The Department of Surgery utilizes a state-of-the-art facility Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI) designed to support first-class training that brings advanced methods and innovative surgical technology into operating

rooms around the world.

For additional information please see: Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the leadership of the University of Colorado School of Medicine provide visionary and innovative leadership to lead the Department into the next phase of growth and development.

Recruit hire and retain outstanding faculty and departmental leaders from a broad range of backgrounds. Ensure an atmosphere of respect professional support and development for all stakeholders.

Support the goal of recognizing the value of all employees embracing varied perspectives and experiences and contributing to a positive collaborative culture that engenders a commitment to the organizations success.

Ensure a deliberate and priority-driven investment into research educational and clinical activities for the Department and institution.

Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs within surgery and related disciplines. Work with other leaders at the University of Colorado to build and grow areas of acknowledged clinical excellence.

Define and lead the research strategy supporting principal investigators and other faculty within the Department in efforts to secure NIH and other grant funding and ensuring deliberate investment into research activities and priorities to promote growth and facilitate future success.

Ensure delivery of excellent clinical education and advanced training to medical students residents and fellows. Provide leadership and oversight to the residency and fellowship programs within the Department and ensure learners are receiving comprehensive training and development opportunities.

Supervise prepare implement and monitor the budget so that it encompasses all funding sources and complies with grant legislative and institutional guidelines.

Work Location:

Onsite this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora Colorado

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science medicine education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorados health professional schools more than 60 centers and institutes and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado HospitalandChildrens Hospital Colorado - which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative interconnected and highly collaborative CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training.

Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• M.D. or D.O. and Board Certification in Surgery

• Service as a chair vice chair division chief or in a similar executive role with a record of developing clinical and scholastic programs

• A record of scholarly academic accomplishments as reflected in number and impact of publications history of successful funding and serving in national and international societies.

• Recruitment and development of physicians coupled with demonstrated success in mentorship and the demonstrated enthusiasm and ability to identify recruit and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds across all roles

• Success managing complex clinical programs focused on access quality patient satisfaction and provider support. Experience managing budgets and providing financial oversight

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating environments that encourage mutual respect understanding and active participation from all members and the community.

• Experience working across health systems or within integrated care models with a focus on collaboration among hospitals outpatient settings and community partners.

• Demonstrated experience implementing evidence-based practices and advancing clinical innovations that improve patient outcomes.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• The highest integrity and personal ethics.

• A commitment to service within the community.

• Outstanding communication skills both oral and written.

• Strong organizational and process management skills.

• A commitment to listening and responding to the Department members and their needs.

• An ability to prioritize the interests of the Department above ones own interest.

How to Apply:

For full consideration please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Five professional references including name address phone number (mobile number if appropriate) and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at should be directed to: Mark Couch at

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration apply by 5/1/2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE: $400000-$1150000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the Universitys good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at .

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty staff students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and othervaccine preventable diseases. If you work visit or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work visit or volunteer addition if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties you must enroll in theoccupational health medical surveillance program.