Division Chief of Surgical Oncology

The University of New Mexico is seeking an innovative, visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the next Division Chief of Surgical Oncology. Reporting to the Chair of Surgery, the Division Chief of Surgical Oncology provides strategic leadership for the clinical, educational, and research missions of the Division of Surgical Oncology and plays a key leadership role in the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and the UNM School of Medicine are the primary provider of tertiary and quaternary care in New Mexico, serving a population of over 2 million people. The Division of Surgical Oncology is the state’s primary referral center for the full breadth of surgical oncology including melanoma, sarcoma, HIPEC, breast cancer, gastrointestinal and hepatopancreaticobiliary tumors at an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center supporting a CGSO fellowship. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a robust academic division of talented and dedicated fellowship-trained oncologic surgeons within a mission-focused institution that is nationally recognized for its commitment to health equity, education, and groundbreaking clinical research.

The UNM Health Science Center (UNM-HSC) is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. UNM is also a recipient of the National Institute of Health (NIH) sponsored Clinical Translational Science Center Award which accelerates laboratory discoveries into clinical treatments. The Department of Surgery features a vibrant teaching environment, including a well-established general surgery residency program that graduates 7 chief residents a year, an accredited complex general oncology fellowship since 2020, and medical students, all of whom rotate through the division of surgical oncology that has historically been recognized as an exceptionally valuable educational opportunity through multiple teaching awards from learners at all levels.

Outpatient services are based at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, a state-of-the‑art facility with beautiful clinic spaces and ample resources for patient care and clinical research. The University of New Mexico Hospital serves as the principal in-patient facility. A new state-of-the‑art in-patient tower opened in October 2025. This modern facility includes intensive care units, emergency medical services, and brand new 18 operating suits, with 2 additional hybrid rooms.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth: Support existing and expanding surgical oncology services and multidisciplinary clinics.
• Faculty Mentorship: Supporting the professional development of junior and mid-career faculty.
• Research Integration: Fostering a culture of clinical trial enrollment and translational research.
• Education: Overseeing the surgical oncology training for residents and fellows within the Department of Surgery.

The Division Chief will work with a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, APPs, and other physicians involved in care of patients with the full spectrum of malignant conditions, with the aim of providing state of the art high-quality care to patients.

Minimum Qualifications

• Medical Doctor or equivalent
• Board certified in General Surgery
• Graduate of an accredited Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship or equivalent
• Eligible for licensure in New Mexico
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Qualified for hire at Associate or Full Professor level

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in an academic medical center
• Formal leadership experience in an academic medical center
• A demonstrated commitment to research
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching
• Expertise in melanoma
• Expertise in sarcoma management
• A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities