CHAIR & DEO, ORTHOPEDICS AND REHABILITATION

CHAIR & DEO, ORTHOPEDICS AND REHABILITATIONRequisition # 75775Position Basics

Type of Position TENURE-TRACK/CLINICAL Advertising Ends on: Extended Until Position is Filled Advertising Started on: Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 College: Carver College of Medicine Department: Medicine Administration
Salary

Salary: Commensurate
Position Details

Full/Part Time Status: Full Time Position Description:

University of Iowa Health Care is seeking its next Chair and Department Executive Officer (Chair/DEO) for the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a nationally recognized department within one of the largest university-owned teaching hospitals in the United States. University of Iowa Health Care represents the integrated healthcare enterprise of the University of Iowa, encompassing the UI Health Care Clinical Enterprise, the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, and University of Iowa Physicians. Our faculty and staff are at the forefront of biomedical research, driving breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, stroke, genetic disorders, and more. Through our educational mission, we train the next generation of global leaders in patient care, research, and medical education.

The Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, located within the Carver College of Medicine-one of the nation's top public medical schools-has a distinguished legacy in clinical care, research, and education. Our faculty are highly engaged at the local, regional, and national levels, with many holding leadership roles in prominent professional organizations. The department is internationally recognized for delivering comprehensive surgical and rehabilitation services to patients of all ages. In 2025, UI Health Care opened UI Medical Center - North Liberty, a state-of-the-art orthopedic-focused hospital featuring 12 operating rooms, 36 inpatient beds, and 86 outpatient clinic rooms. While most faculty are based at this new facility, we also maintain clinical sites at the Iowa Rehabilitation Hospital, the main medical campus in Iowa City, and the Iowa City VA Medical Center. As we settle into our beautiful new facility, the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation is poised for exciting growth and continued advancement of our core missions. This is a unique opportunity to join and lead a forward-thinking team expanding its impact in healthcare, research, and education-all within a space designed to foster collaboration, innovation and patient centered care.

The department is home to:

• 59 primary faculty, 9 secondary faculty
• 33 athletic trainers, 43 advanced practice providers
• 74 nursing professionals, 37 research experts, and 72 support staff
• 35 residents and 6 fellows

Our faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized leaders across multiple subspecialties. The department has a strong tradition of leadership in our major organizations, including four past presidents of the AAOS, three past presidents of the ABOS and two other members of the ABOS Board of Directors and four past presidents of the AOA.

We have enjoyed a longstanding reputation for excellence in resident education and our residency program is expanding to six residents per year with 35 total residents trained. The program was ranked 10th in the country by Doximity in 2025.

Basic research in our department spans molecular, cellular, and matrix biology of bone, cartilage, and connective tissues-advancing understanding of posttraumatic osteoarthritis, skeletal deformities, and musculoskeletal disorders. Our bone healing laboratory includes state-of-the-art animal research capabilities that support industry-funded and investigator-initiated research, alike. The orthopedic biomechanics laboratory is a global leader in studying the mechanics of the musculoskeletal system, contributing to innovations in joint replacement, fracture fixation, and methods to measure mechanical forces related to joint wear and osteoarthritis. We have had continuous NIH support for the past 29 years, supplemented generously by DoD funding over the past decade, with $2.1 million overall in external funding secured in FY24.

The University of Iowa has retained Spencer Stuart - a national executive search firm - to assist with the search. Inquiries and applications may be submitted via email to Wesley Yampolsky (View email address on click.appcast.io)

UI Administrative Contact: Sasha Alexander, Executive Recruitment Liaison (View email address on click.appcast.io)

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

Required Qualifications:

Required qualifications for the candidate are as follows:

• National recognition for achievement in clinical, educational and/or research pursuits that would warrant a tenured appointment.
• Certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and licensure or eligibility for licensure in the state of Iowa.
• A minimum of ten years of demonstrated academic and/or clinical achievement in a large volume, high-performing, contemporary department with comparable complexity to the University of Iowa Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.
• Must be an active clinical surgeon.
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent financial acumen.
• Demonstrated leadership as a creative and accomplished administrator who understands the changing healthcare environment and the complexities of clinical operations.
• Experience with building and leading new programs.
• Experience with educating trainees at various levels.
• Must have experience with developing research infrastructure and securing extramural funding.
• Must have the ability to provide surgical expertise and leadership across the larger institution of University of Iowa Health Care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective strategies for working with faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• A forward-looking outgoing style that will facilitate growth of the department through recruiting, community engagement, and development of innovative clinical programs.

Desirable Qualifications:

Desirable qualifications include:

• An open and direct communication style with a collegial presence that encourages consensus building, collaboration, and cooperation to both foster and maintain strong relationships.
• Comfortable in the public domain with the ability to engage the community through philanthropy to support education, research, clinical and service missions.
• A leadership style that assists others before oneself and holds others accountable to agreed upon objectives.
• A strong advocate for the department who negotiates well across all levels of the organization to support the department's objectives.

Online Application Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.

Contact Information

Contact: Sasha N Alexander - View email address on click.appcast.io
Cmed-Medicine Administration
College of Medicine Administration Building
451 Newton Road
216 CMAB
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.

Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at View phone number on click.appcast.io.