Academic Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

UMass Memorial Medical Center, the clinical partner of the UMass Chan Medical School, seeks a

dynamic, collaborative, and visionary academic leader

to serve as the

Chief of the Division of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics & Gynecology (ASGOG) . The Division Chief will report directly to Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, MHCM, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Candidates must be board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, actively practicing and providing clinical care in obstetrics and gynecology, and demonstrate excellence in clinical practice, leadership, mentorship, education, quality improvement, scholarship, and administrative achievement. The Chief will lead one of the largest and most diverse divisions within the Department, overseeing academic specialist faculty, while ensuring high-quality clinical care, advancing educational programs, promoting scholarship, and fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and professional excellence. Our department seeks candidates who will contribute to a culture of racial equity, inclusivity, and belonging through their leadership, mentorship, clinical work, and scholarship. Individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Division Highlights The largest division in the Department, including academic specialists in general obstetrics and gynecology, family planning specialists, complex benign gynecology/minimally invasive gynecologic surgery specialists, pediatric and adolescent gynecology specialists, and advanced practice clinicians.

Broad clinical footprint across ambulatory, inpatient, surgical, and community practice locations.

Clinical and educational leadership of core services including inpatient obstetrics, ambulatory obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic surgery, family planning services, and complex contraception.

Strong partnerships with the residency and medical school educational programs.

Deep engagement in quality and safety initiatives, multidisciplinary care, and continuous clinical improvement.

Responsibilities: Leadership & Administration Serve as the academic and clinical leader of the ASGOG Division, responsible for strategic direction, operational oversight, and faculty development.

Provide visionary leadership with strong clinical, business, and marketing acumen, bringing an understanding of strategic growth, workforce development, and service-line expansion.

Lead recruitment, onboarding, mentorship, retention, and performance evaluation of physician and advanced practice clinician faculty.

Foster a culture of excellence, professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and psychological safety across all clinical sites.

Develop and implement strategic plans aligned with the Department's mission, vision, and values.

Actively monitor, evaluate, translate, adopt and evolve national trends, regulatory changes, and best practices ensuring the division is innovative and competitive by maintaining or implementing where appropriate.

Work collaboratively with Chair Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas, Vice Chair of Clinical Services Dr. Erica Smith, and VP/Chief Administrative Officer Alyscia Grant to ensure the financial stability of the division including through appropriate resource allocation and fiscal stewardship.

Clinical Oversight Oversee and support high-quality clinical care across ambulatory practices, inpatient units, operating rooms, and community locations.

Partner with obstetric, gynecologic, surgical, family planning, and inpatient obstetric leaders to optimize patient flow, access, and clinical performance.

Support development and expansion of clinical operations and outreach programs, in line with departmental goals.

Where relevant, oversee or collaborate with specialty sections such as Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Complex Family Planning, and Complex Benign Gynecology/Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, and other subspecialty divisions including Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Urogynecology.

Education & Mentorship Support and guide faculty who serve in educational leadership roles, including residency and clerkship directors, continuity clinic directors, and core teaching faculty.

Promote an exceptional teaching environment for medical students, residents, and fellows-modeling best practices in learner supervision, bedside teaching, and skill development.

Foster and evaluate faculty development in academic promotion, teaching excellence, leadership, and professional growth, in partnership with the Vice Chair of Academic Affairs Dr. Kristen Matteson.

Support integration of innovative educational strategies and curricula.

Institutional & External Partnerships Strengthen relationships across UMass Memorial Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial Medical Group, UMass Chan Medical School, community practices, and regional partners.

Provide strategic leadership for growth and expansion of clinical operations and outreach programs across Central Massachusetts.

Represent the division within institutional committees and national organizations.

Serve as an ambassador for the division and department in state and national settings.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Highlights Comprehensive academic department with divisions of academic specialists, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, reproductive endocrinology & infertility, and fellowships in MFM and Urogynecology.

A robust OB-GYN residency program (6 per year) and strong medical school teaching environment.

Inpatient obstetrics center serving as the major regional referral center with over 5,000 annual deliveries.

Active perinatal quality engagement through the Massachusetts' Perinatal and Neonatal Quality Improvement Network (PNQIN) and internal multidisciplinary initiatives.

Highly collegial, inclusive academic environment with strong support for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications (Expanded & Integrated) Board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Actively practicing and providing clinical care in obstetrics and gynecology

Eligibility for faculty appointment at UMass Chan Medical School at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.

Demonstrated leadership experience in academic medicine, clinical program development, medical education, and/or health system operations.

Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Excellent communication, organizational, and team-building skills.

Track record of outstanding clinical care and collaborative leadership.

Evidence of individual scholarship, program development, educational excellence, and faculty mentorship.

Ability to recruit, develop, and manage faculty and staff across the clinical, education, and research missions.

Knowledge and experience navigating complex academic health systems.