Neurosurgery Chief for Spine (Associate/Full Professor) - Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School

The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston is seeking an accomplished academic leader to serve as Neurosurgery Division Chief for Spine. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of spine care delivery, education, and research within a leading academic medical center. The Division Chief will oversee clinical operations, faculty development, hospital partnerships, and educational programs, while advancing the division’s academic mission and strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Chair of the department, the Division Chief represents the division at the departmental, hospital, and university levels.

Position Key Accountabilities

• Clinical Excellence
  • Advance surgical spinal care by developing an innovative and thriving practice at Memorial Hermann Hospital system/UTHealth/McGovern Medical School.
  • Elevate the national and international reputation of the division; transform the program into a healthcare destination that attracts patients with simple and/or complex spinal pathologies.
• Clinical Leadership & Operations
  • Ensure excellence in patient care through oversight of high-quality, evidence-based spine services across all affiliated clinical sites.
  • Direct clinical operations of the division, including staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to maintain optimal clinical coverage and efficiency.
  • Develop and implement policies that promote safety, quality, and consistency in care delivery.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration with the spine orthopedic division, pain medicine, nursing, and other stakeholders.
  • There is the possibility of being considered later for the Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery.
• Faculty & Staff Development
  • Lead faculty recruitment and retention efforts in the division.
  • Lead the Fellowship program, recruit and mentor with the rest of the spine faculty, and high-caliber fellows in Spine.
  • Mentor and support faculty and trainees, providing career development and leadership growth while promoting academic productivity.
  • Conduct annual performance reviews for section members to ensure performance standards are met and support continuous improvement.
• Education & Research
  • Oversee and enhance education programs for medical students, residents, and fellows, ensuring alignment with institutional standards and accreditation requirements.
  • Promote research and scholarly initiatives, encouraging and supporting faculty research endeavors, and contributing to the advancement of spine care.
• Administration & Strategic Planning
  • Represent the division in hospital, university, and departmental committees and in strategic planning processes.
  • Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to achieve organizational goals and adapt to changes in healthcare needs.
  • Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency within the division.

Qualifications

• Texas Medical License or be eligible for a Texas Faculty Temporary License.
• MD with American Board of Certification in Neurological Surgery (ABNS), and fellowship training in Spine.
• Eligibility for medical licensure in the State of Texas.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic medicine, with a strong record of clinical excellence, teaching, research, and scholarly achievement.
• Title or experience commensurate with a rank of Associate Professor or Professor.

Leadership Qualities

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to set a clear strategic direction and inspire others to achieve shared goals.
• Collaborative Spirit: Skilled in building consensus and fostering partnerships across disciplines and institutions.
• Academic Excellence: A strong record of scholarly achievement and commitment to advancing the academic mission.
• Mentorship & Team Building: Proven success in mentoring faculty and cultivating a culture of inclusion, growth, and accountability.
• Operational Acumen: Experience managing complex clinical environments with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Adaptability & Innovation: Capacity to lead through change and drive innovation in response to evolving healthcare landscapes in Spine care.

Qualified applicants must demonstrate a commitment to excellence, discovery, and service, have the potential to be outstanding in their field of expertise, and share an interest in fulfilling the common goals of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.