Chief of Surgery (New York)

Position Overview

Chief of Surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. The hospital is a 268‑bed safety net hospital in Central Harlem, offering a broad array of services and recognized as an Area‑Wide Burn Center and Level II Trauma Center.

The Chief will provide strategic, clinical, academic, and operational leadership for a large multi‑specialty Department of Surgery, comprising more than 80 surgeons, advanced practice providers, and support staff. The role involves advancing excellence in patient care, medical education, research, quality, and innovation.

Opportunity Details

Departmental Leadership

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Department of Surgery, including clinical operations, education, research, and faculty development.
• Provide oversight across multiple surgical divisions: Emergency General Surgery, Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Breast Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, Pediatric Surgery, Hand and Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Ophthalmology.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Strategic and Operational Management

• Direct departmental strategic planning, budgeting, capital planning, resource allocation, and operational performance.
• Partner with chiefs of service, nursing leadership, and administrative teams to achieve organizational objectives and optimize service line performance.
• Develop initiatives that enhance clinical efficiency, patient outcomes, access to care, and financial sustainability.

Education and Academic Programs

• Ensure excellence in graduate and continuing medical education programs.
• Oversee the ACGME‑accredited General Surgery Residency Program, including three categorical residents per year and eight preliminary residency positions.
• Support and strengthen the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program and educational experiences for rotating residents in Urology, Orthopedics, and Otolaryngology.
• Promote faculty engagement in teaching, scholarship, and academic advancement.

Clinical Program Development

• Lead the growth and advancement of innovative surgical services, including robotic, minimally invasive, and hybrid approaches to complex surgical disease.
• Support clinical research initiatives and the adoption of evidence‑based surgical practices.
• Identify opportunities to expand programs and strengthen the department's regional reputation.

Health System Leadership

• Serve as a key member of hospital and health system leadership teams.
• Represent the Department of Surgery on institutional committees and enterprise‑wide initiatives.
• Collaborate across disciplines to support organizational growth, quality, safety, and patient‑centered care.

Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, and accreditation requirements, as well as hospital policies and procedures.
• Champion patient safety, quality improvement, and performance excellence initiatives.
• Promote effective communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, and a culture of high reliability throughout the department.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an accomplished surgical leader with demonstrated expertise in departmental administration, physician leadership, academic medicine, clinical program development, and strategic planning. They will possess a strong commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and quality and innovation while fostering a collaborative and high‑performing surgical culture.

Qualifications

• Board Certification in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery.
• Active and unrestricted New York State physician license.
• Active DEA registration.
• Demonstrated experience in departmental leadership and oversight of clinical operations, education, research, budgeting, and personnel.
• Proven track record of mentoring faculty, medical education, and strategic departmental growth.
• Experience in managing surgical quality improvement initiatives and clinical excellence programs (e.g., NSQIP, STS, UNOS, VQUI).
• Strong communication, collaboration, and change‑management skills aligned with institutional goals.
• Commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in both clinical and academic settings.

Wages and Benefits

Annual base salary: $480,000 (based on a 40‑hour work week).

The annual total value of the compensation package is estimated at $556,000, which includes the baseline salary, 401(k) contribution, and other factors as set forth below.

• Projected bonus of up to $40,000 (based on previous year's average), contingent upon meeting quality and productivity targets.
• 401(k) company contribution (subject to IRS limits):
  • Employees are immediately vested in a 3% company contribution of base earnings. No employee match is required.
  • After one year of service, employees receive an additional 7% company contribution of base earnings. No employee match is required.
• Annual continuing medical education (CME) reimbursement.
• Generous annual paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, holiday, and CME days.
• Medical, prescription, and dental coverage: top‑tier plans with employee contributions significantly below market rates.
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage: equal to 2x salary (up to a maximum of $300,000) provided at no cost. Additional employee‑paid voluntary life and AD&D coverage is available for you and your family.
• Medical malpractice coverage (equivalent to occurrence‑based): provided at no cost to the employee.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• Pre‑tax employee‑paid contributions for commuting expenses.

EEO Statement

Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to equitable hiring practices and a supportive workplace. All candidates are considered based on their individual qualifications, potential, and experience.