Internal Medicine Department Academic Chair

INTERNAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Dignity Health Medical Group, Arizona (DHMG-AZ) is actively seeking a highly experienced academic physician leader to serve as Chair for the Department of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. We are searching for a well-rounded and collaborative clinician with proven administrative experience and a strong passion for research, teaching, and community outreach. The candidate will be comfortable in initiating and managing relationships with faculty, along with developing and maintaining positive relationships with organizational and community leaders.

The Department Chair will be primarily accountable for the overall success of the DHMG-AZ Department of Medicine by improving the quality of clinical care, education and scholarship. This individual will also be responsible for collaborating with the DHMG-AZ leadership to strategically plan the future growth and development of the Department, the healthcare service lines within the Department, and the implementation of educational programs. Additionally, this individual will serve as the liaison for quality and cost effective initiatives between the Dignity Health Medical Group and Dignity Health Arizona.

The DHMG-AZ Department of Medicine includes 78 physicians, 16 advanced practitioners, and is integrally involved in the academic infrastructure across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Within the department, there are 8 Divisions including Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, General Internal Medicine, Hospitalist, Infectious Disease, and Palliative/Pain. The physician leaders of these Divisions will report directly to the Chair. The geographic footprint of the Department of Medicine stretches across the Phoenix metropolitan area, covering ambulatory and hospital services in Phoenix, Chandler, and Gilbert.

In collaboration with Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix, as Co-Academic Chair, this physician will support the following medical education programs:

• Internal Medicine Residency Program, 96 residents
• Gastroenterology Fellowship, 6 fellows
• Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 12 fellows
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, 1 fellow  
• Student rotations, including M3 clerkship, M4 electives, PA student rotations

In collaboration with the Dignity Health East Valley (DHEV) hospitals (Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center), as Academic Chair, this physician will support the following medical education programs:

• Internal Medicine Residency Program, anticipating 39 residents
• Student rotations 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Functions as a senior physician leader within DHMG-AZ
• Fosters a collaborative model of practice to promote the growth and success of the Dignity Health Medical Group as a whole
• Works within the team to develop and implement quality metrics for the department, appropriate financial incentives, practice guidelines, and strategic plans for growth across service lines
• Collaborates with academic leaders to develop and implement educational programs  to benefit the faculty and learners across Creighton and DHEV. 
• Mentors physicians and APPs within Department, including regular evaluations, providing feedback for improvement, and enhancing their professional development
• Clinically active physician who models the practice of evidence-based medicine and superior patient experience skills
• Strives to be a servant leader who exemplifies mission-appropriate excellence, supports professional growth of the members of the department, and promotes a culture aligned with the mission statements of CommonSpirit, Dignity Health, and Creighton University School of Medicine. 
• Publishes and nurtures publications with the department in order to advance academic and evidence-based practices
• Perform such other reasonable duties as may be assigned from time to time

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

This position directly reports to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dignity Health Medical Group, Arizona for medical group activities. In addition, reports to the Regional Dean, Creighton University School of Medicine on academic related matters. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• MD Degree and Active Board Certification or Board Eligible
• Must have Arizona State medical licensure
• Completed ACGME Residency training
• Proven physician leadership experience
• Clinical responsibilities within the previous 5 years
• Ability to achieve full and unrestricted hospital privileges at Dignity Health Arizona hospitals
• Is a team-oriented physician who is passionate about providing quality care and furthering the healing ministry, while serving the poor and underprivileged
• Qualify and secure an academic appointment with the Creighton University School of Medicine. 

EEO

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Full-time employed physician leadership position
• Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience
• DHMG is a physician-led, clinically integrated, academic medical group
• Competitive salary, benefits & a matched 403B retirement package inclusive of an employer funded pension plan
• Sign-on bonus and relocation
• CME benefits

COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS:

CommonSpirit Health is the largest non-profit, mission-driven healthcare system in the country. It was formed by the merger of Dignity Health and Catholic Healthcare Initiative (CHI) in 2019, and spans across 24 states. With a unified vision of becoming an organization where physicians, care teams and staff come to do their best work--and patients come for the best care--Dignity Health Medical Group is searching for exceptional talent, who can become a part of our patient-focused, team-oriented, mission-driven organization.

Dignity Health Medical Group - Arizona is the employed physician group serving the Arizona Service Area. Covering over 45 practice sites, complementing clinical services with translational and bench research, our integrated medical group employs in excess of 300 healthcare providers throughout the valley. Dignity Health Medical Group is continuously expanding in order to meet the needs of the growing patient population in Arizona. 

HOSPITALS:

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is a 571-bed, not-for-profit hospital located in Phoenix, Arizona, that provides a wide range of health, social and support services.  Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph's was the first hospital in the Phoenix area, is the flagship hospital of Dignity Health, and a member of CommonSpirit Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in the US. More than 125 years later, St. Joseph's remains dedicated to its mission of caring for the poor and underserved.

Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center is a full-service, acute care hospital with 197 beds, located in the East Valley of metropolitan Phoenix. The not-for-profit hospital includes approximately 1,400 employees and more than 1,000 physicians representing all major specialties. Its campus is expanding with the development of the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion - a joint project between Mercy Gilbert and Phoenix Children’s. 

Chandler Regional Medical Center is a full-service, 429-bed acute-care and trauma level 1 hospital, with approximately 78,000 emergency department and 5,000 trauma activations annually. It is a primary stroke center, has cardiovascular and cardiac surgery services, and neurosurgery. Combined, our East Valley facilities deliver over 7,000 babies/year with growth anticipated with the opening of the Women and Children’s Pavilion.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Dignity Health Medical Group is an affiliate member of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, giving Creighton learners in Phoenix access to state-of-the-art facilities with knowledgeable practitioners. Through the partnership, Creighton residents, fellows and students gain essential patient-care experience in prominent Phoenix facilities from world-class faculty.  Creighton University opened their Phoenix Health Science Campus in 2021 with a full Phoenix presence including a four-year medical school, accelerated nursing program, doctor of pharmacy program, doctor of occupational therapy, doctor of physical therapy, and master of physician assistant studies, just next door to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center campus. This expansion will ensure that Arizona—and DHMG—are doing their part to contribute to top-notch training of future medical professionals. Dignity Health Medical Group employs the faculty for the newly created community graduate medical education programs in Chandler and Gilbert. The programs include internal medicine, family medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, and OBGYN residencies. 

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

Like its legendary namesake rising out of the ashes, the greater Phoenix area has emerged as one of the bright metropolitan areas of the 21st century. Known as the Valley of the Sun, the Phoenix area encompasses more than 20 incorporated cities, including Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa.Recently, the Census Bureau named Arizona’s Maricopa County, which includes the greater Phoenix metro area, the county with the nation’s highest annual population growth. Home to more than 4 million residents where everyone has a sunny disposition, the Phoenix area also ranks as the fifth-largest city in the United States. Phoenix is a premier destination offering the best of both worlds: a growing and diverse economy and a great place to live with more than 300 sun-filled days a year and an almost endless supply of attractions including:

• 187 city parks, 41,000 acres of desert preserves, and 200 miles of trails
• 3 major professional sports teams including the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), the Arizona Cardinals (NFL) and the Phoenix Suns (NBA)
• Host to MLB Spring Training Cactus League and the annual Fiesta Bowl
• Home of the “Phoenix Open” and 185 golf courses
• Host to 10 Fortune 500 company headquarters
• The “Best Mexican Food North of the Border”
• A family-friendly area, with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, ample youth sports and athletic leagues, the Challenger Space Center Arizona, a wide variety of school options, including public, private, magnet, and charter, the Phoenix Zoo, large water parks, SEA LIFE Arizona, and many more!

The Phoenix area is also a destination for people from all over the world to receive outstanding healthcare.  This is particularly true of Dignity Health’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center – home to the world-renown Barrow Neurological Institute and The Norton Thoracic Institute - #1 lung transplant program in the U.S. - as well as many other world-class healthcare services and teaching programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Functions as a senior physician leader within DHMG-AZ
• Fosters a collaborative model of practice to promote the growth and success of the Dignity Health Medical Group as a whole
• Works within the team to develop and implement quality metrics for the department, appropriate financial incentives, practice guidelines, and strategic plans for growth across service lines
• Collaborates with academic leaders to develop and implement educational programs  to benefit the faculty and learners across Creighton and DHEV. 
• Mentors physicians and APPs within Department, including regular evaluations, providing feedback for improvement, and enhancing their professional development
• Clinically active physician who models the practice of evidence-based medicine and superior patient experience skills
• Strives to be a servant leader who exemplifies mission-appropriate excellence, supports professional growth of the members of the department, and promotes a culture aligned with the mission statements of CommonSpirit, Dignity Health, and Creighton University School of Medicine. 
• Publishes and nurtures publications with the department in order to advance academic and evidence-based practices
• Perform such other reasonable duties as may be assigned from time to time

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• MD Degree and Active Board Certification or Board Eligible
• Must have Arizona State medical licensure
• Completed ACGME Residency training
• Proven physician leadership experience
• Clinical responsibilities within the previous 5 years
• Ability to achieve full and unrestricted hospital privileges at Dignity Health Arizona hospitals
• Is a team-oriented physician who is passionate about providing quality care and furthering the healing ministry, while serving the poor and underprivileged
• Qualify and secure an academic appointment with the Creighton University School of Medicine. 

Depending on the position offered, CommonSpirit Health offers a generous benefit package, including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision plans, life insurance, paid time off (full-time benefit eligible employees may receive a minimum of 14 paid time off days, including holidays annually), tuition reimbursement, retirement plan benefit(s) including, but not limited to, 401(k), 403(b), and other defined benefits offerings, as may be amended from time to time. For more information, please visit https://www.commonspirit.careers/benefits.

Unless directed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis. CommonSpirit Health cannot anticipate the date by which a successful candidate may be identified.