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Palliative Care Division Chief
Department of Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) - Galveston, Texas

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is one of the leading research-intensive academic health centers in the nation, serving the population of Southeast Texas and the Houston Suburbs. UTMB Health is a $2.6 billion health science center comprised of four hospital campuses, an extensive network of outpatient clinics, and Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Public and Population Health, as well as a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, three institutes and over 10 exceptional research centers. UTMB has a long and remarkable history of advancing health sciences education, research, and patient care. UTMB also serves a vital role in serving the underserved populations of Texas, including providing specialty care to more than half of the State of Texas’ incarcerated population. UTMB was the first academic health center in Texas and home to the state’s first schools of medicine, nursing, and allied health sciences. The Galveston National Laboratory, one of only two laboratories conducting research on a university campus at the BSL-4 level in the U.S is located on UTMB’s Galveston campus. The Health Education Center, a 161,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, is dedicated to innovative interprofessional health and science education through cutting-edge simulation. For more information, visit https://www.utmb.edu/

Division Chief for Palliative Care: The UTMB Department of Medicine (DOM) is recruiting an energetic and visionary leader to build and develop a new Division of Palliative Care Medicine. Currently nested within Geriatrics, Palliative Care is poised for growth across our multi-hospital health system. In conjunction with our clinical partner, UTMB Health, there is a recognition and commitment to funding and growing Palliative Care to serve our rapidly growing health system. The current Palliative Care team consists of two Physicians, two Advanced Practice Providers, two Social Workers and a part-time Chaplain. With growth in the demand for Palliative Care from both a clinical and educational perspective, the new Division Chief will be provided with substantial resources to expand the Palliative Care Program and build a program of scholarship and/or research. The successful candidate will also be empowered and supported to launch a new Palliative Care Fellowship Program at UTMB.

UTMB Department of Medicine (DOM): The DOM is comprised of 12 Divisions including Palliative Care Medicine. The Department has more than 150 full-time faculty, 50 advanced practice providers, and more than 200 adjunct faculty working in the surrounding communities. The DOM includes approximately 97 residents and 87 fellows in more than a dozen specialty training programs. The DOM also has a diverse and robust research enterprise that reaches across the translational spectrum. From basic physiology, and cellular and molecular studies in humans, to interventional clinical trials, and disease outcome investigations. In the past fiscal year, the Department received almost $7 million in federal funding, and nearly $2.5 million sourced from other agencies.

Key Responsibilities of the Division Chief of Palliative Care:

• Has a clear vision for advancing the missions of the Division of Palliative Care
• Works with leadership to ensure excellent clinical care.
• Responsible for oversight of clinical services personnel, budgeting, scheduling, and program development.
• Integrates Divisional activities with community Hospice companies/providers.
• Leads regular multidisciplinary palliative care service meetings.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for education of trainees and mentoring of junior faculty.
• Works collaboratively with Health System leadership and administration to grow Palliative care services and programs at UTMB and in collaboration with its strategic partners.
• Fosters an environment of scholarship and inquiring.
• Commitment to building a palliative care fellowship program.

Duties and Essential Objectives:

• Understands the organizational landscape and can anticipate and articulate the critical issues, opportunities, and threats confronting the institution in the foreseeable future.
• Exhibits an appreciation for the need for, collaboration, planning, communication, and benchmarking of results in their approach to problem solving and program building.
• Understands the nuances of administering educational and academic activities.

Personal and Interpersonal Qualifications:

• A style that fosters and supports change and innovation, with an ability to collaborate and inspire action.
• Exhibits self-awareness, humility, and empathy in their interactions with others.
• Has the courage to act on convictions after adequate communication and gathering of facts and input.
• Exhibits optimism and a high energy level with an orientation toward innovation and action.
• Exhibits the values and behavior of a good citizen in their actions within the organization and at large.
• Encourages trust, transparency, and optimism and communicates naturally and effectively.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Position Qualifications:

• MD or equivalent degree with Board Certification in Palliative Care.
• Regional or National involvement with the palliative care community as evidenced by involvement in academic societies and a track record of sustained scholarship.
• Education, coursework, or equivalent experience in management of a clinical enterprise.
• Ability to obtain an unrestricted Texas state medical license.

Income Package:  UTMB offers highly competitive salaries combined with the low cost of living in the region. Salary will be commensurate with Academic rank, qualifications, experience, and educational background. In addition, UTMB offers a superior benefits package, an excellent retirement program, a relocation allowance as well as many other potential incentives.

Living in South Houston and Galveston, Texas: Galveston Island is home to approximately 50,000 residents and is known for its 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches, temperate climate, wide array of leisure and cultural activities, and affordable cost of living. Within a short drive to Houston, you will find one of the most culturally diverse and largest cities in the US with easy access to domestic and international airports, fine dining, major league sports, and a renowned cultural scene. More information about UTMB and Galveston can be found on the UTMB Living Website: http://www.utmb.edu/utmbliving/

Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter (no more than 2 pages) and a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) to, Skott Harrington at: saharrin@utmb.edu  and Michelle Roberts at: mirobert@utmb.edu

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or veteran status. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

About The University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) is a component of the University of Texas System located in Galveston, Texas, about 50 miles southeast of downtown Houston. As a major academic medical center, UTMB Health includes schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions and Graduate Biomedical Sciences; a robust research enterprise that attracts nearly $150 million in funding annually; a comprehensive inpatient care complex and Level 1 trauma center on Galveston Island; and an extensive network of campus- and community-based outpatient clinics. Its 12,000 employees work on the main campus in Galveston and at locations throughout East, Southeast and South Texas.

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