Chair of the Department of Surgery

Job Details

University of Colorado Anschutz
Department: School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
Job Title: Chair of the Department of Surgery
Position #: 00657627 – Requisition #: 39090

Job Summary:

The Department is home to over 600 faculty, researchers, staff, and trainees, all dedicated to supporting the community, fostering a culture of collaboration, and developing specialists with exceptional knowledge, skills, and compassion to improve patient outcomes. As world-class leaders, the Department of Surgery merges rigorous clinical training with pioneering research and innovation.

Mission and Vision

To make a positive contribution to every person's life. Through care, curing, compassion, and hope, the department will improve the lives of patients, their families, department team members, the community, and the world.

The Department of Surgery performs 23,000+ annual OR cases and nearly 75,000 annual patient visits.

Divisions include:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• GI, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery
• Transplant Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Urology
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

Research

The Department demonstrates strong and consistent research productivity with robust, year-over-year funding and expanding clinical trial activity, underscoring its growing impact on translational and patient-centered research.

In 2024, the Department had 75+ research faculty and staff, was ranked #18 by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, up from #25 in 2021 and received $18M in new grant funding for the year. The Department has 128 active enrolling clinical trials and 31 active issued patents. The Department is supported by the Clinical Research Officer (CRO), an eight-member research support team.

Services include administration of the regulatory and financial components of the Surgery research portfolio. The CRO facilitates communication with the different offices in the University as well as reaching out to other institutions and sponsors and providing guidance to the Department on Federal, State, Sponsor, and University policies.

Education

The Department of Surgery offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum that blends rigorous academic training with hands-on clinical experience. The program emphasizes innovative surgical techniques, cutting-edge research, and compassionate patient care.

With a focus on mentorship and professional development, residents and fellows gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly evolving medical field.

The Department has 134 residents and fellows and has 19 Residency and Fellowship Programs.

Residency and Fellowship Programs include:

• APP Fellowship Program
• Pediatric Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
• Burn Surgery Fellowship
• Pediatric Urology Fellowship
• Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency
• Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship
• Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
• ECMO/MCS Fellowship Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
• General Surgery Residency Transplant Surgery Fellowship
• Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
• Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship
• Microsurgery Fellowship Urology Residency
• Pediatric Colorectal Surgery Fellowship
• Vascular Surgery Fellowship
• Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
• Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency

The Department of Surgery utilizes a state-of-the-art facility, Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI), designed to support first-class training that brings advanced methods and innovative surgical technology into operating rooms around the world.

For additional information, please see: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the leadership of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, provide visionary and innovative leadership to lead the Department into the next phase of growth and development.
• Recruit, hire, and retain outstanding faculty and departmental leaders from a broad range of backgrounds. Ensure an atmosphere of respect, professional support, and development for all stakeholders.
• Support the goal of recognizing the value of all employees, embracing varied perspectives and experiences, and contributing to a positive, collaborative culture that engenders a commitment to the organization's success.
• Ensure a deliberate and priority-driven investment into research, educational, and clinical activities for the Department and institution.
• Provide the vision and leadership to achieve superior clinical programs within surgery and related disciplines. Work with other leaders at the University of Colorado to build and grow areas of acknowledged clinical excellence.
• Define and lead the research strategy, supporting principal investigators and other faculty within the Department in efforts to secure NIH and other grant funding, and ensuring deliberate investment into research activities and priorities to promote growth and facilitate future success.
• Ensure delivery of excellent clinical education and advanced training to medical students, residents, and fellows. Provide leadership and oversight to the residency and fellowship programs within the Department and ensure learners are receiving comprehensive training and development opportunities.
• Supervise, prepare, implement, and monitor the budget so that it encompasses all funding sources and complies with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado's health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado - which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training.

The campus conducts world-renowned research supported by $910 million in funding, including $757 million in sponsored awards and $153 million in philanthropic gifts for research. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility serving 4,500 students, and a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 40 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• M.D. or D.O., and Board Certification in Surgery
• Service as a chair, vice chair, division chief, or in a similar executive role with a record of developing clinical and scholastic programs
• A record of scholarly academic accomplishments as reflected in number and impact of publications, history of successful funding, and serving in national and international societies.
• Recruitment and development of physicians, coupled with demonstrated success in mentorship and the demonstrated enthusiasm and ability to identify, recruit, and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds across all roles
• Success managing complex clinical programs focused on access, quality, patient satisfaction, and provider support. Experience managing budgets and providing financial oversight

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating environments that encourage mutual respect, understanding, and active participation from all members and the community.
• Experience working across health systems or within integrated care models, with a focus on collaboration among hospitals, outpatient settings, and community partners.
• Demonstrated experience implementing evidence-based practices and advancing clinical innovations that improve patient outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The highest integrity and personal ethics.
• A commitment to service within the community.
• Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong organizational and process management skills.
• A commitment to listening and responding to the Department members and their needs.
• An ability to prioritize the interests of the Department above one's own interest.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Mark Couch at Mark.Couch@CUAnschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by 8/31/2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE: $400,000-$1,150,000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.