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Chair, The Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Chair, The Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
The Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) invites applications and nominations for the position of the Chair of The Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery. This is a distinguished leadership opportunity to guide one of Michigan's most prominent academic surgical departments, based in the heart of Detroit, and to serve as Surgeon-in-Chief at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC).
The Chair will report directly to the Dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and will lead the department's core mission of clinical excellence, education, and research. In addition to their role at WSUSOM, the Chair will hold key clinical and academic leadership responsibilities across a network of partner institutions, including serving as Surgeon-in-Chief at the DMC and overseeing surgical faculty at the Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center (VAMC).
This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary surgical leader to build on the legacy of a nationally recognized department, expand clinical programs, strengthen academic collaboration across institutions, and shape the next generation of surgical leaders in one of the nation's most diverse and medically underserved urban communities.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all academic, clinical, and administrative activities within the Department of Surgery.
• Serve as Surgeon-in-Chief at the DMC, working in partnership with hospital and system leadership to optimize surgical services and patient outcomes.
• Oversee and align surgical faculty efforts across WSUSOM, DMC, KCI, and the VAMC, fostering collaboration and excellence.
• Recruit, retain, and mentor a diverse and talented surgical faculty, with an emphasis on academic productivity, clinical impact, and community engagement.
• Promote and expand centers of excellence and interdisciplinary clinical programs.
• Advance the department's research mission, including basic, translational, clinical, and health services research.
• Strengthen graduate and postgraduate surgical education, ensuring a supportive and high-quality learning environment for medical students, residents, and fellows.
About the Institutions
Wayne State University School of Medicine, located in Midtown Detroit, is the largest single-campus medical school in the nation and a leader in urban health, biomedical research, and medical education.
The Detroit Medical Center is a leading academic medical center comprising several hospitals and serving as a primary clinical affiliate of Wayne State University School of Medicine. The Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of only 56 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center is a major hospital serving veterans across Southeast Michigan and is an important partner in the academic and clinical mission of the School of Medicine.
Application Process
Please upload your curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressed to Dr. Wael Sakr, Dean, WSU School of Medicine addressing vision, mission, and areas of interest.
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
• M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with board certification in a surgical specialty and eligibility for licensure in the State of Michigan.
• Distinguished academic surgeon with a strong clinical background and a national reputation for excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to build and expand clinical programs and centers of excellence.
• Proven record of recruiting and retaining top surgical faculty.
• Considerable experience navigating diverse healthcare systems and working with academic, community, and federal partners.
• Passion for urban health and improving care for underserved populations.
• Business acumen and operational experience, including budget oversight and strategic planning.
• Strong research credentials, with scholarly productivity and, ideally, extramural funding.
• Deep commitment to medical education and excellence in surgical training programs.
• Visionary leadership, with the capacity to unify faculty across multiple institutions and build a nationally recognized department.
• Rank/Tenure decision will be dependent on qualifications.
Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0615 - Surgery
Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Academic/Faculty

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Working conditions:
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1

Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.