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Division Chief of Rheumatology
Department of Internal Medicine
John Sealy School of Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas
 

The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch seeks a Division Chief of Rheumatology to lead a clinical and academic division serving Southeast Texas through UTMB's growing multi-campus health system. The successful candidate will oversee clinical operations across multiple sites, direct an ACGME-accredited fellowship program, develop the division's research portfolio, and collaborate with departmental leadership to advance the tripartite mission of patient care, education, and investigation.

This position reports to Dr. Salim Hayek, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. The Division Chief will work closely with hospital leadership, fellow division chiefs, and interdisciplinary colleagues to position the division as a regional referral center for rheumatic diseases and autoimmune disorders.
 

UTMB is a $3.5 billion academic health center established in 1891 as Texas's first medical school, comprising Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Public and Population Health, and a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. With $168 million in sponsored research awards, UTMB ranks 52nd nationally in NIH funding among medical schools and stands in the top 2 percent of institutions
receiving NIH support.

The institution operates four hospital campuses (Galveston, Clear Lake, League City, Angleton-Danbury) with over 1000 beds and more than 90 clinics serving a population exceeding 1.8 million across Southeast Texas. UTMB is the only academic health science center south of Houston and serves as the Level I Trauma Center for a nine-county region. Clinical strengths include quaternary care capabilities, comprehensive burn care through partnership with Shriners Hospital for Children, transplant services, and specialty medical care for a substantial portion of Texas's incarcerated population through the TDCJ Hospital partnership. The main Galveston campus includes Jennie Sealy Hospital (310 patient rooms
with 60 dedicated ICU beds, completed 2016) and John Sealy Hospital, along with the verified burn center and the 172-bed Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital.

UTMB houses the Galveston National Laboratory, one of two BSL-4 biocontainment facilities on a U.S. university campus, and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development. Research strengths include nationally recognized programs in microbiology and immunology, infectious diseases, anesthesiology critical care, and translational sciences. The institution recently established the Moody Brain Health Institute with a $25 million philanthropic commitment. UTMB is a member of the Houston-based Texas Medical Center and benefits from philanthropic support exceeding $50 million annually, including substantial backing from the Sealy & Smith Foundation.
 

The Department of Internal Medicine is the largest department within UTMB's John Sealy School of Medicine, encompassing multiple divisions including Allergy and Immunology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, General Medicine, Geriatrics, Infectious Disease, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Nephrology, Palliative Care, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, and Rheumatology. The department operates a categorical Internal Medicine residency program with approximately 32 positions per cycle, as well as a distinctive combined Aerospace/Internal Medicine residency in partnership with NASA-the only program of its kind in the United States.

Under the leadership of Dr. Hayek, who joined UTMB in 2024 from the University of Michigan, the department emphasizes data-driven strategies, precision medicine, and integration of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence into clinical operations. The department's mission encompasses excellence in patient care, robust training programs, and expansion of research activities
across basic, translational, and clinical domains.
 

The Division of Rheumatology currently includes faculty with expertise spanning the subspecialty's clinical and research domains. Division programs include: 

Comprehensive Clinical Services - The division provides consultative and longitudinal care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, systemic vasculitis, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory myopathies, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, and giant cell arteritis across multiple clinical sites

Multi-Site Clinical Operations - Rheumatology clinics operate in Galveston and League City, with opportunities to expand services to Clear Lake and Angleton-Danbury campuses to meet growing demand for subspecialty care across Southeast Texas

TDCJ Rheumatology Clinic - Faculty provide specialized rheumatologic care to the incarcerated population at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital, contributing to a unique mission of delivering academic medicine to an underserved patient population

Interdisciplinary Collaboration - The division collaborates with nephrology (glomerulonephritis), endocrinology (bone health), dermatology, neurology, orthopedics, and other specialties, offering fellows exposure to comprehensive interdisciplinary care models

The division operates an ACGME-accredited two-year Rheumatology that participates in the National Resident Matching Program. The program traditionally admits one to two fellows annually, with plans to expand to accommodate additional positions as the faculty base grows. Fellows receive comprehensive training in outpatient rheumatology, consultative services, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and subspecialty clinics, with opportunities for scholarly activity and research mentorship. The fellowship's two-year structure provides first-year fellows with intensive clinical training across Galveston and League City sites, while second-year fellows transition into leadership roles with expanded elective opportunities in related subspecialties.
 

Clinical Leadership
Provide strategic direction for clinical operations across UTMB's multi-campus system, with particular attention to expanding access to subspecialty rheumatology services in Clear Lake, League City, and Angleton-Danbury
Recruit, mentor, and retain clinical faculty to support service line growth and ensure sustainable coverage for consultative services and multidisciplinary clinics
Collaborate with hospital leadership, primary care networks, and specialty services to optimize referral pathways and consultative services for complex rheumatic diseases
Maintain an active clinical practice in rheumatology appropriate to academic rank and administrative responsibilities.

Educational Leadership
Oversee the ACGME-accredited Rheumatology Fellowship, ensuring compliance with program requirements, supporting fellow recruitment, and maintaining match competitiveness
Direct subspecialty education for Internal Medicine residents rotating through rheumatology services, coordinating didactic conferences, bedside teaching, and procedural instruction including joint examinations and arthrocentesis
Foster faculty development in clinical teaching and provide mentorship for junior faculty pursuing academic promotion 

Research and Scholarship
Develop the division's research portfolio through identification of collaborative opportunities, mentorship of faculty investigators, and pursuit of extramural funding
Leverage UTMB's research infrastructure, including strengths in immunology, infectious diseases, and translational sciences, to advance investigation in autoimmune disease mechanisms, novel therapeutics, or health services research
Support quality improvement initiatives, outcomes research, and scholarly activity among fellows and faculty, fostering a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based practice

Administrative and Strategic Responsibilities
Manage division budget, optimize resource allocation, and work with departmental leadership on revenue cycle performance and payer contracting
Participate in departmental strategic planning, faculty recruitment, and institutional committees as
assigned
Collaborate with nursing leadership, pharmacy, infusion services, and allied health professionals to ensure high-quality, team-based care delivery including management of biologic therapies and immunosuppressive agents
Foster relationships with regional referral networks, community physicians, and healthcare systems to enhance UTMB's role as the academic medical center for Southeast Texas
 

Minimum Qualifications
MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
Board certification in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (or equivalent)
Eligibility for medical licensure in Texas
Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor at an accredited medical school, or qualifications consistent with appointment at this level at UTMB
Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical program development, education, or research
Track record of effective collaboration with administrative, clinical, and academic colleagues

Valued Experience
Experience in multi-site or health system operations
Advanced training or expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound, inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue diseases, or vasculitis
Record of extramural funding from NIH, foundations, or industry sponsors
Leadership roles in fellowship or residency education, including program director or associate program director experience
Involvement in professional societies, editorial boards, or national committees relevant to rheumatology
Experience with value-based care models, quality metrics, or population health initiatives
Leadership development through participation in structured programs such as leadership academies, executive education, or formal management and communication workshops
 

Compensation for this position follows the Department of Internal Medicine Leader Compensation Plan and is benchmarked to the AAMC Faculty Salary Survey data aligned by academic rank. Total compensation includes a competitive base salary plus an at-risk leadership incentive tied to mutually agreed-upon annual performance goals across strategic priorities. A detailed Memorandum of Understanding will specify compensation structure, effort allocation, and performance expectations upon appointment. 

The Division Chief will have access to divisional administrative support, participation in departmental strategic planning, and institutional resources for faculty development. Protected time for research or scholarly activity may be negotiated based on investigative portfolio and grant support. Startup funding for research may be available depending on the candidate's research program and institutional priorities.

UTMB offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions
to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas or Optional Retirement Program, and professional
development support.
 

Galveston Island (population approximately 50,000) is located 30 miles south of Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city. The island offers Gulf Coast beaches, extensive water recreation opportunities, temperate climate, and historic charm. The region provides notably lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan markets while maintaining proximity to Houston's world-class amenities. 

Houston provides comprehensive cultural and recreational resources including professional sports (Astros, Texans, Rockets), performing arts venues, the Museum District, diverse international dining, and extensive shopping. The region offers excellent outdoor recreation with beach access, fishing, and sailing, along with strong public and private school options. The Texas Medical Center's proximity facilitates academic collaboration and professional networking. 

Major airports (Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental) provide convenient access for national and international travel, supporting both professional engagement and personal connections.

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application package including:
Curriculum vitae with complete bibliography

Leadership statement (2-3 pages) addressing:
o Relevant experience in building rheumatology programs, developing subspecialty clinics, or expanding access to care for patients with rheumatic diseases
o Specific approach to expanding the rheumatology fellowship program and developing clinical services across UTMB's multi-campus system
o Vision for building research activities in autoimmune diseases or musculoskeletal disorders and strategy for securing extramural funding
o Philosophy on faculty recruitment, development, and retention in competitive markets
o Leadership approach to managing the tripartite academic mission (clinical, research, education) and creating sustainable, equitable faculty workload models
o Key institutional resources or support needed for success in this role

Three professional references with current contact information (letters will be requested at appropriate stage)
 

Submit application materials to:
Brittany Belew
Business Operations Manager
brbelew@utmb.edu

Initial inquiries are treated confidentially. Formal reference checks and finalist interviews will be conducted only with candidate's explicit permission.

SALARY:
Commensurate with experience.