Nemours Children's Health is seeking a strategic and collaborative physician leader to serve as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in Jacksonville, Florida. The successful candidate will bring a minimum of 7-10 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience and a demonstrated record of advancing clinical excellence, quality and safety, research, education, and physician engagement, and innovative approaches that support Whole Child Health. Candidates must be eligible for an unrestricted Florida medical license and DEA registration and possess a strong understanding of applicable national, state, and local regulatory requirements. Board certification in a pediatric specialty is preferred.
About the Position
The Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is responsible for providing physician leadership across all Jacksonville locations while working collaboratively with the site vice president of operations, chief nursing officer, regional president, and other senior leaders. The CMO plays a critical role in advancing strategic priorities, academic initiatives, quality and safety programs, physician recruitment and engagement, and evidence-based care delivery. This position provides senior executive and physician leadership for Nemours Children's, Jacksonville, while helping shape the future of pediatric care throughout Northeast Florida. The CMO will champion initiatives that advance Whole Child Health while fostering a culture of quality, safety, physician engagement, and continuous improvement. Top of Form
Key Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership for the clinical, quality and safety, research, education, and training components of the Nemours Children's missionand strategic priorities.
- Oversee the operational, financial, and clinical performance of Jacksonville physician practices while ensuring safe, efficient, and patient-centered care delivery.
- Partner with senior leadership to advance strategic priorities, physician engagement, organizational performance, and Whole Child Health initiatives.
- Maintain accountability for clinical quality, patient safety, and regulatory compliance in collaboration with Nemours quality and safety leadership in Florida and system wide.
- Serve as a liaison to the medical staff, fostering physician alignment, engagement, and effective medical staff governance.
- Collaborate with physician and administrative leaders across Florida and the Nemours network to advance organizational strategy and mission-driven growth.
- In partnership with department chairs, lead physician recruitment, retention, succession planning, and professional development efforts across the Northeast Florida market.
- Advance academic partnerships, graduate and undergraduate medical education programs, and physician leadership development initiatives.
- Champion our Continuous Improvement efforts, high-reliability principles, and practice standardization initiatives to improve outcomes and reduce waste.
- Strengthen relationships with referring physicians, community partners, and key stakeholders throughout Northeast Florida.
- Support network development and strategic growth initiatives, including expansion of clinical services and community partnerships.
- Promote Nemours culture, standards of behavior, family-centered care philosophy, and commitment to associate well-being and professional growth.
Requirements
- At least 7-10 years of clinical leadership experience, with prior healthcare financial responsibilities preferred
- Have a current Florida medical license or be able to obtain an unrestricted Florida medical license
- Board-certified in their respective specialty
- Advanced degree such as an MD, DO, or foreign equivalent
- Prior participation in academic research and peer-reviewed publications
Academic Collaboration, Research, and Growth
Nemours maintains strong academic and research partnerships that support clinical excellence, physician development, and innovation. Key collaborators include Mayo Clinic Florida, the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, and the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
The organization supports a robust research infrastructure through its dedicated Clinical Research Center and nationally recognized clinical trials programs, including participation in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Recent investments, including a $7.5 million state grant supporting the expansion of cancer research infrastructure and clinical trial capabilities, further strengthen opportunities for clinical, translational, and outcomes-based research.
Whole Child Health and the Healthiest Workforce
We believe achieving the best outcomes for children requires addressing more than just illness. Our nationally recognized Whole Child Health model focuses on the physical, emotional, social, developmental, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence a child's well-being, creating healthier futures for children, families, and communities.
As CMO, you will help shape and advance this vision through clinical excellence, innovation, physician engagement, and strategic collaboration across the health system and community.
Equally important is our commitment to building the healthiest workforce in health care. Nemours strives to create an environment where physicians and associates are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive professionally and personally. Through a culture of collaboration, leadership development, wellness, and continuous improvement, we invest in the people who make our mission possible.
This commitment reflects our belief that exceptional care for children begins with a healthy, engaged, and supported workforce.
Living and Working in Jacksonville
Jacksonville offers an exceptional quality of life, combining the amenities of a major metropolitan area with the lifestyle benefits of a coastal community. Residents enjoy more than 20 miles of beaches, access to the St. Johns River, extensive parks and outdoor recreation, and year-round opportunities for boating, golf, fishing, and cycling.
The city features a thriving arts and cultural scene, vibrant historic neighborhoods, professional sports, and nationally recognized events, including THE PLAYERS Championship at nearby TPC Sawgrass. Jacksonville is also home to a growing business community, excellent schools, diverse housing options, and a cost of living that remains favorable compared with many major U.S. markets.
Convenient access through Jacksonville International Airport provides easy travel. For physicians and families seeking professional opportunities, community connection, and an outstanding lifestyle, Jacksonville offers an ideal place to live and work.
Interested Candidates
Confidential inquiries, nominations, and expressions of interest are welcomed.
To learn more about this leadership opportunity please apply online or to submit your curriculum vitae in confidence, please contact:
Jenn Valentine
AVP, Talent Acquisition,
Nemours Children's Health
Jennifer.Valentine@Nemours.org
302.723.4465
About Us
Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized pediatric health system serving more than 1.7 million patient encounters each year. We deliver care across six states through two freestanding children's hospitals - Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida - along with a network of more than 80 primary, urgent, and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospital partnerships.
Backed by the Nemours Foundation and Alfred I. duPont Trust, our $1.7B nonprofit system is dedicated to improving children's health through clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention. Our Whole Child Health approach focuses equally on prevention and treatment, partnering with communities to help every child thrive.
Inclusion and belonging guide our strategy and growth. We are committed to culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and fostering an environment where every associate, patient, and family feels supported and valued.
Learn more at Nemours.org.
