Program Director Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Dignity Health Medical Group - Merced  (a service of Dignity Health Medical Foundation) is closely affiliated with Mercy Medical Center in Merced, CA. We are a dedicated network of primary care and specialty physicians delivering unparalleled, compassionate care to our neighboring Valley communities. We operate under the unified banner of CommonSpirit Health® - One Community. One Mission. One California - advancing health for all people.

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit®, one of the nation's largest health systems dedicated to advancing health for all people. #HEC

Discover Merced: Impactful Medicine & An Unmatched Quality of Life

Merced is a flourishing Central California city of 90,000+ that offers health care professionals a rare combination of a low-stress lifestyle, a highly affordable cost of living, and close proximity to major metropolitan hubs. Choosing to practice here means your work carries profound meaning; you will step directly into a purpose-driven role, expanding critical medical access to a deeply appreciative and deserving community that relies on our care.

• Clinical Growth & Meaningful Impact: Anchored by a 190-bed community hospital and UC Merced, which is actively developing a brand-new medical school program. Here, you have the unique opportunity to be part of the solution to regional healthcare disparities while treating a wonderfully diverse patient population.

• Exceptional Quality of Life: Experience the best of California living without the high-stress environment, heavy traffic, or congestion of major cities. Merced offers a warm, family-oriented community atmosphere where you can truly thrive both inside and outside of the clinic.

• Cost of Living Advantage: Enjoy significantly lower housing costs and a highly competitive dollar-to-value ratio compared to coastal California markets, allowing you to build substantial equity while maintaining an expansive lifestyle.

• Unmatched Location: Perfectly situated just 2 hours from San Francisco, Sacramento, and the scenic Monterey/Carmel coastline.

• Outdoor Recreation: Gateway to Yosemite National Park, surrounded by premium 18-hole golf courses, and featuring 12+ miles of seamless, grade-separated city bike paths.

• Arts & Culture: Home to a local orchestra, theater company, and vibrant regional festivals.

As our Neurologist Physician, you will join a growing, physician-led practice at Dignity Health Medical Group - Merced, playing a pivotal role in the continued success, design, and development of our regional Neurology service line. In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to serve as the Stroke Program Director, driving clinical quality and leading the advancement of our dedicated stroke services. 

You will provide expert outpatient and inpatient consultative clinical care to adult patients, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of neurological conditions including stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. You will also contribute significantly to shaping a robust care network in a highly collaborative environment.

To be successful in this role, you will be a BC/BE Neurology physician with a passion for delivering high-quality, compassionate care to a diverse community, strong clinical and diagnostic skills, and a commitment to building a premier service line within a supportive, mission-driven environment. This opportunity is structured to support an excellent work-life balance, offering a predictable Monday through Friday schedule with shared regional call responsibilities.

• Serve as the Stroke Program Director, overseeing clinical protocols, quality metrics, and multidisciplinary initiatives to ensure exceptional stroke care delivery and program accreditation.

• Deliver comprehensive inpatient and outpatient neurology consultative services, diagnostic interpretations (such as EEG/EMG), and specialized neurological care.

• Lead the clinical design, growth, and development of the local Neurology service line to expand critical regional access.

• Partner and collaborate cross-functionally with a dedicated network of local primary care, emergency medicine, and hospitalist teams to optimize acute and chronic care pathways.

• Access advanced diagnostic imaging services and critical hospital resources while utilizing modern clinical facilities at Mercy Medical Center Merced.

We are offering the following incentives to eligible new hires:

• Guaranteed Annual Base Salary: $350,000 - $375,000/year plus additional productivity-based incentives.

• Stroke Program Directorship Stipend: Significantly higher earning potential through a dedicated leadership stipend for serving as the Stroke Program Director offering up to an additional $48,600 annually for program oversight 

• Sign-On & Transition Support: Generous signing bonus and relocation assistance.

• 100% Employer-Paid Benefits: Comprehensive medical and dental insurance fully covered for you and your family.

• Work-Life Balance: Predictable Monday through Friday schedule with shared regional call responsibilities.

• Retirement & Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, an employer-sponsored pension plan, and an annual CME allowance.

Required

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution

• Board eligible or board certified in Neurology (ABMS or AOA)

• Active or eligible medical license in the state of California

• Active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification (or eligibility to obtain)

• Completion of an accredited post-graduate residency training program in Neurology

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-based clinical problem-solving skills