Chair of Ophthalmology

The Opportunity

This is a remarkable opportunity for a dynamic and forward-thinking executive leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at The University of Alabama School of Medicine. The Chair reports to and works closely with the Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine to fulfill both UAB’s and the department’s commitment to preserving global eye health through high-quality patient care, innovative basic science, and clinical research, and comprehensive education.

The Ideal Candidate

The Chair of Ophthalmology will be a progressive, visionary, and supportive leader with contributions in leadership, teaching and service that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and equal opportunity. The Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology will work to optimize the creation of novel strategies to grow the Department and continue to enhance the three mission areas of patient care, research, and education. They will assess gaps within those mission areas and identify future opportunities and needs. Serve as a member of senior leadership to establish research and education priorities. Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of the Department, including the positive representation of the Department within the UAB enterprise, creating collaboration opportunities and bridges across the institution. Qualified candidates must have at least 10 years of experience and be board certified in Ophthalmology.

The Organization

The UAB Heersink SOM ranks 21st nationally in NIH research funding and in the top 8 for all public institutions. Three departments within the Heersink SOM are ranked in the top 10 for NIH funding in 2021: Dermatology – #2; Microbiology – #9; Biomedical Engineering – #10, and has more than 1,700 full-time faculty in 27 academic departments and almost 2,000 medical and graduate students. 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the heartbeat of Birmingham and an integral medical leader in the Southeast. The Birmingham campus is within walking distance of some of the best parks, entertainment, and dining in the region. UAB’s three regional campuses expand their academic reach and responsibilities in addition to educating physicians in rural and underserved areas of the state.  UAB is experiencing major and sustained investment and growth, due both to its exceptional research faculty and its culture of collaboration. Through concerted and strategic investments in its clinical and research enterprise, UAB has undergone an amazing transformation in the past five years and has strengthened its status and reputation as a leader in medical training, biomedical discovery, innovation, and patient care.

The UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is housed in the renowned UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, and is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of faculty focused on innovative research, quality education, as well as compassionate patient care.  The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is ranked in the top ten of National Institutes of Health funding, reflecting on the tremendous efforts of the department’s researchers and puts UAB Department of Ophthalmology further on the map as a nationally recognized leader in vision research. In 2011 the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital was designated as a Level One Ocular Trauma Center — one of only two in the nation. Callahan Eye Hospital is the only freestanding Level One Ocular Trauma Center in the country.

The Region

Birmingham, Alabama is a friendly, diverse, and welcoming urban center nestled at the base of the Appalachian Mountains.   The area has undergone a cultural revolution and community invigoration and is brimming with entertainment, arts, nightlife, outdoor recreation, sports, and world-class cuisine. Birmingham has its own airport with daily direct connections to 26 airports and 23 cities. Located two hours east is Atlanta’s International Airport and metro area, while lovely beach communities are easily accessible along the gulf coast.