Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

The University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) seeks a nationally recognized, dynamic, and visionary leader to become its next Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS.) This is an opportunity to strengthen and amplify excellence in research, patient care, and education for an internationally renowned department while aligning the academic vision with clinical growth in an expanding health system. The next Chair will be a creative thinker who advocates across the missions of Michigan Medicine (MM) to empower talented faculty, staff, and learners. The Chair will be a champion of innovation and collaboration, have an inclusive leadership mindset and framework to navigate and supervise multidisciplinary teams, and move a highly supported and well-respected department forward.

MM is home to one of the largest healthcare complexes in Michigan. It is comprised of the UM Health System, UMMS, and the Michigan Health Corporation (the legal entity that allows the Health System to enter into partnerships, affiliations, and joint ventures). MM serves the state, nation, and world through advanced clinical care, ground-breaking research, and a broad range of biomedical education.

The DOVS recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and is recognized as a leader in advancing the field with distinct strength in research that explores the genetic, molecular, and biochemical underpinnings of sight. The Department’s purpose is to improve lives through curing, preventing, and treating eye disease. It strives to operate with the guiding principles of innovation, teamwork, caring, diversity and inclusivity, and integrity. The Department has 108 faculty, including 60 MD and MD/PhDs, 12 optometrists, 20 PhD investigators and 16 clinical instructors. The Department is housed in the over 250,000 square-foot Kellogg Eye Center, ranked the #1 ophthalmology hospital in Michigan and #8 in the United States, is a nationally recognized center for vision care and research and one of the largest and highly specialized eye centers in the country. The Eye Center had over 200,000 patient visits in FY22 and performed over 10,300 major surgical procedures. The Department has an operating budget of $76 million. The DOVS research program is supported by research funding totaling over of $11 million (FY22) with $8.2 million from federal grants for research and education – including R01 grants, K08 and K23 mentored awards, a K12 Institutional Clinical Scientist Development Program Grant, a P30 Core Grant, and a T32 Training Grant from the National Eye Institute - and $2.8M in foundation grants. The DOVS was placed in the top ten Ophthalmology Departments in NIH funding in 2022.

The successful candidate will have a deep dedication to the clinical mission, a proven track record in developing research programs, a demonstrated commitment to education, and significant philanthropic, administrative, and budgetary experience to help advance a highly collegial and collaborative department that is an international leader in vision care. The successful candidate will also bring operational knowledge of complex vision care, business acumen related to strategic planning and business development, a track record of fostering collaboration, and outstanding communication skills. The next Chair will be intentional about collaborations with key stakeholders and will find opportunities for alignment. They will promote diversity of thought and will implement practical approaches to enhancing teamwork and individual well-being. Candidates must have an MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent clinical doctoral degree, have a record commensurate with appointment at the rank of Professor, and be eligible for licensure in Michigan.