What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine position at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health?
Overview
Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Dartmouth Health System
Dartmouth Health and The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth are pleased to announce a national search for the Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. This is an opportunity to lead a nationally-renowned clinical department that is the largest provider of pathology and laboratory services in New Hampshire. With over 350 technical and support staff members, the Department of Pathology is organized into three primary divisions: Anatomic Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, and Clinical Genomics & Advanced Technologies. Each division provides specialized diagnostic services that support patient care, research, and teaching.
- Anatomic Pathology: A team of 30 MD/DO faculty members delivers subspecialized services since 2003, processing over 80,000 specimens annually, covering all key areas of surgical pathology, cytopathology and autopsy.
- Laboratory Medicine: Seven MD/DO pathologists and seven clinical PhDs provide expert services in transfusion medicine, microbiology, chemistry, and hematopathology. These sections process around 3.5 million tests annually, providing expertise for routine and specialized diagnostics.
- Clinical Genomics & Advanced Technologies: In-house high-complexity diagnostics, including genomic sequencing and molecular testing such as whole exome sequencing and transcriptome to support personalized medicine, targeted therapies, cancer diagnostics, and hereditary disease testing.
The department has a robust educational mission, including its 14-resident, ACGME-accredited program and fellowships in transfusion medicine, hematopathology, dermatopathology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry fellowship, and post-doctoral molecular cytogenetics. The department also provides hands-on experience for medical students from Geisel School of Medicine and other affiliated colleges.
Research is a core strength of the department, which focuses on advancing diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities through innovative technologies, translational research, interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurships. The department of Pathology is known for its leadership in LEAN/Six Sigma methodologies and, in alignment with DH’s strategic goals, is poised for growth including the expansion of digital and informatics capabilities and enhancing collaborative research efforts.
The Chair of Pathology will have primary responsibility for the overall direction, operation, and management of the Department in accordance with the mission and goals of Dartmouth Health and The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. The Chair will collaborate with other Dartmouth Health member hospitals and affiliate sites to establish quality metrics and performance dashboard and in support of regional program development, resource allocation, and academic/research opportunities.
The Chair will partner with the Dartmouth Health senior leadership to provide high-quality delivery of care, achieve program objectives, and meet financial metrics. The Chair, through their leadership position within Geisel, is responsible for faculty development and mentoring toward academic advancement. Additionally, they will foster a robust culture that encourages education for physicians, advanced practitioners, students, residents, and fellows that meets or exceeds program accreditation standards (e.g., LCME, ACGME/RRC, and CME).
The Chair shall provide departmental oversight for all aspects of graduate and undergraduate medical education, as well as engage with relevant graduate programs in the biosciences (PhD, MPH, MS) and with those for undergraduates of Dartmouth College.
As the clinical leader of the Department, the Chair will have full accountability for the establishment and implementation of surgical services, strategies, and operations for Dartmouth Health, which includes all Dartmouth Health locations, regional members, and affiliates. The Chair is also an integral member of the Dartmouth Health Senior Leadership Group and of the Geisel Dean’s Academic Board.
Responsibilities include:
- Ensure high-performing, patient and family-centered care and population health goals across Dartmouth Health and Dartmouth by working in close collaboration with the Dartmouth Health Chief Clinical Officer and other senior Dartmouth Health clinical, academic and administrative leadership.
- Set a tone of academic excellence in the department through mentorship for education and scholarship that leads to the academic advancement of faculty based on the criteria established in the Geisel Appointment and Promotion and Tenure guidelines.
- Foster a respectful and supportive environment for the educational advancement of learners and the professional development of staff.
- Champion programs to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among all faculty and staff within the department.
- Provide responsible leadership for all Department staff processes including physician engagement, recruitment, development, and performance assessment.
- Foster a culture and environment that enables change implementation and innovation in transitioning from volume-based to value-based care models in conjunction with senior clinical, academic, and administrative leadership.
- Advance medical management and cost-effectiveness initiatives, implement best practices, including case and utilization management processes, and foster quality promotion, patient safety, and cost containment.
- Champion research programs across the full clinical, delivery, and basic science spectrum within the Department and through collaborations with others that are aligned with the goals of Dartmouth Health, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics, and Geisel School of Medicine in collaboration with the Dartmouth Health Chief Research Officer, the Geisel Dean, and other Chair colleagues.
- Lead the implementation and operation of innovative and effective telemedicine programs to help support and transform the provision of surgical services throughout Dartmouth Health’s service area.
- Lead innovation and implementation of curricular programs within the Department and through collaborations with others that are aligned with the goals of the system.
About Our System:Dartmouth Health is New Hampshire’s largest, and only academic, health system. Dartmouth Health serves a population of 1.9 million patients across northern New England and provides access to more than 1,800 providers. Anchored by the academic Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the NCI-designated Dartmouth Cancer Center, the Dartmouth Health Children’s hospital, 6 member hospitals, 30 ambulatory clinics across the state of New Hampshire and southern Vermont, a Visiting Nurse Association, and the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care.
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth was established in Hanover, NH in 1797, and to this day, strives to improve the lives of the people it serves: students, patients, and local and global communities. As one of America's top medical schools, Geisel is committed to creating new generations of diverse leaders who will help solve the most vexing challenges in health care. Geisel and Dartmouth Health are separate organizational entities that collaborate intimately on research and education, and share key infrastructure programs. Additional clinical and academic collaborations include the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Junction, VT; the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice; the Tuck School of Business; the Thayer School of Engineering; the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies; and the Arts and Sciences departments and programs of Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth Health and Geisel are headquartered in the historical Upper Connecticut River Valley, consisting of the 37 towns straddling the river between Vermont and New Hampshire. The “Upper Valley” boasts cultural opportunities through venues including the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, as well as the Lebanon Opera House and Northern Stage in White River Junction, VT. The region is noted for its abundance of recreational activities. With destinations like Boston, New York, Montreal, the seacoast, and ski country within short driving distances, it is a place to thrive both personally and professionally.
Qualified candidates will:
- Hold a medical degree (MD, DO) or equivalent degree(s)
- Qualify for the rank of Professor or Associate Professor at Geisel School of Medicine
- Be American board certified
- Be a New Hampshire licensed physician or should be eligible for licensure in the state of New Hampshire.
The preferred candidate will have five or more years of experience as a strategic leader with the ability to manage a substantial, complex, and evolving organization.
They will also have experience with funded research, scholarly achievement, and a history of teaching effectiveness, successful development of an organization or program, and an acknowledged reputation in the provision of exemplary health care. Ideally, the successful candidate will have had leadership experience within a dynamic academic health system as well as a medical school.
The successful candidate will be an advocate for the faculty, students, and staff and be committed to mentoring and training the next generation of physicians and clinicians.
Candidates wishing to apply should submit a CV, Cover Letter, and Impact Statement.
Please address cover letters to the Search Chair:
Ilana Cass, MD
Chair, Obstetrics and GynecologyDartmouth Health
All application material should be submitted to:
Carrie Moore, DBA Executive RecruiterDartmouth Health
Carrie.E.Moore@hitchcock.org
Dartmouth Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.