Dean and CAO of Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. Educating the next generation of physicians.

The mission of Meritus Health, Inc. is to improve the health of our community. With the establishment of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM), we are proud to take a significant step forward in achieving this goal by educating the next generation of physicians who are professionally accomplished, socially responsible, and community oriented.

MSOM will be the first new medical school in Maryland in over a century.

Located on the campus of Meritus Health in Hagerstown, Maryland, MSOM will be part of Western Maryland’s largest healthcare provider, which serves over 200,000 residents across the tri-state area. This strategic location will provide students with direct access to a robust healthcare environment for both education and clinical training.

The inaugural class, the Class of 2029, will begin in July 2025, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in medical education in Maryland. The first cohort will consist of 90 medical students, with future classes expected to grow to 180 students. MSOM’s state-of-the-art facility, the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall, is a 200,000-square-foot, five-story building designed to foster a dynamic learning environment. The building will feature cutting-edge simulation centers, labs, classrooms, and a conference center with the capacity to host up to 1,000 people.

Adjacent to the academic building, Meritus Commons will provide on-campus housing with 340 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The complex will include amenities such as a clubhouse, communal areas, and a dog park. The first 90 units will be ready in time for the arrival of the first class in 2025.

This initiative is not only a response to the growing national shortage of healthcare professionals, but it is also expected to have a significant economic impact. Between 2025 and 2030, the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is projected to generate over $750 million in economic activity by 2030.

Through MSOM, Meritus Health is proud to play a leading role in shaping the future of healthcare and medical education, fostering a new generation of physicians who will serve the evolving needs of our community and beyond.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the President, the Dean and CAO will be charged with accelerating medical education for osteopathic degree programs and learners and advancing innovation and transformation within and across the medical education continuum. The incumbent will lead the development and execution of a multi-year transformation and innovation action plan designed to facilitate the implementation of the newly developed school of medicine’s strategic vision and framework. Base salary range $300,000-$400,000.

Primary Functions/Responsibilities:

• The role requires a deep understanding of medical education curricula, methods of educational delivery and assessment, knowledge of educational technology resources and infrastructure, as well as transformation and organizational change management principles required to shape and lead key efforts. This role will serve as a trusted subject matter expert for the SOM and must have a proven ability to demonstrate highly effective collaboration and teambuilding/teamwork across a variety of consistencies.
• The dean must foster success across the four medical education cores: (1) Student Success, (2) Instructional Design and Educational Technology, (3) Innovation and Transformation, and (4) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The incumbent must also demonstrate proven experience in developing and executing educational programs within complex medical school settings inclusive of multiple health care delivery systems.
• This position will develop and direct key programming and infrastructure requirements for execution of the medical education strategic framework, including concepts of innovative and intentional design into the creation of interprofessional learning opportunities, simulation infrastructure, educational space considerations, technology design, design-thinking principles, creativity, and others.
• The Dean for Meritus School of Medicine will articulate the skills, competencies, and experience types required from our faculty educators to support the major initiatives and innovative curriculum. The dean will continuously question the status quo and stimulate new creative designs, processes, systems, and structures to accelerate the adoption of innovation throughout the education mission and continually refresh and develop new elements of the transformation plan to support the evolving mission of medical education eminence.
• This highly visible role will partner closely with both academic and non-academic leaders, internal MSOM leaders such as others on the Leadership Team and Dean's Office with other key leaders and areas of the institution, including Meritus system-wide units (inpatient hospital, physician practices, residency programs, etc), and our partner organizations (healthcare and non-healthcare) to effectively execute plan.
• The Dean will be a result-driven leader with a demonstrated ability to propose and encourage new ideas, can inspire action, and will be held accountable for implementation/idea execution and driving results. The incumbent will have a passion for both innovation and education, and will have an innate curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and one who is energized by the new and unknown. A proven change agent with strategic acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset who can add new skills and perspectives to the MSOM team.

Requirements:

Education: DO

Experience:

• School of Osteopathic Medicine Administrative experience 5 years or more.
• Demonstrated experience as an administrative leader at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.
• Proven experience with accreditation processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Outstanding leadership, communication, and interprofessional skills
• Experience with strategic planning implementation and new program development
• Experience with modes of delivery appropriate for health professions education, as well as innovative modes of delivery such as design thinking
• Budgetary experience

Licensure/Certification- Must have board certification as a DO at some point in career

Caring for Our Team

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the first day of the month following 30 days of employment, along with life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, 401k with impressive matching. Executive benefits would include a robust time off package as well additional retirement plan options.

Strength Through Diversity

Meritus Health believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key drivers for excellence. We share a common devotion to delivering exceptional patient care. When you join us, you become a part of Meritus Health, and we expect a record of achievement and advancement as we meet our mission.

Our commitment to equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to create joy at work and reach their potential.

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.