Description
Chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)
About the Position
Vanderbilt University Medical Center seeks an outstanding leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) within the Section of Surgical Sciences. This senior leadership position reports directly to the Surgeon-in-Chief and Chair of the Section of Surgical Sciences and requires an individual with broad experience and ability to manage the multiple missions of a major academic department: clinical excellence, research, and education. The successful candidate should be eligible for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
About the Department
The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at VUMC is nationally recognized for its comprehensive clinical services, innovative research, and exceptional training programs. Our mission is to provide the highest quality patient care, educate the next generation of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and advance the specialty through groundbreaking research. Clinical expertise spans the full scope of OMFS, including dentoalveolar surgery, orthognathic and craniofacial surgery, TMJ disorders, oral pathology and oncology, implantology and reconstructive surgery, and management of facial trauma. The department’s robust clinical practice includes more than 1,000 operating room cases annually and is supported by a dedicated team of eight clinical faculty. In addition to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, the faculty includes adult and pediatric general dentists, and craniofacial orthodontist supporting a very busy and successful hospital-based practice.
Education and Training
Our CODA-accredited residency program attracts top candidates nationwide and prepares graduates for leadership roles in academic medicine/dentistry and private practice. Trainees benefit from exposure to advanced surgical techniques, interdisciplinary care, and robust research opportunities. Fellowship training in specialized areas such as craniofacial surgery and head and neck oncology is also available.
Research
The Department supports a dynamic research enterprise focused on craniofacial development, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and clinical outcomes. Faculty collaborate with world-class programs in genomics, personalized medicine, and biomedical engineering through the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgical Engineering (VISE). Our investigators are highly competitive for NIH and other extramural funding.
Leadership Responsibilities
The incoming Chair will be responsible for all clinical, educational, and research activities within the Department, including strategic planning and growth, budgeting and resource management, ensuring quality outcomes and patient satisfaction, recruiting and mentoring faculty, fostering diversity and inclusion, and building collaborations across VUMC and beyond.
About Vanderbilt University Medical Center
VUMC is a leading academic medical center comprised of seven hospitals, including Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and other facilities. With more than 1,741 licensed beds, VUMC offers state-of-the-art operating rooms and acute care facilities. The medical center employs approximately 43,000 people, including 4,930 clinicians and over 1,200 resident physicians, making it the largest non-governmental employer in Middle Tennessee. Each year, VUMC handles 3.3 million patient visits and 213,000 emergency department visits. VUMC remains a top NIH-funded institution, ranking 5th nationally among U.S. medical schools. In FY24, it received $586 million in NIH support, and overall annual research awards now exceed $1 billion from government, industry, foundations, and donors. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine continues to rank among the top U.S. medical schools for NIH funding and hosts leading programs in genomics, personalized medicine, and biomedical informatics.
Location
Nashville, Tennessee, offers a vibrant cultural scene, strong economy, and high quality of life. Ranked among the best U.S. metropolitan areas, 'Music City' combines affordability with outstanding schools and amenities.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a letter of application and curriculum vitae to:
Seth J. Karp, M.D.
Professor of Surgery, Biomedical Ethics and Society, and Anesthesiology
H. William Scott Jr. Chair in Surgery
Chair, Section of Surgical Sciences
System Surgeon-in-Chief, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1161 – 21st Ave. S, MCN D-4314
Nashville, TN 37232-2730
c/o Margie Tattersfield
e-mail: margie.tattersfield@vumc.org
Requirements
The successful candidate should be eligible for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
