Posted 7/10/24

Chair of the Department of Psychiatry
University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) invites applications and nominations for a nationally recognized and visionary leader to become the next Chair of the Department of Psychiatry. This is an opportunity to build on a legacy of excellence in clinical care, research, and education for a highly ranked, internationally renowned department. As a key leader within Michigan Medicine (MM), the next Chair will leverage the strengths of the Department's clinical, research, and education missions to act as an advocate and champion for transformative psychiatric care and research across the state of Michigan and beyond.

UMMS is one of the nation’s premier public research-oriented medical schools and is home to over 3,850 faculty in 29 clinical and basic science departments and 4,900 staff. The school’s renowned education programs currently include 692 medical students, over 1,300 residents and fellows, 896 graduate students, and 486 postdoctoral fellows. UMMS’s $777 million in annual research awards for FY23 represents a $131 million growth since FY19.

The Department of Psychiatry has an interdisciplinary team of 203 faculty (on clinical, research, and tenure tracks), 248 staff, 50 residents, and 20 fellows. Of the 203 total faculty members, 47 hold a primary appointment at the Ann Arbor VA. The Department of Psychiatry’s research program is supported by $49.9 million of NIH funding and ranked seventh among psychiatry departments in NIH funding in Federal FY23. The Department operates a 25-bed adult inpatient psychiatric unit at University Hospital and a 16-bed child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit out of the adjacent Mott Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the Department runs a Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) - a standalone emergency department, and the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan, that evaluates individuals of all ages who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The Department also operates a variety of specialized outpatient programs through its Ambulatory Psychiatry Services, providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients and families. The Department has received state support to build out essential behavioral health programs to support the steady rise of psychiatric emergency volumes, acuity, and length of stay. This department has broad expertise, impactful research, a superb reputation, and well-established programs, and is situated in a growing integrated academic medical center that is focused on behavioral health and clinical mental health services.

Reporting to the Dean and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and the Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, the Chair of Psychiatry will have a dedication to the clinical mission, a proven track record in advancing research programs, a demonstrated commitment to education, significant administrative, budgetary, and philanthropic experience, and the leadership qualities to help advance a highly collegial and collaborative department. To lead the Department effectively, the Chair will promote and further build upon partnerships with senior leadership across the University, the Medical School, and several centers and institutes. As leader of the Department, the Chair will serve as an inspirational model and lynchpin for faculty by ensuring clinical excellence and research that spans from basic through translational to clinical research. The Chair will demonstrate integrity and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Chair will also bring operational knowledge of psychiatric care, an understanding of and experience leading strategic planning, a track record of fostering collaboration with communities, and outstanding communication skills. Candidates must have an MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent clinical doctoral degree, have an academic record commensurate with appointment at the rank of Professor, and be eligible for licensure in Michigan.

Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to Isaacson, Miller, the national executive search firm assisting with the search. All replies will be held in strict confidence. Correspondence and applications, which should include a CV and letter of interest, should be submitted electronically to the team at Isaacson, Miller via: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-michigan-medical-school/chair-department-psychiatry

Michigan Medicine seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan and to maintain the excellence of the University. We welcome applications from anyone who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching, and clinical mission, including women, members of minority groups, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons and will not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status. The University of Michigan is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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