Chair, Department of Anesthesiology

Chair, Department of Anesthesiology

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair, Department of Anesthesiology (“Chair”).

The Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) was established in 1891 and is among the most prestigious in the world. Its mission is to act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, the discovery of knowledge and the treatment of patients for the betterment of the region, nation, and the world. WUSM is among the best medical schools in the country. In 2024, WUSM ranked #2 nationwide in total NIH funding, and its Department of Anesthesiology earned the #1 national ranking for NIH research funding, both according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, underscoring the institution’s broad impact and commitment to advancing medical science.

The Department of Anesthesiology at WUSM has a rich history of leadership and innovation. Established as an independent department in 1971, the Department of Anesthesiology has consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. With a legacy of excellence, innovation, and stability, the department has been led by only five chairs since its inception. Since 2019, Dr. Michael Avidan has been at the helm, continuing to build on the department’s rich history. Dr. Avidan is stepping down and a national search is underway for an outstanding scientific physician leader to serve as the next Chair, Department of Anesthesiology.

The next Chair will be an accomplished, collaborative, and visionary physician-scientist leader with a history of research funding, and the experience and skills to lead the Department into a new era. They will provide a strategic vision and leadership for growth and expansion of the clinical and academic missions of the Department. The new Chair will identify and promote inherent synergies to advance interdisciplinary collaborations to further align and support shared goals and initiatives across WUSM, BJC HealthCare and their affiliate hospitals.

The Chair will have leadership experience within large, complex matrixed organizations. They will have a clear ability to foster, support and drive programmatic expansion in a complex academic environment, ensuring that the clinical and academic activities of WUSM continue to bring value to its many internal and external stakeholders. They will have a passion for promoting a collaborative and welcoming environment of service culture that further elevates the Department as a nationally recognized leader for superb patient care, clinical outcomes, and innovative research discoveries. The Chair will have a deep understanding of how to leverage excellent clinical, translational, and bench science at WUSM to foster success within the Department.

The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and nurturing leader, deeply committed to supporting faculty across all areas of academic achievement. They will bring a distinguished record of scholarship and mentorship, along with a deep understanding of how organizational culture drives success that starts with them. They will have a willingness to be both strategic and tactical in achieving institutional objectives. The new Chair must be passionate about seeking consensus, but not afraid to make difficult decisions or lead change. The new Chair will be a visible, transparent, and principled leader, committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, supporting the academic aspirations of all departmental faculty, and ensuring the department continues to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Qualified candidates will hold an MD, MD/PhD or equivalent and be board certified in Anesthesiology. Candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Washington University School of Medicine.

Korn Ferry is honored to assist WUSM with this important search. Please forward, as soon as possible, applications or nominations of appropriate candidates, in confidence, to:

c/o Caroline Thompson, Korn Ferry
Email: [email protected]