Chair, Department of Anesthesiology

Duke University School of Medicine (SOM) and Duke University Health System (DUHS) seek a highly accomplished anesthesiologist at the Associate Professor or Professor level to serve as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs of Duke University/Dean of the School of Medicine and to the Chief Executive Officer of DUHS, the chair has the opportunity to shape a robust academic department with a proven reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative, patient-centered care, advancing broad-reaching research, and cultivating a wide-range of educational opportunities for medical students, residents, and fellows. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, growth-minded and visionary leader who personally models and promotes professionalism and integrity. The candidate should possess outstanding communication skills, a distinguished record of original research, dedication to the educational mission, an exceptional clinical reputation, and a commitment to the mission of Duke Health, which conceptually integrates the Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Health System, Duke Health Integrated Practice (DHIP), Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke-NUS Medical School, as well as the Duke Global Health Institute and numerous other centers and institutes.

The Department of Anesthesiology is a large, multi-specialty, research-intensive unit comprising 191 faculty and nearly 100 residents and fellows, organized across ten clinical divisions and ten research and education centers. The Department is nationally recognized for excellence in perioperative medicine, pain management, and critical care, and consistently ranks among the top departments in the nation in NIH funding by the Blue Ridge Institute. The Department supports 11 accredited subspecialty fellowship training programs and a residency program. Faculty lead pioneering efforts in neuroscience, perioperative outcomes, critical care research, patient safety, and health services research. The Department provides high quality care to patients at Duke University Hospital, Duke Children’s, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and multiple ambulatory and outpatient centers across the region. The Department has numerous global collaborations and partnerships within the Duke Global Health Institute and strong ties with Duke-NUS Medical School.

Candidates should submit a letter of interest and a Curriculum Vitae to Lauren Binanay via email at [email protected] by October 27, 2025. Candidates who are selected to move forward should anticipate virtual interviews in early December followed by in-person visits in January.

Chair Responsibilities

Institutional

• In collaboration with School of Medicine and Duke University Health System leadership, provide visionary leadership to guide the Department into the next phase of growth and development in four mission areas: patient care, research, education, and community outreach.
• Recruit and retain strong and collaborative division chiefs and vice chairs who are aligned with Departmental objectives.
• Cultivate meaningful professional relationships and foster open communications; Promote physician, trainee, and staff wellness.
• Support faculty recruitment, retention, mentorship, and leadership development.
• Perform comprehensive annual evaluations and ensure appropriate conduct in alignment with core values, providing consistent feedback regarding performance/conduct.
• Support responsible stewardship of philanthropic funds in collaboration with Duke Health Development and faculty within the Department.
• Serve on DUHS, SOM, and DHIP committees related to the overall program and administration, including Executive Committees, Graduate Medical Education Committee, and other committees essential to the direction of DHIP, DUHS, SOM, and Department of Anesthesiology.

Clinical

• Champion team-based care models across perioperative medicine, critical care and pain management, integrating anesthesiologists, fellows, residents, CRNAs, and advanced practice providers into cohesive, high-functioning teams.
• Partner with enterprise leadership to integrate and expand perioperative, pain, and critical care services across DUHS with exceptional outcomes, patient experience and outcomes.
• Partner with peri-operative leadership on the oversight of clinical operations ensuring a clear focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
• In coordination with enterprise leadership, consider expanding service lines in critical care and pain management, including adoption of innovative models of care delivery.
• Ensure robust quality improvement programs and participation in national benchmarking initiatives.
• Work directly with DHIP and DUHS administration on budget development, capital planning, and resource allocation.
• Encourage innovation through adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches, to ensure the Department remains at the forefront of advancing patient care.

Educational

• Ensure the Department provides top-tier clinical and research education, and advanced training to students, residents, and fellows.
• Ensure that all training programs remain nationally recognized for quality and innovation and maintain accreditation and compliance.
• Collaborate with CRNA training programs to provide strong clinical training opportunities within Duke’s anesthesia care team model.
• Maintain the Anesthesiology Grand Rounds and other specialty-specific conference series to provide broad educational opportunities for faculty, trainees, and staff.
• Support and maintain the Department’s regional, national, and international continuing education activities, ensuring excellence in lifelong learning opportunities for physicians and alumni.

Research

• Collaborate with institutional leaders to develop impactful research initiatives and interdisciplinary programs.
• Retain, recruit, mentor, and develop outstanding research faculty and partner with other departments, centers, institutes, and schools to attract and retain top research talent. Ensure an atmosphere of support and development.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the Departmental research budget which encompasses all funding sources and ensures compliance with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines.

Community Outreach

• Represent the Department in community, national, and international activities related to anesthesiology, perioperative care, pain management, and critical care.
• Develop and strengthen collaborations with industry partners and national and international organizations to expand the Department’s impact and visibility.

Qualifications and Experience

• M.D. or M.D./ Ph.D.
• Board Certified in Anesthesiology and eligible for medical licensure in North Carolina
• Associate Professor or Professor
• Accomplished leader in the field of Anesthesiology with a distinguished record of leading high quality clinical care, engagement in education, and research activities in a complex academic medical center
• Demonstrated skills in visionary and strategic administration with a record of implementing innovative initiatives to meet the rapidly evolving environment in academic medicine
• Proven experience in recruiting, developing, and retaining top faculty and trainees
• Ability to foster a spirit of unity and collaboration while valuing opinions and perspectives of others
• Demonstrated capabilities in financial stewardship, budget management, and resource allocation
• Respectful and supportive management style with commitment to professionalism and integrity
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, and institutional leadership

Please see attached document for more information about Duke, Duke Health, and the Community. 

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