System Chair of Surgical Services

Guthrie Medical Group is pleased to announce the opening of the System Surgical Chair (Chair of Surgical Services) position. Reporting directly to the President of Guthrie Medical Group, this physician leader will provide strategic, clinical, and operational leadership across a comprehensive surgical enterprise serving northern Pennsylvania and southern and central New York.

This is a high-visibility, system-wide role ideal for a surgeon who enjoys leading complex programs, shaping perioperative services, and mentoring the next generation of surgeons—while maintaining a meaningful clinical practice.

• Lead the surgical service line across six hospitals and multiple regional practice sites, including general surgery and a broad range of surgical subspecialties.

• Expected FTE split ~0.6–0.7 leadership / 0.3–0.4 clinical, with flexibility based on candidate and departmental needs.

• Partner closely with hospital presidents, perioperative leadership, anesthesia, nursing, and executive leadership to drive quality, access, and growth across all surgical programs.

• Support and grow Guthrie’s General Surgery residency and other GME programs, in collaboration with the DIO and Chief Academic Officer.

• Set vision and strategy for surgical services across the system, aligned with Guthrie’s mission and strategic plan.

• Provide clinical and operational leadership for surgical divisions (e.g., general surgery, trauma/acute care, surgical oncology, breast, bariatric, cardiothoracic, vascular, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, ENT, urology, plastics and other subspecialties).

• Partner with perioperative and anesthesia leaders to optimize OR access, block utilization, on-time starts, throughput, and case mix, across inpatient and ambulatory surgery sites.

• Lead quality, safety, and patient experience initiatives, using data and national benchmarks to drive performance and reduce complications.

• Recruit, retain, and mentor a high-performing team of surgeons and APPs, supporting succession planning and leadership development.

• Support GME, teaching, and scholarly activity (QI, clinical research, education) within the Department of Surgery.

• Collaborate with Finance and service line partners to manage budgets, evaluate business cases, and guide capital planning (OR expansion, robotics, ambulatory surgery, technology).

• Work closely with medical staff leadership, MSO/CVO, and hospital teams to ensure compliance with bylaws, privileging standards, and regulatory requirements.

• MD or DO, board certified in a surgical specialty (e.g., General Surgery or surgical subspecialty).

• Eligible for unrestricted licensure in Pennsylvania and New York.

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience (Division/Section Chief, Vice Chair, Program Director, Service Line Leader or equivalent) in a multi-hospital or integrated health system.

• Demonstrated success improving surgical quality, OR performance, access, and program growth.

• Experience in academic or teaching environments, with a track record of resident and medical student education; scholarly activity preferred.

• Strong skills in communication, collaboration, change leadership, and data-driven decision-making.

• Competitive leadership and clinical compensation, aligned with specialty and national benchmarks.

• Full health, dental, vision, and disability benefits.

• Retirement plan with employer contributions, CME time and allowance.

• Relocation assistance and malpractice coverage (including tail).

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit and practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of nearly 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 13 counties.

Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary Critical Care, Endocrinology and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Guthrie Physicians and Advanced Practitioners provide more than 2 million patient visits per year to enhance the health and well-being of those we serve within an environment of compassion, learning, and discovery. 

Located on the Pennsylvania and New York border, Sayre is part of the larger community known as the Penn-York Valley or simply "The Valley." The other communities comprise Athens, PA, South Waverly, PA, and Waverly, NY. The combined population of these communities is 35,000. The Valley offers scenic countryside and rural living with easy access to larger areas such as Corning, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Binghamton, NY. I-86 is only minutes away and offers a direct route to Elmira and Binghamton, NY airports.