Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery – Professor

Position Summary:

The Department of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. This position is located in Milwaukee, WI at our Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin campus. The Division delivers the full spectrum of adult cardiac, thoracic, and heart and lung transplant surgical care and serves as a premier regional referral center for complex cardiothoracic conditions. The Chief provides overarching leadership for all clinical, academic, research, and operational functions of the Division.

Position Highlights:

• Divisional and Health System Leadership: Provide visionary and strategic leadership for all clinical, educational, and research functions of the Division, collaborating across a matrixed academic health system that spans the Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert ThedaCare, and Medical College Physicians.

• Clinical Program Oversight: Lead a high-volume program performing nearly 2,000 adult cardiac and thoracic procedures annually, encompassing the full spectrum of coronary, valvular, aortic, structural heart, heart and lung transplant, MCS/ECMO, and thoracic surgery, supported by 24/7 in-house APP and perfusionist coverage at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital.

• Faculty and Operational Excellence: Recruit, mentor, and support faculty, fellows, and advanced practice providers. Drive quality improvement and evidence-based protocol development, lead morbidity and mortality conferences, and optimize OR utilization and clinic efficiencies across the Division.

• Regional Growth: Strengthen community and regional referral partnerships to expand access to advanced cardiothoracic surgical services and position Froedtert/MCW as a leading center for complex surgical care.

• Education and Research: Oversee the ACGME-accredited 24-month Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship and support a robust research portfolio spanning clinical outcomes, device development, and translational studies in mechanical support, cardiac preservation, thoracic oncology, and transplantation.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chair of Surgery or Chair-Designate.

Division Highlights:

• The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery includes 12 faculty surgeons and is actively expanding to 15, with a team of 20+ advanced practice providers and 14 perfusionists. The Division performs nearly 2,000 adult cardiac and thoracic procedures annually, with volumes growing steadily through expanded regional referrals and deeper integration within the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Service Line, supported by 24/7 in-house APP and perfusionist coverage through a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary team. Additional surgical services are delivered at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and partner hospitals and clinics across the region.

• Adult Cardiac Surgery encompasses the full spectrum of coronary, valvular, aortic, and mechanical support procedures, including the state’s largest heart transplant program. Faculty provide surgical leadership in the multidisciplinary Structural Heart Program, offering TAVR and emerging transcatheter mitral therapies alongside conventional surgery. A robotic cardiac surgery program is in active development to expand minimally invasive options for coronary and valvular disease.

• General Thoracic Surgery provides advanced surgical care for malignant and non-malignant diseases of the chest, with emphasis on robotic and minimally invasive approaches. Lung transplantation is offered through a well-integrated program with Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and thoracic oncology care is delivered in close coordination with the Cancer Center.

• A well-established MCS/ECMO program serves as a regional referral center for cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and advanced mechanical circulatory support, staffed with dedicated surgeons and 24/7 in-house ECMO specialist and perfusionist coverage.

• The Division offers an ACGME-accredited 24-month Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship providing high-volume, hands-on training in cardiac, thoracic, and transplant surgery under nationally recognized faculty, with faculty-led research spanning clinical outcomes, device development, and translational studies. Learn more about the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

• Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the primary adult teaching hospital of MCW, is a 776?bed facility and the only adult Level I Trauma Center in eastern Wisconsin. Recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals, Froedtert serves as a regional referral center for complex cardiovascular care.

• MCW, a nationally recognized research institution, is the 3rd largest private medical school in the nation with a large faculty and employee base.

Procedure for Candidacy:

All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquiries will be made without the consent of the applicant. Nominations and applications, including a current curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing qualifications and interest in the role, may be submitted to:

Kate Dillon

Physician & APP Sr. Recruiter

katdillon@mcw.edu

Qualifications:

• Medical degree (MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) from an accredited institution.

• Board certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

• State medical licensure, or eligibility to obtain an unrestricted license, in the State of Wisconsin.

• Faculty rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience; appointment at the rank of Professor is expected.

• Demonstrated record of clinical excellence, scholarly achievement, and academic administrative leadership commensurate with a senior faculty appointment, including proven leadership experience within a complex, multi-faceted university or academic medical center with demonstrated strategic, implementation, and conflict resolution skills.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build consensus, navigate complexity, and foster collaboration across departments, institutions, and external partners. Highly credible with the ability to quickly establish trust as a respected leader and consensus builder.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to articulate and implement a compelling vision across all mission areas, combined with analytical rigor, decisiveness, results-orientation, and sound judgment.

• Strong business acumen and experience overseeing complex clinical operations, including quality, safety, performance improvement, and resource management in a multi-hospital health system. Entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to financial management and budgeting.

• Demonstrated personal and professional alignment with MCW’s core values, with unquestionable integrity, ethics, and professionalism, and a superior track record of cultivating collaborative team cultures and fostering environments of trust, inclusion, and shared purpose.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and research.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Generous 403(b) with 8% matching and CME allowance.
• Employment with the Medical College of Wisconsin provides eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Robust benefits package, including health, dental, life insurance, disability coverage, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, and more!

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is the state’s only private medical school and health sciences graduate school. MCW consists of a School of Medicine with campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay and central Wisconsin, a School of Graduate Studies, and a Pharmacy School. MCW is a major national research center ranking in the top third of U.S. medical schools in NIH funding and is the second largest research institution in Wisconsin. The core of everything we do at the MCW is academic medicine, which brings together scientists, clinicians, students, and community members to solve challenges in health and society. MCW is a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to build a healthier world. Every study we conduct, and every patient we see, leads to new learning and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge.

Approximately 1,780 MCW physicians and approximately 905 advanced practice providers care for more than 484,000 patients of all ages annually at Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Zablocki VA Medical Center and many other hospitals and clinics in eastern Wisconsin, representing more than 5.1 million patient visits annually.

The beautiful, safe, and modern campus of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) houses Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, Curative Care Network, Versiti Blood CResearch Institute, and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. These member entities share a common mission of excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research, and community service.

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.5 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms. Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, museums, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, and many fine restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation, including hiking, cycling, boating, and more. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities.