Duke Health - Spine Division Chief

Duke Health seeks an accomplished academic spine surgeon to serve as Chief of the Spine Division and the System Medical Director, Spine Services and, an integrated program bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery to create a national model for comprehensive spine care. Reporting jointly to the Chairs of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery and operating within a structure that includes close partnership with Duke Health leadership, the Chief will lead the clinical, academic, research, and operational missions of the Division while serving as the System Medical Director for Spine in the new Neuroscience & Spine Service Line. This physician executive will provide leadership across Duke's integrated spine service line, bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health leaders to advance a unified vision for spine care delivery, innovation, and growth.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead one of the nation’s most distinctive academic spine enterprises. The Chief will develop and implement a strategic vision for the Division, unify faculty across departments, strengthen patient access and quality, align clinical and financial performance, and expand Duke’s national leadership in spine research and innovation. The position will serve as a key connector between Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health leadership, helping advance a coordinated spine strategy across the health system. The Division includes approximately 34 clincians, including 15 surgeons and 11 advanced practice providers, and supports more than 46,000 annual patient visits and 4,000 surgical procedures.

Key responsibilities include leading divisional strategy and operations; overseeing clinical growth, quality, and financial performance; advancing research and academic programs; mentoring faculty; supporting residency and fellowship education; and fostering a collaborative culture across surgical and non-operative spine disciplines, including PM&R, pain management, rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and related specialties. The Chief will play a central role in creating an integrated “one-stop” spine program that delivers exceptional patient-centered care while advancing innovation and discovery. This leader will oversee efforts that span orthopaedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary spine services, while advancing integration across the broader musculoskeletal and neuroscience service lines. The Chief will be responsible for developing a shared vision and operating model that strengthens collaboration across departments while supporting Duke Health's long-term strategic priorities.

Candidates must be board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery, eligible for North Carolina licensure, and qualified for appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level. The successful candidate will possess a distinguished record of academic achievement, demonstrated success as a physician leader, strong business and operational acumen, and the ability to build consensus and lead effectively within a complex matrixed academic health system.

Opportunity Highlights:

• Provide strategic leadership across Duke's spine platform, bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary partners to advance a unified model of patient care, research, and education.
• Lead a nationally recognized spine enterprise that aligns Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health around a unified vision for spine care.
• Serve as the primary physician leader responsible for advancing Duke's vision for an integrated spine program across clinical, academic, research, and operational domains.
• Reporting jointly to the Chairs of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery while partnering closely with Duke Health leadership to advance access, quality, growth, and operational alignment.
• Physician leader for the spine component of the broader Neuroscience & Spine service line.
• Strategic oversight of spine services across orthopaedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary spine care.
• Up to 30% of time to lead strategy, operations, academic development, and culture.
• Clinical focus is flexible across spine subspecialties; emphasis is on leadership, integration, and outcomes.
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of spine services across one of the nation's leading academic health systems through collaboration with departmental and health system leaders.
• Lead a multidisciplinary “one-stop” model spanning surgical and nonoperative care, including physiatry, pain management, rehabilitation, and additional specialty support.
• Scope includes approximately 34 clincians, including 15 surgeons, and 11 advanced practice providers, plus a broad non-operative clincal provider team.
• High-volume platform with an estimated 46,000 billed visits and 4,000 surgical cases annually.
• First 12–18 months priorities include building trust, aligning compensation models, strengthening quality metrics, and standardizing patient access across departments.
• Research is a core pillar: expand programs in outcomes, safety, and clinical innovation through mentorship and strategic investment.

Qualifications:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or equivalent degree.
• Board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery.
• Eligible for medical licensure in North Carolina.
• Qualified for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
• Established record and national reputation for academic achievement and scholarly contribution.
• Demonstrated success leading within complex, matrixed health care organizations.
• Strong business, operational, and culture-building leadership capabilities.
• Ability to build consensus and foster collaboration across departments and health system stakeholders.

The Spine Division at Duke Health is a recognized leader in delivering comprehensive, personalized care for patients with spinal conditions. Our team combines unmatched experience with cutting-edge therapies and surgical expertise to help patients live healthier, pain-free lives. Learn more about the Duke Spine Division. 

Duke Health offers a robust compensation plan that rewards clinical productivity. Faculty members enjoy Duke benefits including generous retirement contributions, health insurance, CME, relocation, and college tuition assistance for dependent children.

The Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill is a growing region where two million residents experience diverse opportunities to grow their careers and enjoy life. From urban to suburban and rural family settings, the Triangle area has options for every lifestyle. Learn more about the Triangle

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

PLEASE NOTE: To be considered for this position, please attach your CV, select SUBMIT APPLICATION, and complete the application questions.