The School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) at the University of Rochester is recruiting the first permanent chair for its Department of Health Humanities & Bioethics. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to set and implement a vision for the collective work of the department and its important roles across the institution, our community, and nationally.

For the last century, the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry has excelled in preparing lifelong learners who lead the way in global healthcare, research, and education. Our interrelated missions of patient care, education, research, and community partnerships are led by faculty members at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovations in education and clinical care. We also are dedicated to cultivating a just, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.

The new Department was formed out of a previous, longstanding Division of Medical Humanities & Bioethics, which led humanities and bioethics efforts across the University of Rochester Medical Center and the University. In creating the Department, the name was changed to Health Humanities to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of its efforts. The new Department also incorporates the Paul M. Schyve, MD Center for Bioethics; the chair will recommend to the Dean the person to serve as Center Director, with an option to serve in both roles simultaneously.

The Department applies perspectives from the humanities, arts, ethics, and contemplative sciences to understand person-centered relationships and social, cultural, and moral contexts in healthcare. The academic fields include literature, history, literature, philosophy ethics, law, critical studies in gender, race, disabilities, culture, and religion, as well as performing and visual arts and values-based social sciences. Through clinical, educational, and scholarly efforts, the Department advances the biopsychosocial approach initially developed by SMD faculty members. The medical center, University, and broader Rochester region offer many unique resources for collaborative initiatives.

Overseeing all departmental activities, the chair has direct oversight of financial and human resources and will be accountability for the department’s financial performance. The chair will develop and execute a strategic plan to lead targeted, robust growth. The chair will strive to strengthen the missions and excellence of the department with recruitment, retention, development, and support of outstanding faculty and staff to enhance the department’s national reputation.

Qualifications Include:

• Doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to the Department’s and Center’s missions, which include clinical fields, humanities, bioethics, and/or social sciences.
• If the candidate is a clinician and intends to provide patient care, must be eligible for professional licensure in the State of New York and appointment to their discipline’s clinical staff at Strong Memorial Hospital
• Educational and scholarship achievements (and, if a clinician, achievements in clinical care) that qualify for appointment to the faculty of the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor depending on experience and accomplishments
• Prior leadership experience and accomplishments are highly desirable

The key qualifications for this position are a record of excellence in health humanities and/or bioethics based on accomplishments in education, scholarship, and (for some) patient care or consultation. A strong track record fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, which may include scholarship in these areas, also is highly desirable. We seek an innovative, energetic, and visionary leader who can position the department as a national leader in health humanities and bioethics. An ideal candidate has the skills and experiences needed to build the department in alignment with URMC’s Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan.

For inquiries or to apply, please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae directly to:

Jeffrey M. Lyness, MD

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs – University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry

Jeffrey_Lyness@urmc.rochester.edu

For more information on the department: http://urmc.rochester.edu/medical-humanities.aspx

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

The University of Rochester Medical Center is made up of many parts, all devoted to providing highly advanced medical care. Our Mission of “Ever Better” means we improve the well-being of patients and communities by delivering innovative, compassionate, patient and family-centered healthcare, enriched by education, science and technology. Our Vision is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment that guides and transforms our approaches to healthcare, education, research and community partnerships.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. The University believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances the performance of our organization and our ability to fulfill our important missions. The University is committed to fostering and supporting an environment inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other non-merit fact, so that all employees feel included, equally valued and supported.