Regional Dean, Rockford Campus

The University of Illinois College of Medicine seeks an outstanding physician executive and medical education leader to serve as the next Regional Dean for its Rockford campus. This is a pivotal opportunity to guide a nationally recognized campus with a vital rural health mission and enduring community partnerships. In addition to advancing educational excellence, the Regional Dean will be uniquely positioned to influence public health, expand access to care, and improve health outcomes across the region and state by leveraging the campus’s deep connections with community leaders and public health officials. The Regional Dean will play a central role in shaping the campus’s strategic direction, strengthening academic and clinical partnerships, and elevating its visibility across Illinois and beyond.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine (UICOM) is one of the largest and most diverse medical schools in the country, with campuses in Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford. Each campus contributes uniquely to the College’s mission to advance health through education, research, clinical care, and social responsibility. The UICOM Rockford campus (UICOMR) operates with the support of the broader University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) system while maintaining the autonomy to address regional needs and drive local innovation. Located in northern Illinois, the campus is part of the UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford and serves as a hub for interdisciplinary learning and community-based medical education. Since its founding in 1971, UICOMR has grown in scope and impact, becoming a four-year medical campus in 2017. Today, the campus hosts approximately 224 undergraduate medical education students and several dozen trainees.

Reporting to the Executive Dean of UICOM, the Regional Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Rockford campus. This strategic leadership role calls for integrity, vision, and experience in navigating complex educational landscapes. As demand for physicians grows across Northern Illinois, the Regional Dean will strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce by fostering innovative partnerships with affiliate organizations and aligning educational and clinical missions. A highly visible and trusted community leader, the Regional Dean will oversee faculty recruitment and development, drive innovation in medical education and research, and ensure the campus’s financial and operational sustainability. With a commitment to student-centered learning, community engagement, and expanding access to care, the incoming Regional Dean will have the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives that not only prepare the next generation of physicians but also improve health and well-being across Illinois. In doing so, the Regional Dean will address a number of key opportunities and challenges:  

• Drive a bold and strategic vision for the future of UICOMR
• Recruit and retain faculty committed to medical education and community health
• Strengthen clinical partnerships to expand the UICOMR footprint
• Lead strategic growth and modernization of the UICOMR campus
• Foster a culture of collaboration, equity, and community impact

The expected salary range for this position is $450,000 to $500,000. Located in northern Illinois along the Rock River, Rockford is a city on the rise—an increasingly vibrant and affordable community with a growing population, a revitalized downtown, and a deep commitment to inclusive progress. Under Mayor Tom McNamara’s leadership since 2017, Rockford has seen significant progress: eight consecutive balanced budgets, major capital investments, and a declining crime rate. The city’s population is growing for the first time in decades, and new businesses are being attracted. Rockford combines the energy of a major city with the agility of a close-knit community. Its size allows for rapid collaboration across sectors, making it a place where community leaders can drive meaningful change. Families enjoy a nationally recognized park district, a revitalized riverfront, and year-round cultural and recreational activities—from live music and festivals to hiking, biking, and off-road vehicle trails. The city’s civic and business leaders are deeply engaged in advancing health equity, mental health access, and neighborhood revitalization through innovative public-private partnerships. Rockford is conveniently located within driving distance of several major cities—approximately 90 minutes to Chicago, 75 minutes to Madison, and just under 2 hours to the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa.

The University of Illinois, Chicago College of Medicine has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process/until the position is filled. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see below. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Jay Torio is leading this search with Evan Layne, Kathy Martinez, and Maria Peña. 

As an EOE/AA employer, the University of Illinois encourages applications from individuals regardless of an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, and Veteran or disability status.