Chair, Department of Psychiatry

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (OUCOM) seeks a bold, mission-driven, and forward-thinking leader to serve as the next Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Clinical Service Chief in the health system (OU Health). This is a unique opportunity for a builder to grow and develop a department poised for transformation. The next Chair will guide the department through strategic expansion, modernize operations, address workforce shortages, establish a research portfolio, and cultivate a welcoming and supportive culture. The ideal candidate will bring an inspirational vision that unifies the department’s clinical, research, and educational efforts and elevates its impact across Oklahoma and beyond.

As the state’s flagship academic health center, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is home to seven health professional colleges and serves as a hub for education, research, and patient care across the region. The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is the largest entity within the Center and the cornerstone of OU Health, and it is undergoing dynamic growth under new leadership, with recent investments in new departments, programs, and senior roles. Within this energized environment, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences plays a vital role in advancing behavioral health across the lifespan and across the state.

This is a moment of extraordinary opportunity for the department. In December 2026, OU Health will open the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Behavioral Health Center, the state’s first dedicated pediatric mental health facility, marking a historic investment in youth mental health. For the department, the Center represents a strategic platform to expand clinical reach, strengthen training programs, and develop innovative models of care while advancing investigation. At the same time, Oklahoma faces urgent behavioral health challenges: nearly one in four residents reports symptoms of depression; suicide rates, especially among youth and in rural areas, are among the highest in the nation; and the state ranks 33^rd in the country for access to mental health services.

With strong institutional support and a clear mandate for change, the department is well-positioned to make a major impact on the health of the state. The next Chair will have the opportunity to shape a cohesive departmental vision, strengthen research infrastructure, enhance clinical operations and training, and foster meaningful community partnerships, particularly with rural and tribal communities. Starting with populations most in need, this is a chance to build lasting impact and position the department as a national model for integrated, community-responsive mental health care.

Applicants must be board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry, eligible for academic appointment in the department as an associate professor or professor, and demonstrate significant leadership in academic psychiatry. The ideal candidate will bring experience managing complex clinical systems, aligning strategy with institutional goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-oklahoma-health-sciences-center-college-medicine/chair-department. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

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The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.