Chair, Department of Neurosurgery

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pitt) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) seek an accomplished and visionary leader of high emotional intelligence and operational excellence to serve as the Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. This is a consequential leadership opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most storied neurosurgery programs through a pivotal chapter of renewal and growth, supported by one of the country's most respected Schools of Medicine and one of its largest and most accomplished health systems.

The Department of Neurological Surgery is a large and complex academic enterprise. Comprising 45 clinical faculty (including 28 clinician scientists), 17 research-dedicated faculty, 70 advanced practice providers, 32 residents, and 5 fellows, the Department delivers neurosurgical care across a clinical network spanning more than a dozen hospital sites, from the quaternary academic core at UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside to regional centers serving communities across Pennsylvania and Maryland. It is one of the largest and most geographically extensive neurosurgery programs in the United States, with a training program that has produced prominent neurosurgical leaders, and a research enterprise that draws on one of the nation’s largest and most productive neuroscience investigator communities through strong interdisciplinary collaboration.

The next Chair joins at a defining inflection point. The Department has navigated a meaningful period of organizational change and is positioned for a new era of growth and momentum. The next Chair will inherit a department with exceptional strengths: a large, talented, and cohesive faculty; one of the largest neuroscience research communities in the United States; a deep and well-resourced residency program; and powerful institutional backing from both Pitt and UPMC, including a major new inpatient tower under construction at UPMC Presbyterian, focused on surgery and critical care, with intraoperative MRI suites—including MRI embedded in the Neuro-ICU—opening in late 2026. The next Chair will be a leader of exceptional caliber: a proven organizational leader with the gravitas to inspire, lead, and drive forward a productive and inclusive culture that values excellence, accountability, and the well-being of every member of the departmental and institutional community.

This leader will report directly to the Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and to the President of UPMC Physician Services for their clinical role, navigating the institution's structure with sophistication and integrity. They will bring both strong surgical credentials to earn the respect of a department known for clinical excellence and the managerial and interpersonal acumen to build trust across a complex, multi-site, multi-stakeholder environment. The Department's size, the scale of UPMC's enterprise, and the depth of opportunity make this among the most significant leadership roles in academic neurosurgery today.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below.

Ariannah Mirick is leading this search with Katie White and Madeleine Ruth.

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