Rush University
Dean, Rush Medical College

Rush University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean, Rush Medical College (RMC).

Chartered in 1837, RMC was Chicago's first health care institution and established the city’s first general hospital. Today RMC, along with its fully integrated $3.3B clinical enterprise, Rush University Medical Center, which includes hospitals in Aurora, Chicago, Oak Park, as well as over 30 outpatient sites, is dedicated to providing a fertile environment for nurturing physicians and physician-scientist leaders of the future. Under its new President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Robert S.D. Higgins, Rush is entering an exciting new era of strategic growth and active transformation. To meet RMC’s strategic objectives, Korn Ferry is pleased to partner with Rush University to conduct a national search for a distinguished academic physician leader to serve as its next Dean, Rush Medical College.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative and compelling physician leader whose passion for the educational, research, and clinical missions energize the faculty, students, and staff, focusing their efforts on a strategic vision of excellence in all missions. They will be committed to providing an outstanding student learning experience, ensuring success in the classroom and beyond. They will nurture research and assist in the continued growth of Rush’s translational health sciences research that is aligned with areas of clinical strength and community needs.

The new Dean will serve as the chief administrative and academic officer for RMC. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Dean will be charged with assisting with the development, implementation and articulating the College’s vision. They will work collaboratively to design and implement initiatives that further the success of the graduate medical student community and broaden the research portfolio across the enterprise. As a key partner to the president of the Rush Medical Group, the new Dean will ensure the College’s commitment to being community-focused, continuing to meet the needs of the people it serves. They will support an environment of accountability in assuring excellence in quality education, research excellence, customer service, employee engagement, as well as both faculty and student satisfaction. The ideal candidate is expected to be a highly respected physician/physician-scientist, to possess dynamic leadership skills and administrative expertise. They will have a strong educational background, a collaborative leadership style, an unwavering commitment to trainees and faculty mentorship and development, possess excellent communication skills, and be passionate about providing an exceptional student experience. Fundraising plays an important part in ensuring the College continues to thrive. The next Dean will have a track record of and/or interest in fund raising. Working to identify opportunities to expand philanthropic gifting, they will have the ability to attract and engage donors interested in advancing the important missions of the RMC and the Rush enterprise.

Qualified candidates will hold an MD, MD/PhD (or equivalent). Candidates must be board certified and eligible for licensure and clinical practice in the state of Illinois. Candidates must be eligible for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in the Rush Medical College.

Korn Ferry’s Academic Practice is assisting Rush University with this important search. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlights the applicant’s background and relevant leadership experience. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to: caroline.thompson@kornferry.com