Chair, Department of Dermatology
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 23, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Oct 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
As the leader, architect, and chief advocate for the Department of Dermatology, the Chair will lead across the missions of clinical care, research, education, and outreach to the community. They will lead and develop the Department faculty and staff, nurturing the current talent and attracting and recruiting future members to develop a culture of excellence and expand its service and scholarly output. The Chair will foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the SOM, UC Davis Health, its other clinical partners, as well as external constituents, encouraging creativity to advance the field of dermatology. This person will be charged with leading and enhancing the current research portfolio and securing funding from a broad landscape of federal, state, and local agencies, industry partners, and philanthropic organizations. Strategic leadership will be key, especially in guiding the clinical enterprise as it expands to meet evolving healthcare demands. With a focus on maximizing departmental performance and financial sustainability, this leader will ensure that both clinical and academic missions are advanced in concert.
The incoming Chair will be responsible for:
- Shaping and communicating a clear vision and operational strategy to enhance departmental efficiency, service quality, and innovation. In close collaboration with SOM and health system leadership, they will refresh and execute a strategic plan aligned with institutional goals and priorities.
- Leading the growth and integration of high-performing clinical programs that position the Department as the region’s premier dermatology provider.
- Inspiring and supporting faculty, staff, and trainees, emphasizing professional development and recruitment of exceptional talent.
- Providing oversight of the Department’s research portfolio, mentoring faculty, and championing interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Maintaining robust performance and quality oversight for all clinical providers in the Department, while cultivating an environment of trust, transparency, and accountability, and driving for the highest metrics in clinical quality.
- Ensuring excellence in the educational programs provided by and supported by the Department.
- Fostering strategic partnerships across the SOM, UC Davis Health, and broader communities, aligning research and clinical initiatives with institutional priorities.
- Overseeing departmental budgeting and financial sustainability, encouraging responsible stewardship of resources.
Advocating for the Department within the greater UC Davis institution, locally and nationally, and serving as its representative and spokesperson.
Expectations and responsibilities as an Academic Senate faculty member include: a. Clinical service in the area of specialty, as applicable. b. Teach medical students, residents, and fellows. c. Conduct bench/clinical/translational research leading to peer-reviewed publication. d. University and professional service. Further expectations are determined by faculty series.
To see the full position description and to apply visit https://ucrecruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07271.
Qualifications
- M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. from an accredited institution.
- Board certification in dermatology and eligibility for California medical licensure.
- A distinguished academic career that qualifies for appointment to Associate Professor or Professor within the UC Davis School of Medicine.
- Recognized nationally or internationally for contributions to clinical care, research, and education in dermatology.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in academic medicine or medical school administration.
- Proven ability to collaborate within complex academic and healthcare environments.
- Strong grasp of academic healthcare operations and commitment to patient-centered excellence.
- Financial acumen within healthcare and academic administration.
- Successful track record in recruiting and mentoring faculty at all career stages.
- Experience building external networks and fostering institutional relationships.
- Collaborative and uses a team-based approach to growth in clinical and academic settings.
- Passion for excellence in patient care, education, research, and service to the community.
- Visionary leadership with the ability to guide teams through change.
- Values and trusts faculty and staff; leads without excessive supervision.
- Supportive and protective of their teams.
- Strong business acumen and an up-to-date understanding of the changing landscape within academic healthcare in the U.S.
- Ability to balance competing priorities and lead across all missions of the Department.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Authorization to Release Information - A reference check will be completed only if you are
selected as the first choice candidate. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form:
https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/your-resources/forms-and-checklists/forms/ARF.pdfAuthorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
- 5 required (contact information only)
References will only be contacted regarding those candidates who advance to final consideration for the position and will not be reviewed unless needed. Candidates will be notified prior to the university initiating reference contact.
Help contact: essantizo@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
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