Description
Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery
The University of California, Irvine (UCI), in partnership with Korn Ferry, announces a national search for the Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery.
The Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery reports to the Dean of the School of Medicine and is responsible for the effective management of all administrative and operational processes of the Department, providing comprehensive clinical services while supporting the teaching, educational, and research missions of the Department, School of Medicine, and University. This is a unique opportunity to join a top-ranked university and nationally recognized academic department. The new Chair will build upon the strong foundation established by the Department's founding Chair, leveraging the talents of its faculty, staff, trainees, and researchers to further strengthen the Department's academic, clinical, and research programs and enhance its national reputation.
With 10 faculty providers and 25 residents and fellows, the Department of Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive expertise across the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including aesthetic, craniofacial, microsurgery, hand, burn, cancer-related reconstruction, lymphedema, peripheral nerve, brachial plexus, and gender-affirming surgery. Faculty are committed to outstanding clinical care, education, research, and community service while advancing innovation through multidisciplinary collaboration. The Department fully embraces and celebrates the mission of the UCI School of Medicine: Discover. Teach. Heal.
Faculty provide care across UCI Health practice locations in Orange, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Tustin and participate in multidisciplinary clinics that coordinate care across specialties. Recent growth includes multidisciplinary breast and hand programs, with continued expansion planned for peripheral nerve, upper extremity, craniofacial, microvascular, and lymphedema services.
The UCI Plastic Surgery Residency Program was founded in 1969 and began offering integrated residency positions in 2005. The Department achieved departmental status in 2013 and currently trains 22 residents while offering fellowships in Craniofacial Surgery, Microsurgery, and Aesthetic Surgery. Trainees receive broad exposure to all aspects of plastic surgery including craniofacial surgery, advanced microsurgery, hand surgery, brachial plexus reconstruction, lymphedema management, breast reconstruction, aesthetics, and gender-affirming surgery.
The Department maintains an active translational research enterprise through the UCI Center for Tissue Engineering (CTE). Faculty collaborate with investigators across the School of Medicine and the Samueli School of Engineering on regenerative medicine, adipose-derived stem cells, wound healing, scar control, cartilage engineering, biomaterials, and medical device development. Research programs emphasize moving discoveries from bench to bedside through multidisciplinary collaboration.
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Ranked among the nation's leading medical schools for research, the UCI School of Medicine is dedicated to advancing medical knowledge through research, education, and high-quality clinical care. Home to 24 academic departments and more than 1,900 faculty members, the School educates more than 500 medical students and trains more than 750 residents and fellows annually through UCI Health and affiliated institutions.
UCI Health is Orange County's only academic health system and comprises a 1,461-bed integrated health system including UCI Medical Center in Orange, the new UCI Health – Irvine campus, four community hospitals, and multiple ambulatory care centers throughout the region. The health system continues to expand through significant investments in clinical care, research, and education, including the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building and the new Irvine medical campus. Scheduled for July 2026, UCI Health will also be opening a 68,000-square-foot Rehabilitation Hospital in partnership with Lifepoint Rehabilitation. Located in Irvine, the facility will function as a stand-alone hospital with 52 beds and is structurally designed for the needs of patients receiving acute inpatient care for stroke, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, amputation, and other injuries and disorders.
1. Overall responsibility, authority and reporting relationship
The responsibilities and authority of the Department Chair are established by the Dean of the School of Medicine with the concurrence of the Chief Executive Officer for UCI Health. The Chair serves at the discretion of the Dean and reports primarily and directly to the Dean. The Chair also works collaboratively with the President/CEO of UCI Health regarding the Department's clinical operations. Important collaborative relationships include, but are not limited to, the Vice Dean of Faculty/Clinical Affairs, the Vice Deans for Research and Education, other department chairs, institute and center directors, and UCI Health leadership.
The Chair is responsible for the strategic planning and overall direction of the Department, ensuring alignment with the missions and strategic priorities of the School of Medicine and UCI Health. Clinical department chairs shall comply with the Medical Staff Bylaws and all applicable University and UCI Health policies.
2. Faculty
The Chair is responsible for the recruitment, appointment, development, evaluation, compensation, and retention of faculty in alignment with the strategic priorities of the School of Medicine and UCI Health. In accordance with University policy, the Chair nominates faculty for appointment, advancement, promotion, and merit review, while fostering an environment that supports mentorship, collaboration, professional growth, and academic excellence.
The Chair oversees faculty activities across the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of the Department and is accountable for faculty productivity and academic performance.
The Chair is responsible for promoting teamwork, collaboration, and transparency within the Department and across the School of Medicine and UCI Health. Particular emphasis should be placed on strengthening multidisciplinary partnerships that advance clinical care, education, and translational research.
4. Educational and training programs
The Chair is responsible for the Department's medical student, residency, fellowship, and continuing medical education programs. Working closely with residency and fellowship program directors, the Chair ensures the continued excellence of the Department's educational programs, supports innovation in surgical education, and promotes recruitment and development of outstanding trainees.
The Chair works collaboratively with the Vice Dean for Education and Graduate Medical Education leadership to advance institutional educational priorities and maintain accreditation standards.
The Chair is responsible for fostering a vibrant research enterprise that advances basic, translational, and clinical investigation. Working closely with Department faculty and the Vice Deans for Research, the Chair will promote interdisciplinary collaborations, expand extramural funding opportunities, recruit research-focused faculty, and strengthen partnerships across the School of Medicine, the UCI Center for Tissue Engineering, and the broader University.
6. Patient care programs
The Chair serves as the clinical leader of the Department and works closely with the Dean, UCI Health executive leadership, and Medical Staff leadership to ensure the delivery of outstanding patient care. The Chair is responsible for maintaining appropriate standards of care, supporting quality improvement initiatives, promoting programmatic growth, and expanding multidisciplinary clinical services across Plastic Surgery.
The Chair will continue to advance nationally recognized programs in reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, breast reconstruction, burn reconstruction, and lymphedema surgery while supporting continued growth across the UCI Health enterprise.
The Chair is responsible for the planning, allocation, and effective utilization of departmental space in support of the Department's clinical, educational, research, and administrative missions. The Chair works collaboratively with School of Medicine and UCI Health leadership to identify future space needs and ensure that departmental resources are used efficiently and strategically.
The Chair is responsible for the financial affairs and long-term fiscal stability of the Department, including budget development, financial oversight, resource allocation, management/leadership of the Department’s compensation plan, and strategic planning. The Chair will ensure that departmental resources, including Clinical Integration revenue, are aligned with institutional priorities while supporting growth across the Department's clinical, educational, and research missions.
The Chair works collaboratively with School of Medicine and UCI Health leadership to identify opportunities for programmatic growth, operational efficiency, philanthropy, and other strategic initiatives that strengthen the Department's financial position.
9. Remuneration of departmental personnel
The Chair is responsible for recommending faculty compensation, including base salary and incentive compensation, in accordance with University of California policies, the Health Sciences Compensation Plan, and School of Medicine guidelines. Recommendations should recognize individual contributions to the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of the Department.
10. Cultural values of the institution
The Chair serves as a role model for the cultural values of UCI Health and the School of Medicine and is expected to foster a culture grounded in accountability, respect, integrity, innovation, service, and excellence. The Chair will promote an environment characterized by collaboration, transparency, professionalism, mentorship, and mutual respect while supporting organizational priorities and advancing a culture where faculty, trainees, and staff can thrive.
11. Community engagement and philanthropy
The Chair will work collaboratively with University Advancement, community partners, industry, alumni, and philanthropic supporters to strengthen the Department's missions of discovery, education, and patient care. The Chair is expected to cultivate relationships that enhance the Department's visibility, expand philanthropic support, and create opportunities for continued programmatic growth and innovation.
- MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree.
- Board certification in Plastic Surgery.
- Eligible for, or currently hold, a medical license in the State of California.
- Meet requirements for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in an appropriate Health Sciences or Clinical X faculty series.
- Leadership skills and vision for advancing the clinical, educational, and research missions of the Department of Plastic Surgery.
- Strong record of scholarly achievement demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, research productivity, and, preferably, extramural funding.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty, trainees, and staff.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style with the ability to work effectively across a complex academic health system.
- A distinguished record of leadership within an academic medical center.
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research, and service.
- Experience fostering multidisciplinary clinical and research collaborations.
- Experience leading strategic growth initiatives and program development.
- Demonstrated commitment to faculty development, mentorship, and succession planning.
- An enterprise-minded approach with the ability to balance departmental priorities with those of the School of Medicine and UCI Health.
Application Procedures
Interested applicants are invited to complete an online application profile and upload their curriculum vitae electronically through the University of California, Irvine Academic Personnel Recruit system. Initial application materials must include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlights the applicant’s personal vision and relevant leadership experience. To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted electronically in confidence, to: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10156.
The following materials constitute a complete application:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Current and Future Research Plans
- Teaching Statement – See guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement
- Reference requirements – Three (3) references (contact information only)
For general inquiries, nominations, or to learn more about the position, please contact Julie Mozes, MBA at Korn Ferry - julie.mozes@kornferry.com. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled.
This position is being recruited in the following faculty titles. Appointment in the appropriate title series will be based upon the candidate's qualifications.
Criteria for the Professor in the Health Sciences Series:
Health Sciences Clinical Professor series faculty engage in scholarly or creative activities which derive from and support their primary responsibilities in clinical teaching and professional and service activities.
Criteria for the Professor of Clinical "X" Series:
The incumbent will be expected to conduct substantial and meaningful research; teach residents and medical students; have clinical care responsibilities; and perform public and University service. Excellence in teaching, clinical expertise, or research is an essential criterion for appointment in this series. Priority will be given to candidates with a proven track record of academic productivity, as demonstrated through high-impact publications, thematic-based research, and/or grant funding.
Salary
The salary range for this position is $900,000 to $950,000. The selected candidate will be eligible for a 15% Chair Incentive, guaranteed for the first two years of the appointment. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Professorial Series (Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, In Residence, Ladder Rank) and Professor of Teaching Series – Health Sciences Compensation Plan. This position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan, which provides eligibility for additional compensation.
The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. A recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity, UCI is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, supports work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies, and is dedicated to broadening participation in higher education.
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, 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
As a University employee, the selected candidate will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
