Chair/Chief/Department Head - Department of Surgery

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), invite applications for the position of Chair/Chief/Department Head of the Department of Surgery.

The Department of Surgery has over 100 surgeons and scientists, one basic science graduate degree program, and seven Royal College academic training programs; enrolling over 160 trainees at various levels. The Department is comprised of eight Divisions: Cardiac Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Urology. Notwithstanding Paediatric Surgery, each Division has an active post-graduate residency training program. In addition there are four sub-units tied to one or more Divisions: The Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC) based at St. Joseph’s Health Care, London; the Multi-Organ Transplant Program based at University Hospital; the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic based on Western’s campus; and the Trauma Program based at Victoria Hospital.

The Chair/Chief/Department Head will:

• Provide the vision to expand on the department’s strengths of integrating teaching, research and current evidence into clinical practice in partnership with the university, the affiliated research institutes and both academic hospital organizations.
• Be a strong leader, administrator and communicator, with the ability to advocate for the department’s mission and goals alongside partners and the community.
• Provide responsible and accountable clinical academic leadership within the university and both hospital organizations
• Be prepared to work collaboratively with basic and clinical scientists to build innovative, integrated and translational research identified as signature areas in the strategic plans of Western University and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, as well as both hospital organizations.

Western University delivers an excellent academic experience, attracting individuals with a broad worldview, who are seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. Western challenges the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Western’s research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities.

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry boasts a vibrant academic community with over 2,700 full- and parttime faculty members. Demonstrating its dedication to advancing knowledge, the School secured more than $175 million in research funding. With a total student population of 4,300 across all programs, the institution serves a diverse group engaged in fields such as medicine, dentistry, medical sciences, neuroscience, and public health. This breadth reflects Schulich’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to education and research.

London Health Sciences Centre is a tertiary care health complex, providing comprehensive care to a large and geographically extended population of approximately 1.2 million people. This includes the City of London with a metropolitan census of 530,000 persons. LHSC is one of Canada’s largest acute-care and, research-intensive academic hospitals, with nearly 15,000 physicians, staff, students, scientists, and volunteers, LHSC is recognized for its exceptional patient care and health care advancement through innovative partnerships, teaching excellence, cutting-edge research and a rich history of national and international medical firsts.

St. Joseph’s Health Care London focuses upon exceptional patient care and healthcare advancement through innovative partnerships, teaching excellence, breakthrough research and a rich history of national and international medical firsts. St. Joseph’s key role areas, across five main sites include acute/ambulatory care (including sexual assault and domestic violence, infectious diseases, chronic disease management, urgent care, same day and short stay surgery including hand and upper limb, ophthalmology, breast care and urology, and medical imaging and theranostics). Other St. Joseph’s sites support complex care, veterans care, long-term care, rehabilitation, specialized geriatrics and specialized mental health care. Renowned for compassionate care, St. Joseph’s has a distinguished legacy of service and clinical excellence and innovation dating back more than 150 years. 

Fully affiliated with Western University and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, LHSC and St. Joseph’s collectively support the training of more than 1,800 health care professionals per year.

Both St. Joseph’s and LHSC are known as integral parts of the London community, offering state-of-the-art care for the patients they serve.

The successful candidate must be an accomplished clinician with an MD or equivalent, be eligible to be certified as a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and eligible for College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario registration for licensure in the Province of Ontario. Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience and will be composed primarily of the following sources: fee for service, alternate funding plan, and academic support. An established track record of research productivity, leadership experience in research, and relevant educational qualifications would be an asset.

The successful candidate will hold a full-time continuing Clinical Academic appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The Chair/Chief/Department Head position will have an initial five-year term, normally renewable once, and is subject to a mid-term review. Academic rank will be based on qualifications and experience.

Interested candidates should submit an application including a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three references, and ensure that the form available at: http://uwo.ca/facultyrelations/physicians/Application_FullTime_Clinical.pdf is included with your application to:

Dr. John Yoo, Dean
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University

Dr. Adam Dukelow, Integrated Vice President Medical & Academic Affairs London Health Sciences Centre
St. Joseph’s Health Care London

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
London, Ontario N6A 5C1, FAX: (519) 850-2357; selection.committee@schulich.uwo.ca

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applicants will begin August 22, 2025. The anticipated start date is to be negotiated.

Business Addresses:
Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, N., London, Ontario N6A 5B8, www.uwo.ca 
London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road E., London Ontario, N6A 5W9, www.lhsc.on.ca 
St. Joseph’s Health Care London, 268 Grosvenor Street, London Ontario, N6A 4V2, www.sjhc.london.on.ca 

Successful candidates will be required to comply with the policies and protocols of the applicable affiliated institutions.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Selection Committee Coordinators at selection.committee@schulich.uwo.ca phone 519-661-2111 ext. 88141.

Posting number: 2025-004-CL