Phoenix Children’s seeks a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative physician executive to serve as Surgeon-in-Chief (SIC) for one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing pediatric healthcare systems. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly respected independent pediatric health system and provide leadership across a growing surgical enterprise committed to excellence in patient care, research, education, advocacy, and innovation.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Surgeon-in-Chief will provide visionary clinical, academic, and operational leadership for surgical services across Phoenix Children’s. Working closely with physician, administrative, and research leaders, the SIC will advance the organization’s academic mission, strengthen surgical innovation, and enhance Phoenix Children’s national reputation as a destination for pediatric specialty care. This leader will ensure alignment across surgical programs while maintaining exceptional clinical outcomes, patient experience, and value.
The Surgeon-in-Chief will foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability, building strong relationships across the medical staff, leadership team, and academic partners. The successful candidate will champion initiatives that expand research productivity, enhance faculty and trainee recruitment, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevate Phoenix Children’s national visibility as a center of excellence in pediatric surgery. They will also lead efforts to expand ambulatory and regional surgical services, improve access, and develop innovative models of care that meet the needs of Arizona’s growing communities.
The ideal candidate will be a highly respected surgeon and accomplished physician executive with experience leading growth and transformation within complex pediatric or academic healthcare environments. They will possess strong clinical and research credentials, a broad understanding of surgical specialties, financial and operational acumen, and expertise in performance improvement. Outstanding communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, and unite multidisciplinary teams will be essential to advancing Phoenix Children’s mission and surgical enterprise.
For confidential nominations or expressions of interest, please contact the search consultant team of Rachel Polhemus and Fayth Hoecker at [email protected].