Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Heersink School of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
Position Overview
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks an experienced, visionary academic orthopaedic surgeon to lead as Chief of the Section of Joint Reconstruction. This role encompasses the full breadth of hip and knee arthroplasty, including primary replacements, complex revision procedures, limb preservation efforts and non-operative arthritis management. Reporting to the Department Chair, the Chief will provide strategic direction for clinical operations, education, research/innovation and faculty development across the Joint Reconstruction Section. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader able to build programs, recruit top-tier faculty, expand fellowship training, cultivate innovation through partnerships (engineering, biosciences, industry), and enhance the national reputation of the Section and Department.
Required Qualifications
MD or DO (or equivalent) with eligibility for Alabama medical licensure.
Board certification or board?eligibility in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Fellowship training in adult hip and knee reconstruction and/or limb preservation, with a minimum of five years post-fellowship clinical experience in adult joint reconstruction.
Demonstrated excellence in clinical outcomes in hip/knee arthroplasty, including primary and revision cases.
Academic productivity evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, research involvement, external funding and participation in professional societies.
Leadership experience in an academic health-care environment: program/section oversight, faculty mentoring, strategic planning, multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical operations management.
Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills with ability to work across departments, health-system leadership, industry partners and national societies.
Entrepreneurial mindset and interest in innovation: implant/device development, biomechanics, data analytics, outcomes research and translation of research into clinical practice.
Preferred Qualifications:
Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor (or eligibility) commensurate with credentials.
National recognition in adult hip & knee reconstruction (e.g., leadership roles in professional societies such as the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons).
Experience with complex revision arthroplasty, limb?salvage procedures or advanced outpatient joint care models.
Record of successful external research funding and/or industry–academic innovation partnerships.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in faculty recruitment, training and patient care.
Key Selling Points – Department & Opportunity
The UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is a nationally-recognized academic program dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, and research. Under the leadership of Steven M. Theiss, M.D., the Department comprises approximately 32 full-time faculty and 11 clinical adjunct faculty across eight orthopaedic subspecialty sections.
The Department offers a broad, high-volume clinical platform—including trauma, sports medicine, spine, oncology, pediatric orthopaedics and joint reconstruction—providing a strong foundation for growth and innovation.
The Section of Joint Reconstruction is anchored in a high-impact clinical program (ranked No. 1 in Alabama for joint replacement care) and brings a strong multidisciplinary infrastructure, significant referral base, and established research/innovation collaborations.
A robust educational environment: the Department hosts a five-year ACGME-accredited orthopaedic residency (30 residents) and one-year fellowships in key subspecialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, hand/upper extremity and foot/ankle.
Research & innovation strength: the Department engages in research spanning basic science, translational, clinical and outcomes work and is well-connected with engineering, biosciences and industry partners. The Section of Joint Reconstruction has a defined focus on translational hip/knee arthroplasty research, providing fertile ground for the incoming leader to grow funding, scholarship and innovation.
A unique leadership opportunity: the incoming Chief will join a program with strong infrastructure but substantial room for strategic growth—fellowship expansion, revision pathway development, care delivery innovation, and reputation building.
Location advantage: Birmingham, Alabama offers an attractive lifestyle—with moderate cost of living, strong cultural amenities, outdoor recreation, and easy access to major airports and major southeastern metro areas.
Institutional & Health-System Context
The UAB Health System is one of the largest and most dynamic academic health-care enterprises in the Southeastern United States. It integrates high-volume clinical care, leading-edge research, and robust educational programs across Alabama and beyond.
The flagship UAB Hospital in Birmingham is licensed for approximately 1,207 beds, offering tertiary, quaternary and subspecialty care at scale.
The Heersink School of Medicine secured more than $610 million in research funding in recent years, including nearly $274 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ranking among the top public medical schools nationally.
UAB expanded its footprint in 2024 through the acquisition of the Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System, adding multiple hospital campuses and outpatient clinics across central Alabama—significantly broadening referral geography, patient volume and regional reach. This infrastructure provides the Chief of Joint Reconstruction with a unique platform: high clinical volume, sophisticated care pathways, multidisciplinary teams, extensive referral network, strong research support and an environment positioned for growth and innovation.
How to Apply
The search is being conducted by Academic Med on behalf of the UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. For further information or to submit a confidential expression of interest, please contact:
Jim Hagood, Managing Director & Co?Founder, Academic Med
Gentry Zacheis, President & CEO, Academic Med
Interested candidates should submit:
A current curriculum vitae.
A cover letter outlining your leadership vision for the Section of Joint Reconstruction (clinical operations, research/innovation, education, growth strategies).
A statement of research interests/innovation agenda (optional but encouraged).
Names and contact information for at least three professional references.
Please submit materials via email to Academic Med at solsen@academic-med.com or through the Academic Med candidate portal. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from candidates from under?represented groups in academic medicine.
