Dean, Mark and Mary Stevens School of Medicine

to reimagine physician education at the intersection of academic excellence, healthcare innovation, and human-centered care.

Founded through a partnership between Santa Clara University, California's oldest institution of higher education, and Sutter Health, one of the nation's largest integrated not-for-profit health systems, the School is being created to address critical physician workforce shortages while preparing future physicians to lead healthcare transformation. The medical school will combine Santa Clara University's Jesuit commitment to educating leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion with Sutter Health's extensive clinical, educational, and research infrastructure to create a distinctly contemporary model of medical education.

The Founding Dean will have a rare opportunity to shape this new medical school, from vision and culture to curriculum, faculty, governance, and institutional strategy. Working alongside leaders from both Santa Clara University and Sutter Health, the Dean will guide the School through accreditation, recruit leaders and educators, build strategic partnerships, and establish a nationally recognized institution designed for the future of medicine. The successful candidate will inherit strong momentum, including a historic $175 million naming gift from Mark and Mary Stevens, the largest cash gift in the history of Santa Clara University or Sutter Health and the largest ever received by Catholic higher education.

As healthcare undergoes unprecedented change, advances in artificial intelligence, digital health, precision medicine, data analytics, and team-based care are redefining how physicians deliver care and engage with patients. At the same time, persistent physician shortages, widening health disparities, technological advances and increasing complexity across the healthcare landscape demand new approaches to medical education. The Mark & Mary Stevens School of Medicine seeks to prepare physicians who are grounded in humanity, shaped by innovation, and deeply committed to serving individuals, families, and communities.

This is a career-defining opportunity for an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader who is energized by institution building, inspired by innovation, and committed to advancing healthcare through education, research, and service. The Founding Dean will help establish a medical school designed not only to educate excellent physicians, but also to influence how medicine is practiced and healthcare is delivered for generations to come.

The ideal candidate will hold an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with credentials appropriate for academic rank at the level of full professor and will be board certified or board eligible. They will bring substantial leadership experience in academic medicine or a related environment, along with substantial leadership experience in complex organizations that integrate education, research, and clinical care. The Founding Dean should bring extensive leadership and experience with LCME accreditation and deep knowledge of compliance requirements for medical education programs as well as knowledge of contemporary medical education trends. Demonstrated success managing large budgets, recruiting and retaining faculty and specialty physicians, and engaging external stakeholders, including government leaders and community partners, is essential.

WittKieffer is assisting the Mark & Mary Stevens School of Medicine with this important recruitment. For confidential nominations or expressions of interest, please contact the search consultant team of Kimberly Smith, Aaron Mitra, and Alana Penley at apenley@wittkieffer.com.

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. This position offers a base salary in the range of $900,000-$975,000. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and skills relevant to the role.

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