Description

Dean of the Medical School and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs

Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), a distinguished private academic health sciences institution committed to improving health through education, research, patient care, and community engagement, invites applications and nominations for the Dean of the Medical School and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs (EVP). This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead Wisconsin's only private medical schools with three dynamic campuses at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. 

Since its founding in 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin has been a cornerstone of academic medicine, pioneering innovative models of medical training that remain at the forefront of medical education today. The Medical School now educates more than 1,050 medical students annually across three distinctive campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin—each designed to address the unique healthcare needs of its region while maintaining MCW's commitment to excellence. This multi-campus model extends MCW's reach across the state and provides unparalleled training environments in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The school sponsors 99 ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs training over 900 physicians annually, with nearly 60 percent of graduates remaining in Wisconsin to practice, directly addressing critical workforce needs across the state.

MCW is one of five medical schools in the nation to receive the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, given to programs that excel in fostering meaningful, sustained partnerships with communities locally and globally. The institution's commitment to community engagement extends beyond traditional academic medicine through consequential initiatives like ThriveOn King, a comprehensive community development program addressing health disparities in Milwaukee's central city neighborhoods, and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, which has strategically invested over $368 million in community-driven health improvement initiatives across the state.

MCW sits at the heart of a thriving academic health ecosystem on the 240-acre Milwaukee Regional  Medical Center campus, which it shares with Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, and Versiti Blood Research Institute. This integrated campus environment is further enhanced by MCW's strong partnership with the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, located four miles away, creating a comprehensive academic medical center that delivers cutting-edge patient care and advances discovery across the lifespan.

The School's research excellence positions MCW in the top half of U.S. medical schools for NIH funding, with over $424 million invested in research and training in 2024, including $107.5 million in NIH funding. MCW leads Wisconsin with more than 1,200 clinical trials and 5,000 research studies conducted in 2024, ranking in the top 40 nationally for clinical trial activity, translating scientific discoveries into patient impact. This powerful integration of education, research, and clinical care—supported by robust infrastructure, including 14 research centers and institutes—creates a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.

The next Dean & EVP will be a visible, collaborative systems thinker with a growth mindset who can navigate complexity, foster alignment, and inspire a talented community of physicians, researchers, staff, and students. Reporting to the President and CEO and working collaboratively with the Provost, the Dean & EVP will play a key role in clinical growth strategy, defining a stronger alignment with hospital partners while also serving as an effective advocate for the criticality of all of MCW’s missions, capable of inspiring philanthropy, strengthening partnerships, and elevating the School’s profile nationally. This leader will champion academic, clinical, and scientific excellence while fostering an inclusive culture that attracts and retains diverse talent. As Executive Vice President of Health Affairs, the Dean has oversight of the physician practice plans and holds a seat on MCW’s Board of Trustees. Candidates must hold an MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent clinical doctoral degree; demonstrate a record of scholarly achievement commensurate with appointment as a tenured professor; and be eligible for medical licensure in Wisconsin. Above all, the ideal candidate leads with integrity and emotional intelligence, communicates openly, and builds trust across the complex academic health ecosystem.

MCW has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website at this link. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Jamie Sands, Partner

Katie White, Senior Associate

Lily Sethares, Senior Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

The Medical College of Wisconsin is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.