Position Overview

Position Title
Chief, Section of Joint Reconstruction
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Heersink School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)

Position Summary

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UAB Heersink School of Medicine seeks a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint reconstruction to serve as the Chief of the Section of Joint Reconstruction. This is a full-time, open-rank position (tenure or non-tenure track depending on candidate strength and institutional fit). Rank, salary, and tenure status will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The successful candidate will provide outstanding patient care in hip, knee, and other joint reconstruction, lead and develop the Section of Joint Reconstruction, contribute to resident, fellow and medical student education, and engage in scholarly and research activities in line with the department’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

As Chief of the Section of Joint Reconstruction, the successful candidate will lead and shape the clinical, educational, research, and innovation missions of the Section. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Section of Joint Reconstruction, defining growth in hip/knee arthroplasty, revision/complex cases and limb-preservation.
• Establish and grow the fellowship program in adult hip/knee reconstruction & limb preservation, and participate in education of medical students, residents, fellows and referring physicians.
• Foster an environment of innovation and research: support translational studies, device/implant development, data analytics, and partnerships with engineering, biosciences, industry and clinical trial infrastructure.
• Oversee clinical operations to deliver high-quality outcomes: optimize care pathways, integrate perioperative/rehab/anesthesia services, ensure referral and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
• Mentor and develop faculty, staff and trainees; build a high‐performing team culture that advances patient care, education and research.
• Collaborate with the Department Chair, health-system leadership and stakeholders (including rehabilitation, imaging, perioperative services, referring physicians, industry) to align the Section with institutional and system goals.
• Represent the Section at the institutional, regional and national level: engage in professional societies, advocate for the Section’s mission, enhance its reputation for excellence in clinical care, research and education.
• Promote and sustain a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, continuous quality improvement and patient-centered care.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:

• MD or DO (or equivalent medical degree) and eligibility for medical licensure in Alabama.
• Board certification (or board-eligibility) in Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Fellowship training in adult hip and knee reconstruction (and/or limb preservation) with a minimum of 5 years of post-fellowship clinical practice in joint reconstruction.
• Demonstrated track record of high-quality clinical outcomes in hip and knee arthroplasty (including primary and revision cases).
• Evidence of academic productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, clinical or translational research involvement, and participation in professional societies.
• Leadership experience in an academic healthcare environment: program or section development, faculty recruitment/mentoring, operational oversight, and strategic planning.
• Commitment to the tripartite mission of academic medicine: excellence in patient care, research/innovation, and education/training.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines and with health system leadership.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in building and expanding programs, implementing new initiatives, and enhancing institutional reputation.

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record in academic medicine, research or scholarly activity (publications, presentations, leadership).
• Interest and experience in collaboration with engineering, biosciences, industry to advance joint reconstruction care (e.g., implant R&D, biomechanics, clinical registries).
• Dedication to innovation in clinical care and program development (establishing new service lines, optimizing value care, improving pathway efficiencies).

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a nationally recognized academic program committed 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.

Embedded in a dynamic academic health system, the Department offers a strategic platform for a leader to drive growth, recruit outstanding faculty, expand fellowships and training programs, build innovative clinical-research initiatives, and elevate institutional impact.

Clinical Care
The Department delivers comprehensive musculoskeletal services through major referral sites including UAB Highlands Hospital, UAB Hospital (The Kirklin Clinic), Children’s of Alabama, the Birmingham VA Medical Center, and regional outpatient clinics. With this broad referral network and integrated health-system infrastructure, faculty manage the full continuum of orthopaedic conditions—from elective joint replacement and sports medicine to complex trauma, spine, oncology, and limb-preservation surgery.

Education & Training
The Department offers a five-year ACGME-accredited orthopaedic residency program with six residents per year (30 total positions). One-year fellowship opportunities exist in key subspecialties: joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, hand & upper extremity, and foot & ankle. Faculty are deeply engaged in teaching medical students, mentoring residents and fellows, and advancing musculoskeletal medicine through innovation, scholarship and outcomes research.

Research & Innovation
Research and innovation are foundational to the Department’s identity. Faculty engage in basic science, translational and clinical research across multiple subspecialties and collaborate with UAB engineering, biosciences and industry partners. The Department’s infrastructure and strategic alliances support device/implant development, biomechanics analytics, and outcomes-driven initiatives—providing a strong platform for a leader to accelerate innovation, secure external funding, and translate discovery into improved patient care.

Section of Joint Reconstruction

The Section of Joint Reconstruction at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a dedicated, high-impact clinical-academic unit focused exclusively on hip and knee arthritis and related complex reconstructive cases. Our mission is to deliver world-class, compassionate, patient-centered care in a vibrant academic setting, while advancing the science of hip and knee arthroplasty through translational research and innovation.

Clinically, the Section operates as the surgical and academic engine of the UAB Joint Replacement & Treatment Program, which is ranked No. 1 in Alabama for joint replacement care. The Program delivers comprehensive treatment—from non-operative management to same-day arthroplasty, primary replacement, complex revision and limb-preservation. The breadth and depth of referral, the strength of multidisciplinary support, and the integrated health-system infrastructure provide an outstanding platform for growth and innovation.

Our surgeons are board-certified members of the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons, and focus solely on hip and knee arthroplasty—supported by a full multidisciplinary network (nursing, primary care/rehab, OR teams, physical/occupational therapy, allied health). The Section is rooted in both operative and non-operative care of hip and knee arthritis.

In addition to excellent clinical care, the Section emphasizes education and innovation. We partner closely with UAB’s engineering and biosciences communities, collaborate with industry leaders, and engage in translational research addressing clinically-relevant pathologies encountered in our regional patient population. The Section hosts a one-year Adult Reconstruction & Limb Preservation Fellowship designed for exposure to both primary and complex hip/knee cases—including revision and salvage procedures.

With the robust infrastructure of the Joint Replacement & Treatment Program at its core, the Section offers a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to build the next generation of care models, elevate the research agenda in hip/knee arthroplasty, expand fellowship and training platforms, and advance the Section’s national reputation.

Partner & Collaborator Ecosystem

The Section of Joint Reconstruction at UAB is positioned in an exceptional ecosystem of inter-disciplinary programs, institutional partnerships and research accelerators — offering the incoming Chief a robust platform to advance clinical innovation, build scholarship and shape next-generation joint care.

CAMBAC (Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone and Autoimmunity Center)

CAMBAC is a university-wide interdisciplinary research hub bringing together more than 135 faculty members from nine UAB schools, across 38 departments and 25 divisions. Its member-active funding is approximately $49 million (FY 25) and it hosts multiple NIH-training programs. CAMBAC offers a rich platform in arthritis, bone and musculoskeletal research — enabling the development of translational projects in arthroplasty biologics, implant outcomes, immunology in joint disease and more.

Vice-Chair, Research & Innovation: Dr. Hassan Ghomrawi, PhD, MPH

Dr. Ghomrawi serves as Vice Chair for Research & Innovation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and also as Associate Director of CAMBAC.

His research focuses include surgical outcomes, social determinants of health in hip and knee replacements, wearable-technology monitoring and large-scale analytics.

Under his leadership the department held its inaugural research retreat and is charting a strategy for national-level orthopaedic research growth.  For the Section Chief, this means access to leadership alignment, institutional momentum and opportunity for significant research expansion.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (BME)

The UAB Biomedical Engineering department offers strengths in implants/devices, biomechanics, computational modelling and regenerative engineering. These research vectors align directly with the mission of the Joint Reconstruction Section. Access to BME collaborators positions the Section to lead innovation in hip and knee arthroplasty technology, revision engineering, analytics and commercialization.

Clinical & Service-Line Integration

The Section is fully integrated into the broader UAB health-system network, including perioperative services, rehabilitation (physical/occupational therapy), anesthesia, imaging, rheumatology and primary/sports-medicine domains. This ecosystem supports optimized care pathways, referral growth, functional outcomes research and service-line innovation — all of which a Chief can lead and scale.

Additional Strategic Assets

• A strong arthritis/rheumatology program (via CAMBAC linkages) enhancing joint reconstruction research and care.
• A major regional referral network and large clinical volume to support outcomes research, registries and service expansion.
• Institutional support for device/implant pathways and translational innovation, giving the Section Chief a platform to drive commercial-academic initiatives.
• Momentum in outcomes/analytics initiatives (e.g., wearable technology monitoring in joint replacement) linked to Dr. Ghomrawi’s agenda.

Sports Medicine & Primary Care

UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine specializes in the evaluation, management, rehabilitation and prevention of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders across the lifespan. The program handles over 18,000 patient visits per year and serves as the official medical provider for more than 20 sports organizations.

The service offers a full spectrum of sports- and exercise-medicine care — including non-operative and surgical treatment, nutrition and performance support, orthobiologics, cardiovascular sports medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and preventive strategies.

A newly expanded comprehensive clinic (opened December 2023) features 22 exam rooms, two procedure rooms, dedicated imaging/ultrasound suites, and an exercise-rehabilitation space.

The multidisciplinary team includes physicians, athletic trainers, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, radiologists and pedorthists. They collaborate with the Departments of Family & Community Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation to deliver integrated care and support research and innovation initiatives.

For a Section Chief in Joint Reconstruction, the Sports Medicine & Primary Care program offers significant synergistic potential — from operative/non-operative management of hip and knee patients, to performance-based rehabilitation pathways, to collaborative research in joint function, biomechanics and return-to-activity outcomes.

Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

The UAB Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in patient care, research, and education related to rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Faculty and staff address complex clinical problems involving the joints, muscles, soft tissues, and connective tissues, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, vasculitis, gout, and other autoimmune conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.

Consistently ranked among the nation’s top clinical rheumatology programs by U.S. News & World Report, the division provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care through a multidisciplinary approach that fosters collaboration among specialists in rheumatology, musculoskeletal radiology, nephrology, and cardiology. The clinical practice manages more than 10,000 patient visits annually and integrates advanced imaging, infusion therapies, and access to the latest FDA-approved treatments.

The division is also home to the UAB Center of Research Translation on Gout and Hyperuricemia, supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Through this center and the UAB Gout Clinic at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, faculty lead innovative research and clinical programs aimed at improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Health System and University Overview

The UAB Health System is one of the largest and most dynamic academic health-care enterprises in the Southeast, anchored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and its Heersink School of Medicine. The system brings together high-volume clinical care, cutting-edge research, and educational excellence across Alabama and beyond.

Institutional & Health-System Context

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) health-system enterprise offers one of the most expansive platforms in the region for clinical care, education and innovation.

• The UAB Health System is a nearly $7.5 billion enterprise operating 133 locations and serving all 67 counties across Alabama and beyond.
• The flagship UAB Hospital in Birmingham is licensed for 1,207 beds, making it among the largest hospital facilities in the nation.
• The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine secured over $610 million in research funding in the most recent year, with NIH funding alone near $274 million, ranking among the top public medical schools nationally.
• UAB’s latest institutional research awards surpassed $774.5 million for the 12-month period ending September 2023.

Together, these metrics reflect the scale, breadth and growth momentum of the UAB ecosystem — providing the incoming Chief of the Section of Joint Reconstruction with a substantial and high-impact foundation for program growth, clinical innovation, education and research.

UAB Health System

UAB Health System is a rapidly growing $7B organization with more than 37,000 employees. Its headquarters along with its flagship academic medical center, UAB Hospital, are based in Birmingham, Alabama. UAB Health System is anchored by UAB Hospital, its 1,207-bed tertiary hospital and academic health science center. UAB Hospital is consistently among America’s best hospitals and with multiple specialties ranked annually by US News & World Report, is recognized annually as Alabama’s top hospital.  In 2022, UAB Hospital’s volumes exceeded 135,000 emergency room visits, 53,000 inpatient discharges and over 4,000 deliveries. UAB Hospital is a healthcare destination for the state and region and serves as the backbone of the healthcare system in the state of Alabama.

UAB St. Vincents Acquisition

In a transformative move, the UAB Health System Authority assumed ownership of the Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System as of November 1, 2024, adding multiple hospital campuses, clinics and freestanding emergency departments in the central Alabama region.  The acquisition broadens the referral geography and deepens the system’s outreach, further strengthening the foundation for advanced subspecialty care—including joint reconstruction.

This strategic acquisition significantly expanded the system’s bed-count, referral geography and community access, further strengthening the infrastructure for sophisticated subspecialty programs such as joint reconstruction.

With this breadth, the UAB Health System is positioned to support growth in service lines, enhance integrated care pathways, and provide longitudinal regional networks for referral, postoperative care, outreach and innovation.

UAB Heersink School of Medicine

The Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine at UAB is the academic cornerstone of the health-system enterprise. In 2023 it secured over $610 million in research funding, including nearly $274 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This robust research environment supports discovery, innovation and academic growth across clinical departments. For clinical-academic leaders, it represents a powerful platform to launch new programs, interdisciplinary initiatives and translational research.

The Heersink School of Medicine at UAB consistently ranks among the nation’s very best academic medical centers for research, education and clinical care. The school plays a central role in training the next generation of physicians and surgeon-scientists, offering MD, dual-degree, residency and fellowship programs across many specialties. This academic foundation provides a strong platform for subspecialty divisions—such as the Section of Joint Reconstruction—to flourish in clinical innovation, education and scholarship.

UAB Hospital & Clinical Infrastructure

The UAB Hospital, located in Birmingham’s medical district, is the clinical anchor of the health system, offering state-of-the-art facilities, high-acuity services and a robust referral base. It is a major center for research and academia and consistently recognized for its size and scope (approximately 1,207 licensed beds) and as a nationally-ranked academic hospital.

This infrastructure offers the incoming Section Chief a clinical platform with high volume, sophisticated care pathways, multidisciplinary teams and integrated education and research opportunities.

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.

Birmingham, Alabama

Location: Located in the heart of the Southeast, Birmingham is a short drive from Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, New Orleans, Memphis and Gulf Coast beaches. Some of the most beautiful suburbs in the United States surround the city. With its picturesque surroundings, Birmingham has been recognized as an “All American City”, one of the top ten American cities to live and work, and one of the top ten entrepreneurial and job growth hot spots in America. The combination of pleasant weather, geography, diverse culture, activities, and lifestyle make this city a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and practice medicine. In tandem with our institution’s strong diversity efforts, UAB highly encourages candidates from underrepresented minorities to apply.

Metropolitan Birmingham

Metropolitan Birmingham: is the cradle of the American Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham draws people from around the world to its inclusive communities, extraordinary lifestyle, excellent schools, and comfortable climate. The world’s best beaches, beautiful lakes, and Appalachian Mountains are a short drive away. UAB provides competitive salaries and generous benefit packages.

Downtown Birmingham has enjoyed a revitalization in the last two decades with the development of Railroad Park – an award-winning urban park – and its adjacent Regions Field, home to the minor league Birmingham Barons.  Birmingham also boasts the brand-new Protective Stadium, a state-of-the-art multipurpose stadium that is home to the UAB Blazers football program, the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions and the USLC’s Birmingham Legion FC.  Legacy Arena completed an extensive renovation in 2022 and is home to the Birmingham Squadron, the G league affiliation with the New Orleans Pelicans.  The park and stadium projects have spurred major growth in surrounding districts, including craft breweries, boutique shops, restaurants, loft and apartment developments, innovative workspaces, and hotels.  Because of this growth, and its sports history, Birmingham was selected to serve as the host city of the 2022 World Games and welcomed 375,000 spectators to watch the nearly 3,500 athletes from 99 nations compete in 223 medal events.

Birmingham is also a renowned culinary destination, with one of its signature restaurants recently winning two James Beard Foundation awards and many other restaurants named finalists.  Food critics across the country have discovered Birmingham’s food scene and consistently rank it as one of the best food cities in America.

There are a host of attractions only a short walk from UAB’s campus, the Birmingham Civil Rights District National Monument, comprised of sites such as the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and the Civil Rights Institute – a major destination for visitors from around the world.  Birmingham’s cultural scene is thriving with museums, numerous galleries, music and arts festivals, theaters and live music venues, professional ballet and opera companies, a School of Fine Arts, and the recent restorations of the historic Lyric and Alabama theaters.  The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Carver Theatre are completing restorations in the downtown entertainment district.

Birmingham is in proximity to many state and national parks, lakes, urban green spaces, hiking, and biking trails.  The city has more green space per capita than any other major city in the United States.

A full list of Birmingham Accolades can be found on the Birmingham Business Alliance website at:

https://www.birminghambusinessalliance.com/birmingham-accolades

How To Apply

The University of Alabama has retained the services of Academic Med to assist with this strategically important search. The search for this esteemed position is being conducted by Academic Med Principals, Gentry Zacheis & Jim Hagood. Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and three references to Jim Hagood, Managing Principal, at ji*@**********ed.com. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled with confidentiality.

Application Requirements:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

EEO/AA Statement

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.