Chief Medical Officer

Ascension; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ascension's Dell Children’s Medical Center seeks a visionary Chief Physician Executive to lead physician governance, clinical leadership, and strategic development across the pediatric health system in Central Texas. The role reports to the President and aims to make Dell Children’s the most accessible pediatric health system in the region.

The CPE will oversee the pediatric healthcare continuum, drive service-line growth, and champion collaborations with the Pediatrician‑in‑Chief,

Qualifications

• MD/DO or equivalent medical degree required.
• Experience leading physician governance and clinical leadership at a hospital/health system.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical governance and physician engagement across the Dell Children’s enterprise.
• Develop and grow key clinical service lines to meet community needs.
• Drive access and growth to make Dell Children’s highly accessible to families in Central Texas.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Physician engagement

Governance

Healthcare administration

Education

MD/DO (or equivalent)

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Dell Children's is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic medical leader to serve as the Chief Physician Executive (CPE). Reporting directly to the President of Dell Children’s, the CPE will serve as the premier physician executive for the pediatric health system that is part of Ascension Texas. This leader must lead physician engagement and governance, champion the continued development of key clinical service lines, and drive the strategic vision to make Dell Children’s the most accessible health system for children and families in Central Texas.

• Location: Austin, TX
• Facility: Dell Children’s Medical Center
• Department/Specialty: Administration
• Incentive Programs: This position is eligible for participation in the annual bonus program.

How you’ll make an impact in this role

Dell Children’s:

The incoming physician leader will oversee clinical excellence across a rapidly expanding and highly accomplished pediatric health system in one of the fastest-growing regions of the United States. The Dell Children’s footprint includes:

• 335 licensed beds across two free‑standing pediatric hospitals.
• The region's only Level‑1 Trauma Center.
• 18+ regional clinics providing comprehensive, community‑based care.
• High‑volume clinical operations encompassing over 11,000 annual admissions and 12,000 surgeries.
• National Rankings: Nationally ranked in 6 clinical specialties for 2026‑2027, featuring 3 specialties in the Top 25 and 1 specialty in the Top 10.

Key Responsibilities & Strategic Objectives

• Clinical Continuum Leadership: Serve as the primary executive responsible for the pediatric healthcare continuum across the entire Dell Children’s enterprise. This requires seamless coordination and partnership with the Pediatrician‑in‑Chief and the Surgeon‑in‑Chief to ensure the delivery of high‑quality, fully integrated patient care.
• Physician Engagement & Governance: Lead and optimize physician governance structures. The physician leader will cultivate a highly engaged medical staff, aligning clinical workflows, quality standards, and strategic objectives across both employed and independent provider groups.
• Service Line Development: Support and accelerate the continued growth, maturation, and expansion of key clinical service lines to meet the evolving needs of the Central Texas pediatric population.
• Access & Growth: Champion operational and clinical initiatives designed to remove barriers to care, firmly establishing Dell Children’s as the most accessible pediatric health system in the region.

Network & Academic Partnerships:

As the external and internal face of pediatric clinical leadership, the chief physician executive will play a critical role in bridging Dell Children’s with key institutional partners:

• Ascension Network Integration: Represent Dell Children’s in critical clinical and strategic relationships across the broader Ascension network. This includes direct coordination with Ascension Texas Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and emergency departments to ensure unified pediatric care standards system‑wide.
• Academic Alignment: Serve as the central liaison in coordinating the strategic, clinical, and academic partnership between Dell Children’s and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, fostering an environment of medical innovation, research, and top‑tier clinical education.

#Le@der

What Minimum Requirements You’ll Need

Licensure / Certification / Registration

• Required Credential(s):
  • One or more of the following:
    • Dentist obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Optometrist obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Physician MD/DO obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Podiatrist obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.

Education

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Optometry (OD) or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) required.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer‑matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro‑rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension‑paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well‑being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military‑Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

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