Professor, Division Director - Internal Medicine-Rheumatology

The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Startup funding for research

Leadership incentives tied to performance

Job summary

A leading academic health center is seeking a Division Chief of Rheumatology to manage clinical operations and fellowship programs across multiple campuses in Southeast Texas. The candidate will focus on enhancing patient care and research in autoimmune diseases while collaborating with various specialties. This role demands strong leadership skills and a robust background in rheumatology, with ample opportunities for faculty development and research funding. Join us in making a significant impact in a vibrant community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical program development, education, or research.
• Track record of effective collaboration with administrative, clinical, and academic colleagues.
• Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for clinical operations across UTMB's multi-campus system.
• Oversee the ACGME-accredited Rheumatology Fellowship.
• Develop the division's research portfolio through collaborative opportunities.

Skills

Leadership in clinical program development

Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Mentorship and faculty development

Research portfolio development

Education

MD or DO degree from an accredited institution

Board certification in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology

Eligibility for medical licensure in Texas

Job description

Overview

Position Overview The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch seeks a Division Chief of Rheumatology to lead a clinical and academic division serving Southeast Texas through UTMB's growing multi-campus health system. The successful candidate will oversee clinical operations across multiple sites, direct an ACGME-accredited fellowship program, develop the division's research portfolio, and collaborate with departmental leadership to advance the tripartite mission of patient care, education, and investigation.

This position reports to Dr. Salim Hayek, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. The Division Chief will work closely with hospital leadership, fellow division chiefs, and interdisciplinary colleagues to position the division as a regional referral center for rheumatic diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Institutional Context

UTMB is a $3.5 billion academic health center established in 1891 as Texas's first medical school, comprising Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Public and Population Health, and a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. With $168 million in sponsored research awards, UTMB ranks 52nd nationally in NIH funding among medical schools and stands in the top 2 percent of institutions receiving NIH support. The institution operates four hospital campuses (Galveston, Clear Lake, League City, Angleton-Danbury) with over 1000 beds and more than 90 clinics serving a population exceeding 1.8 million across Southeast Texas. UTMB is the only academic health science center south of Houston and serves as the Level I Trauma Center for a nine-county region. Clinical strengths include quaternary care capabilities, comprehensive burn care through partnership with Shriners Hospital for Children, transplant services, and specialty medical care for a substantial portion of Texas's incarcerated population through the TDCJ Hospital partnership.

The main Galveston campus includes Jennie Sealy Hospital (310 patient rooms, with 60 dedicated ICU beds, completed 2016) and John Sealy Hospital, along with the verified burn center and the 172-bed Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital. UTMB houses the Galveston National Laboratory, one of two BSL-4 biocontainment facilities on a U.S. university campus, and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development. Research strengths include programs in microbiology and immunology, infectious diseases, anesthesiology critical care, and translational sciences. The Moody Brain Health Institute was established with a $25 million philanthropic commitment. UTMB is a member of the Houston-based Texas Medical Center and benefits from philanthropic support exceeding $50 million annually, including backing from the Sealy & Smith Foundation.

Department Overview

The Department of Internal Medicine is the largest department within UTMB’s John Sealy School of Medicine, encompassing divisions including Allergy and Immunology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, General Medicine, Geriatrics, Infectious Disease, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Nephrology, Palliative Care, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, and Rheumatology. The department operates a categorical Internal Medicine residency program with ~32 positions per cycle, and a combined Aerospace/Internal Medicine residency in partnership with NASA—the only program of its kind in the United States. Under the leadership of Dr. Hayek, who joined UTMB in 2024, the department emphasizes data-driven strategies, precision medicine, and integration of technologies including artificial intelligence into clinical operations. The department's mission encompasses excellence in patient care, robust training programs, and expansion of research across basic, translational, and clinical domains.

Division Strengths And Resources

The Division of Rheumatology currently includes faculty with expertise spanning the subspecialty's clinical and research domains. Division programs include:

• Comprehensive Clinical Services – consultative and longitudinal care for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, systemic vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome, inflammatory myopathies, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, and giant cell arteritis across multiple clinical sites
• Multi-Site Clinical Operations – rheumatology clinics operate in Galveston and League City, with opportunities to expand to Clear Lake and Angleton-Danbury campuses
• TDCJ Rheumatology Clinic – care to the incarcerated population at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration – collaboration with nephrology, endocrinology, dermatology, neurology, orthopedics, and other specialties, exposing fellows to interdisciplinary care models

The division operates an ACGME-accredited two-year Rheumatology fellowship that participates in the National Resident Matching Program. The program typically admits one to two fellows annually, with plans to expand as the faculty base grows. Fellows receive training in outpatient rheumatology, consultative services, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and subspecialty clinics, with opportunities for scholarly activity and research mentorship. The two-year structure provides first-year clinical training across Galveston and League City sites, with second-year fellows taking on leadership roles and expanded elective opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for clinical operations across UTMB's multi-campus system, expanding access to subspecialty rheumatology services
• Recruit, mentor, and retain clinical faculty to support service line growth and ensure sustainable coverage for consultative services and multidisciplinary clinics
• Collaborate with hospital leadership, primary care networks, and specialty services to optimize referral pathways for complex rheumatic diseases
• Maintain an active clinical practice in rheumatology appropriate to academic rank and administrative responsibilities

Educational Leadership

• Oversee the ACGME-accredited Rheumatology Fellowship, ensuring compliance with program requirements, supporting fellow recruitment, and maintaining match competitiveness
• Direct subspecialty education for Internal Medicine residents rotating through rheumatology services, coordinating didactic conferences, bedside teaching, and procedural instruction including joint examinations and arthrocentesis
• Foster faculty development in clinical teaching and provide mentorship for junior faculty pursuing academic promotion

Research And Scholarship

• Develop the division's research portfolio through identification of collaborative opportunities, mentorship of faculty investigators, and pursuit of extramural funding
• Leverage UTMB's research infrastructure to advance investigation in autoimmune disease mechanisms, novel therapeutics, and health services research
• Support quality improvement initiatives, outcomes research, and scholarly activity among fellows and faculty

Administrative And Strategic Responsibilities

• Manage division budget, optimize resource allocation, and work with departmental leadership on revenue cycle performance and payer contracting
• Participate in departmental strategic planning, faculty recruitment, and institutional committees
• Collaborate with nursing leadership, pharmacy, infusion services, and allied health professionals to ensure high-quality care including management of biologic therapies
• Foster relationships with regional referral networks to enhance UTMB's role as the academic medical center for Southeast Texas

Candidate Profile

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
• Board certification in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (or equivalent)
• Eligibility for medical licensure in Texas
• Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor at an accredited medical school, or qualifications consistent with appointment at this level at UTMB
• Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical program development, education, or research
• Track record of effective collaboration with administrative, clinical, and academic colleagues

Valued Experience

• Experience in multi-site or health system operations
• Advanced training or expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound, inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue diseases, or vasculitis
• Record of extramural funding from NIH, foundations, or industry sponsors
• Leadership roles in fellowship or residency education, including program director or associate program director experience
• Involvement in professional societies, editorial boards, or national committees relevant to rheumatology
• Experience with value-based care models, quality metrics, or population health initiatives
• Leadership development through structured programs

Compensation And Support

Compensation follows the Department of Internal Medicine Leader Compensation Plan and is benchmarked to the AAMC Faculty Salary Survey data aligned by rank. Total compensation includes a competitive base salary plus an at-risk leadership incentive tied to annual performance goals. A detailed Memorandum of Understanding will specify compensation structure, effort allocation, and performance expectations upon appointment. The Division Chief will have access to divisional administrative support and resources for faculty development. Protected time for research may be negotiated based on portfolio and grant support. Startup funding for research may be available depending on the candidate's program and priorities. UTMB offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas or Optional Retirement Program, and professional development support.

Location And Quality Of Life

Galveston Island (population ~50,000) is located 30 miles south of Houston. The region offers Gulf Coast beaches, water recreation, favorable climate, and historical charm with a comparatively lower cost of living while remaining close to Houston amenities. Houston provides cultural and recreational resources, with easy access to major airports for national and international travel.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application package including:

• Curriculum vitae with complete bibliography
• Leadership statement (2-3 pages) addressing experience in building rheumatology programs and expanding access to care
• Approach to expanding the rheumatology fellowship program and developing clinical services across UTMB's multi-campus system
• Vision for building research activities in autoimmune diseases or musculoskeletal disorders and strategy for extramural funding
• Philosophy on faculty recruitment, development, and retention in competitive markets
• Leadership approach to managing the tripartite mission and sustainable, equitable faculty workload
• Key institutional resources or support needed for success
• Three professional references with current contact information

Submit application materials to:

Brittany Belew
Business Operations Manager
[e-mail]

Initial inquiries are treated confidentially. Formal reference checks and finalist interviews will be conducted only with the candidate's explicit permission.

Salary And Equal Opportunity

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity: UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by policy or by law. UTMB Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and affirms affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Location United States-Texas-Galveston

Job Type Faculty

Organization UTMB Health