Abdominal Organ Transplantation- Chief

Temple University, Office of Physician & Faculty Recruitment•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Department of Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) and Temple University Hospital (TUH) invite applications for an experienced transplant surgeon to serve as Chief, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant , with a concurrent appointment as Surgical Director of Transplant . This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape and advance a comprehensive abdominal organ transplant program within a mission-driven academic medical center. The Abdominal Organ Transplant Service at Temple Health offers a comprehensive and growing transplant program, performing kidney, liver, and pancreas transplants, along with living donor nephrectomies, including procedures utilizing advanced robotic and minimally invasive techniques. The service also provides pediatric kidney transplant care in collaboration with a local pediatric hospital and plays a key regional role by supporting deceased donor organ procurement through coverage for the local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). Additional information about Temple Health’s transplant programs can be found here: Temple Health Transplant The Chief/Surgical Director will provide strategic and clinical leadership for the abdominal organ transplant program, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care and compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards, including UNOS/OPTN and CMS requirements. In the role of Surgical Director of Transplant, the successful candidate will oversee surgical quality, outcomes, innovation, and operational performance across the transplant service line, working closely with multidisciplinary partners to enhance access, efficiency, and clinical excellence. A central focus of this position is the continued growth and advancement of liver transplantation, including living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Experience leading, developing, or expanding a living donor liver transplant program is strongly desired. The Chief/Surgical Director will be expected to strengthen referral networks, improve organ utilization, and advance best practices in donor and recipient care while maintaining the highest standards of safety, ethics, and patient outcomes. Key priorities for this role include advancing the strategic growth and regional visibility of the abdominal organ transplant program; strengthening clinical quality, outcomes, and regulatory performance across all transplant services; and expanding liver transplantation with particular emphasis on living donor liver transplantation. Additional priorities include recruiting, mentoring, and retaining outstanding transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary faculty; fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture of excellence; enhancing education and training for medical students, residents, and fellows; supporting clinical research and innovation; and partnering closely with departmental, school, and health system leadership to optimize operations, access, and long-term program sustainability. The Chief/Surgical Director will recruit, mentor, and support a high-performing team of transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary faculty, fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement. The role includes oversight of education for medical students, residents, and fellows, as well as support for clinical research, innovation, and scholarly activity. Active participation in national transplant societies and professional organizations is encouraged. This position offers the opportunity to lead and grow a vital transplant program that serves a diverse patient population while advancing the academic, clinical, and community missions of Temple Medicine. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of emerging trends in Abdominal Organ Transplant and academic medicine, along with the ability to build strong relationships across institutional and community settings. Through visionary leadership, the intentional cultivation of a positive and inclusive departmental culture, and a steadfast commitment to Temple’s mission of service, the Chief/Surgical Director will guide the AOT program in delivering equitable, high-quality care and advancing the legacy of the University’s founding President, Dr. Russell Conwell.

Requirements

M.D. or equivalent
Board-certified in General Surgery with fellowship training in Abdominal Organ Transplantation
Eligible for an academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Strong record of clinical excellence, with significant experience in liver transplantation, including living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)
Demonstrate prior leadership experience in an academic or high-volume transplant program
Record of scholarship, research, innovation, and mentoring or education of medical students, residents, and fellows, along with experience in faculty development and team leadership
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal and organizational abilities, and a commitment to collaboration, quality, and patient safety
Eligible for medical licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Nice To Haves

Robotic/laparoscopic training/experience
Additional pertinent degrees (Ph.D., M.B.A., and M.P.H.) and/or fellowship training
Active participation in national and regional transplant organizations or committees is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and clinical leadership for the abdominal organ transplant program
Ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care and compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards, including UNOS/OPTN and CMS requirements
Oversee surgical quality, outcomes, innovation, and operational performance across the transplant service line
Strengthen referral networks
Improve organ utilization
Advance best practices in donor and recipient care while maintaining the highest standards of safety, ethics, and patient outcomes
Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary faculty
Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture of excellence
Enhance education and training for medical students, residents, and fellows
Support clinical research and innovation
Partner closely with departmental, school, and health system leadership to optimize operations, access, and long-term program sustainability