Section Chief

University of Illinois Chicago•Peoria, IL

12d

About The Position

The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP), Department of Pediatrics, seeks a nationally recognized pediatric cardiologist to lead its Section of Pediatric Cardiology. The Section Chief will grow the existing clinical programs, develop a strategy to achieve destination-program status and increase regional referrals, and sustain the section’s contributions to medical education. The leader will also advance clinical and translational research through institution-wide collaboration, developing and submitting a section research strategy within the first year that aligns with Department and Children’s Hospital of Illinois priorities. The section includes 10 physicians and four advanced practice providers, with programs in interventional cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, fetal cardiology, advanced imaging, preventive cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, neonatal care, and related services. The position offers an opportunity to lead in a blended academic and not-for-profit hospital environment, collaborating across the university, hospital, private-practice groups, and community. The new Section Chief will work with clinical, academic, research, and hospital leaders to expand services, strengthen the program’s regional and national reputation, and promote high-quality, safe, patient- and family-centered care. The clinical and research environment includes a high-volume cardiac catheterization laboratory, IAC-certified echocardiography services, cardiac MRI and CT, a pediatric and congenital cardiovascular surgical program, cardiac and neonatal critical care services, and an Advanced Imaging and Modeling lab. The Department of Pediatrics provides research coordination, biostatistics, epidemiology, grant-writing and mentorship support, and internal pilot-grant funding. UICOMP and Children’s Hospital of Illinois also offer opportunities for education, simulation, quality improvement, and research collaborations, including work in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The position is based in Peoria, Illinois. The budgeted salary range is $400,000 to $600,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience and subject to internal equity considerations. The position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents. For fullest consideration, applicants should apply by November 16, 2026.

Requirements

MD or DO degree.
Completion of both a pediatric residency and a pediatric cardiology fellowship.
At least 6 years of pediatric cardiology experience.
Board certification in pediatric cardiology.
Eligible for licensure in Illinois.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in pediatric cardiology.

Responsibilities

Lead the Section of Pediatric Cardiology faculty and advanced practice providers.
Advocate for and promote care for children with acute and chronic cardiac disorders and adults with congenital heart defects.
Provide consultation and support to hospital services assessing and stabilizing children with cardiac abnormalities in the hospital and across Central Illinois.
Provide regional consultation for physicians and patients with cardiac diseases and oversee regional expansion of cardiology programs and services.
Collaborate with pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic surgery, anesthesia, and cardiac critical care teams to develop coordinated care pathways for patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects and other disorders.
Collaborate with nursing leadership, echocardiography, the cardiac catheterization laboratory, radiology, and ancillary services to deliver high-quality, safe, individualized, patient- and family-centered care.
Sustain a supportive, collaborative environment for subspecialists and facilitate programs caring for high-complexity patients.
Support quality-improvement and safety initiatives within pediatric cardiology and the cardiac surgery program.
Work with the Children’s Hospital Chief Medical Officer and Director of Quality and Safety to ensure program outcomes and quality meet national peer benchmarks.
Support undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in the Department.
Work with the Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program Director to support and strengthen the fellowship program, and oversee faculty contributions to nursing, advanced practice provider, and transport-team education.
Develop a clinical research and innovation strategy for the section with the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery team, aligned with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois destination-program development strategy.
Promote research grant funding within the section to sustain its research infrastructure.
Perform university faculty duties, including committee assignments, curriculum development, and administration.
Grow the clinical programs and develop a strategy to promote destination-program status and regional referrals.
Develop and submit a section research strategy within the first year, aligned with Department and Children’s Hospital of Illinois research and innovation priorities.