Medical Director, Digestive Health Institute

Carle Health•Urbana, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Carle Health and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine are seeking an accomplished Gastroenterologist and Physician-Scientist to serve as the Medical Director of the Digestive Health Institute (DHI). This executive leader will be responsible for setting the strategic, clinical, and academic direction for digestive health across an integrated delivery system serving over 1.5 million people in Illinois. The role involves a joint appointment between Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Carle Health, with protected time for academic leadership, program building, and scholarship. The Medical Director will have the opportunity to evolve DHI by strengthening clinical operations, expanding regional access, recruiting and developing faculty and advanced practice providers, and establishing a unified culture of clinical and academic excellence. A competitive recruitment package will be provided, including the authority to expand the GI faculty, a startup commitment, and clear pathways to endowed professorships and named institute leadership. This position offers a unique platform to build a nationally recognized digestive health program that integrates clinical care, academic scholarship, education, and innovation. Research at Carle Health is closely aligned with clinical practice, facilitating the rapid translation of discoveries into patient care. The Medical Director will collaborate with colleagues across Carle Health and Carle Illinois College of Medicine to grow the GI faculty, expand subspecialty programs, and lead translational research at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and AI, leveraging resources from the Urbana-Champaign campus. Carle Health's investment in advanced imaging, including the Carle Illinois Advanced Imaging Center and the only clinically approved 7T MRI in Illinois, supports both research and clinical diagnostics. The Medical Director will also partner with Carle Health's philanthropy team to develop endowed support for digestive health, research, education, and innovation. Faculty are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary work that advances digestive disease care, cancer-related innovation, and technology-driven discovery.

Requirements

MD/DO with completion of accredited residency/fellowship, board certification in Gastroenterology.
10+ years of clinical GI practice and 5+ years of progressive physician leadership, or an equivalent record of national academic and clinical leadership.
Demonstrated experience leading a multi‑specialty digestive health group or clinical service line.
Background in clinical quality, credentialing, program development, and academic medicine.
Sustained record of peer-reviewed scholarship; extramural research funding (NIH, AHRQ, foundation, or industry-sponsored) and a faculty rank of Associate Professor or above are valued, though strong clinician-administrators with national recognition will also be considered.
Experience within an integrated delivery system preferred.
Healthcare management degree (MBA, MHA, MHCDS) or equivalent executive leadership experience welcomed; not required for candidates with a strong academic and operational track record.
Eligibility for Illinois medical licensure.

Nice To Haves

Faculty rank of Associate Professor or above are valued, though strong clinician-administrators with national recognition will also be considered.
Experience within an integrated delivery system preferred.
Healthcare management degree (MBA, MHA, MHCDS) or equivalent executive leadership experience welcomed; not required for candidates with a strong academic and operational track record.

Responsibilities

Provide executive physician leadership for gastroenterology and colon & rectal surgery services across Carle Health.
Oversee clinical operations, quality, patient experience, and growth across Champaign-Urbana and regional sites.
Recruit, mentor, and develop faculty and advanced practice providers, fostering a unified group practice culture.
Lead development of subspecialty programs, regional outreach, and integrated care pathways.
Strengthen collaboration with Carle Cancer Institute, hepato-pancreato-biliary surgical oncology, and medical oncology to advance integrated GI cancer programs, including clinical trial expansion and multidisciplinary tumor boards.
Expand extramurally funded clinical research, translational science, and medical education in partnership with the Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, the Cancer Center at Illinois, and Carle Illinois College of Medicine.
Advance AI, data science, and interdisciplinary partnerships to support clinical decision-making, workflow improvement, and personalized digestive health care.
Contribute to medical student and resident education within an engineering‑driven academic environment.
Partner with philanthropy to articulate a compelling vision for program growth, innovation, and investment.