Surgery-Surgical Director-Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support

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

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Temple Health is seeking an accomplished and visionary cardiac surgeon to serve as Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support. This is a unique opportunity to lead and further build a high-impact, mission-driven program within a dynamic academic health system serving one of the most diverse patient populations in the region. The Surgical Director will play a central role in shaping the future of cardiac surgical care at Temple Health, building upon a strong platform to grow heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and complex cardiac surgery. The program is well-positioned for expansion, offering the incoming leader the ability to drive strategy, enhance clinical capacity, and elevate regional and national prominence. As a quaternary medical center and destination cardiac program, Temple is committed to excellence in advanced heart failure therapies, supported by certification from The Joint Commission and CMS. The program is among the oldest in Philadelphia, with more than 1,000 heart transplants performed, over 120 thoracic transplants annually, and more than 80 mechanical circulatory support devices implanted each year. Candidates will join a high-performing team of eight cardiac surgeons, including six transplant surgeons, and will perform and oversee heart transplantation, including donation after circulatory death protocols, durable and temporary VAD implantation, and complex cardiac surgical procedures within a robust clinical and research environment. Working in close collaboration with the Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery and Chair of Surgery, this individual will lead a multidisciplinary team committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and equitable care delivery. The role offers the opportunity to develop top-tier surgical talent, expand referral networks, and implement forward-thinking clinical and operational initiatives. Temple Health is a progressive and innovative organization that consistently receives national and regional accolades for excellence in healthcare. Temple Health offers a highly collaborative environment with strong institutional support for programmatic growth, clinical research, and academic advancement. The Surgical Director will have the resources and infrastructure to advance cutting-edge therapies, participate in translational research, and contribute meaningfully to the education and mentorship of trainees. Ideal candidates will bring a track record of clinical excellence in cardiac surgery and heart transplantation, experience building or growing programs, and a passion for leadership in an academic setting. This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven leader to make a lasting impact on a rapidly evolving program while advancing Temple Health’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality care to the communities it serves.

Requirements

MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery (or equivalent)
Eligibility for unrestricted medical licensure in Pennsylvania
Demonstrated expertise in adult cardiac surgery, including complex cardiac procedures
Significant experience in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support (e.g., LVAD, ECMO)
Eligibility for appointment at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University at the Associate Professor or Professor level
Proven track record of strong clinical outcomes and commitment to quality and patient safety
Experience working within a multidisciplinary, team-based care model (cardiology, heart failure, critical care, anesthesia)
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic medical center or high-volume cardiac surgery program
Experience with program development, growth initiatives, or service line expansion
Commitment to teaching, mentorship, and academic advancement
Participation in clinical research, quality improvement, or innovation initiatives
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
Ability to work effectively in an urban environment

Responsibilities

Lead and further build a high-impact, mission-driven program within a dynamic academic health system.
Play a central role in shaping the future of cardiac surgical care at Temple Health.
Drive strategy, enhance clinical capacity, and elevate regional and national prominence.
Perform and oversee heart transplantation, including donation after circulatory death protocols.
Oversee durable and temporary VAD implantation.
Oversee complex cardiac surgical procedures within a robust clinical and research environment.
Lead a multidisciplinary team committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and equitable care delivery.
Develop top-tier surgical talent.
Expand referral networks.
Implement forward-thinking clinical and operational initiatives.
Advance cutting-edge therapies.
Participate in translational research.
Contribute meaningfully to the education and mentorship of trainees.